Requirements for Parents

• Parents must attend a Baptism Preparation Course In-Person.  
  • If the parents have attended a baptism class in the past 2 years, they can provide the certificate of completion by emailing it to [email protected] to be exempt from retaking the class
• Parents must provide a copy of the birth certificate of the child to be baptized. 
• If the parents are members of another Catholic parish, they must bring a letter from the respective parish stating that they have permission to baptize the child at St. Mark.

Requirements for Godparents

• Only one godparent is necessary. The godparent(s) must be a fully initiated Catholic (baptized, confirmed, received Eucharist), at least 16 years old, and must be leading a sacramental life in harmony with the church (cf. CIC canon 874). Maximum of 2 Godparents per child.
• If there are two godparents, one must be male and the other female. There cannot be two male godparents or two female godparents.
• They should attend Sunday Masses and holy days,  live a life according to the teachings of the Catholic Church, and if they are not registered at St. Mark, they need to provide a letter from their parish along with the other required documents (copy of the confirmation certificate, if single or a copy of the Catholic marriage certificate, if married) stating they are registered members of the parish they attend.
• If the Godparent(s) is single, meaning not married nor living in common-law with somebody, he/she must provide a copy of their Certificate of Confirmation from the Catholic Church
• If the Godparent is married, he/she must provide a copy of the Catholic Marriage Certificate (must have received the following sacraments: baptism, first communion, confirmation, and marriage)
• The godparent may not be the father or the mother of the one to be baptized (cf. CIC canon 874).
• A baptized and believing Christian from a separated church or community may act as a Christian witness at the request of the parents, but there must be a Catholic godparent. A lapsed Catholic should not be a Christian witness (cf. CIC canon 874).
• Godparents should attend a Baptismal Preparation Course In-Person in order to better understand their role as godparents. Such preparation also provides opportunity for renewal of, and new understandings about, the Catholic faith.
• Unfortunately, we cannot accept godparents who:
  • are not Catholic
  • are under the age of 16
  • are living with their partner under common-law, meaning without being married through the Catholic Church
  • are married outside of the Catholic Church

Parents and godparents are required to attend a Baptism Preparation Class before the celebration of the sacrament. This class is designed to help you better understand the meaning of Baptism, the promises being made, and the important role faith plays in your child’s life.

Class Information

Location

McGivney Hall St. Mark Parish Center
1105 W. 15th St. Plano, TX 75075

(Located across from Hallmark and Michaels, next to Prosperity Bank.)

Required Parent Documents

Parents must provide:
• Child’s Birth Certificate

• Baptism Class Certificate

Required Godparent Documents

•Letter of good standing (If not a parishioner of St. Mark) 

Once all preparation steps have been completed and all required documents, certificates, and forms have been submitted, our Parish Life Office will contact you with a link to schedule your child’s baptism date.

Please note that all paperwork must be submitted at least 30 days before selecting a baptism date.

Baptisms are typically celebrated on Saturdays at 10:00 AM, though some liturgical and secular holidays may affect the schedule.

Please do not make travel arrangements or send invitations until your baptism date has been officially confirmed.

Additional details and instructions about the baptism celebration will be provided when you receive the scheduling link.

We are excited to celebrate this special moment with you and your family as you take this next step in your journey of faith within our parish community and the Catholic Church. Please let us know how we can support you along the way!