Infant Baptisms (Ages 0-7)

Frequently Asked Questions about Godparents

St. Joseph Church is happy to provide your child with the Sacrament of Baptism. Here at St. Joseph Church, we prepare and baptize infants quarterly (4x a year). There are usually 2 (two) sessions at the beginning of the year, and 2 (two) towards the end of the year. Our next session information is listed below. 

Parents & Child:

1. At least one parent, rather the mother or the father, must live within our St. Joseph Church boundaries, or be a registered parishioner of our parish. If not they must get a written letter of permission from their respective Catholic Church before proceeding with preparations. See Parish boundaries here.
2. Parents must have the long-form birth certificate of the child. The child must be under the age of 7.
3.  The mother or the father are the only ones who can register the child. Please download the application, fill it out in its entirety, and bring it to the parish office. You must present the long-form birth certificate of the child along with your application. No copies will be accepted. The Parent Oath section of the application must be signed at the parish office. Click here for the application. 
4. Parents must take 6 (six) hours of Pre-Baptismal Preparation Classes. Classes are offered at St. Joseph Church and a class schedule will be to baptize at St. Joseph Catholic Church.   The dates and times of the classes will be given to you at the time of registration.

1. Godparents must be active Catholics and have their Sacraments of Baptism, Communion, and Confirmation. If they are married they must be married by the Catholic Church. If single, they must not be living or cohabiting with anyone. No Exceptions.
2. Although it is preferred to have two (2) Godparents, a male, and a female, only one (1) Godparent is necessary.
3. A godparent must attend Pre Baptismal Preparation Classes. If they live in the area (the RGV), they must attend classes at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with their parents. If they live outside the Rio Grande Valley, they must take Baptismal Classes at their local parish. They must submit to the office a written letter or certificate from the parish in which they took classes. Call the parish office for more information or if you have any questions.

ALL LETTERS OR ITEMS ARE TO BE TURNED IN BEFORE CLASSES BEGIN.

NEXT BAPTISM SESSION: SEPTEMBER 2023 
TO BAPTIZE: SEPTEMBER 9, 2023

REGISTRATION WILL BEGIN: TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2023
REGISTRATIONS WILL END ON: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2023, OR UNTIL THE LIMIT HAS BEEN MET.

CLICK HERE FOR THE APPLICATION

PLEASE PRINT THE APPLICATION AND FILL OUT ALL AREAS. ONCE COMPLETE TURN IT INTO THE PARISH OFFICE IN PERSON WITH YOUR CHILD'S BIRTH CERTIFICATE.

ONLY THE CHILD'S PARENTS (MOTHER OR FATHER) CAN TURN IN THE APPLICATION AND REGISTER THE CHILD. 

ALL APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVE MANNER. WE HAVE A LIMIT OF 12 FAMILIES PER SESSION.

CLICK HERE FOR THE APPLICATION

Please call the parish office for more information.