Our Lady Queen of Martyrs celebrates infant Baptism on the first Sunday of each month after the 1 PM Mass. The usual start time is 2:30 PM. Baptisms are done in groups, several families at one time. Note: We do not allow professional photographers in the church for Baptism ceremonies.
To Schedule a Baptism
Parents must live within the canonical territory of the parish. Parents must also fill out our registration form. (Note that all information on this form will be reflected in the Baptismal Certificate and Official Church Record.)
BAPTISM REGISTRATION FORM (PDF)
This form can be filled out in your browser, saved as a pdf and printed, then returned during your in-person meeting.
To schedule baptisms for the following month, we need to meet briefly, in person, with each family (or at least one parent) to go over the protocols, make sure the paperwork is in order, and answer any questions.
Baptism intake sessions are held on the first Saturday of each month at 9:45 AM in the rectory office. (So, for example, to request a baptism in July, come by the rectory office the first Saturday in June.) To make requests, please email baptismprep@olqmchurch.org.
Documents: Parents must bring to the office meeting:
- A copy of the baby’s birth certificate.
- A baptism certificate for one of the godparents (to verify that they are Catholic).
- The completed registration form (downloadable from the link above).
- If you live within another parish’s geographic boundaries, you need a letter from your pastor giving his consent for the baby to be baptized at OLQM (unless you are registered at OLQM).
Godparents: In accordance with Canon Law, there must be one godmother and one godfather. Both godparents are expected to be baptized and confirmed Catholics at least 16 years of age. However, we understand that family circumstances may vary, and this may not always be possible. Church law nonetheless requires that at least one godparent is a baptized and confirmed Catholic who must provide either their baptismal certificate or a letter of suitability from the pastor of their Catholic parish. The other witness to the baptism, if not Catholic, must be a Christian. Those who are non-Christian are unable to fulfill either position.
Baptism Class: In preparation for the baptism of their child, parents are required to attend a baptism class on the Sunday before the baptism. The class is usually at 2:30PM, lasts approximately 45 minutes, and is held in the church or the rectory basement meeting room.
Fee: The suggested offering is $100. Checks may be made out to Our Lady Queen of Martyrs. Please bring this donation to the baptism class.
What Parents Need to Know about Catholic Baptism
What Parents Need to Know about Catholic Baptism
Parents presenting their child for Catholic Baptism assume a significant responsibility in the decision to have the child baptized in the Roman Catholic faith. Catholic Baptism is much more than a cultural or social ritual. It is a highly significant event that represents a faith and value decision that parents have made on behalf of their child. It means that parents have chosen for the child the direction of growing up in the Catholic religion.
Having made that choice, parents are encouraged to evaluate their own personal commitment to the Catholic Faith and its practice. Parents should create an atmosphere in the home of religious faith and practice so that their children, even in the early years, can gradually make their own the religion into which they have been baptized.