Please call the parish office to inquire about baptism.  

Congratulations on deciding to baptize your child.  It's the most important decision you will make in his or her faith life. Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism, we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church, and made sharers in her mission: "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word.

Baptismal Sponsor Form                  Formulario de patrocinador bautismal

The Ten Baptism Commandments  

1. Interview- The pastor requires an interview with parents before the baptism.  This can be done over the phone. 845.855.5488
2. Baptisms occur on the second and last Sundays.  Please do not ask for another day. Due to limited clergy numbers and time constraints, we can rarely accommodate a particular day of your choice except for grave reasons. The baptism times are set.   Other days can be considered if you have your own Catholic clergy member. 
3. COVID. Masks and proof of vaccination are not required. 
4. Age. Any child can be baptized up to their seventh birthday or the age of reason.  After that, they must enter into PREP for two years before being eligible for baptism. 
5. Class. First-time parents must take a class on the third Thursday of every month.  Parents should also memorize the Apostles Creed and have a basic understanding of their faith. It is strongly suggested that they watch The Search on Formed.Org.  To open a new account, search for the parts name, St. John the Evangelist-St. Charles Borromeo and link on through there. It’s a free account on this website.
6. Birth Certificate. Parents are to present the birth certificate to the parish either on or the day of the ceremony. If your child is adopted, you will also need the adoption papers.
7. Be Registered At Our Parish. Please register at our parish if you have not done so already. See the link about doing this. If you are registered with another parish and wish to baptize your child here, you will need a Letter of Freedom from the pastor or his designate stamped with the parish seal. This must be presented to the priest or deacon at the class or sent to St. John by mail or email.
8. No Fee Required.  No one will be denied baptism because they can't afford a donation. It doesn't work that way. But it is customary to offer a free-will offering to the parish. Remember that a parish is autonomous, so every little donation helps. When you donate for your baptism, you're assisting the parish so that others can have baptisms as well. The goal have baptisms contributions. We all work together to lift the Body of Christ, which is the Church! The most common fee is $50-$100. 
9. Saint Name. While it is not required please consider a Christian baptismal name if not already named that way. For example, if your child is named Simon, Martha, John, Bridget, Mary, Peter, etc., this name is acceptable for baptism.  On the other hand, if they have a pagan-type name such as Hunter, Sky, Flower, Blossom, or some other non-Christian name, they must take on a particular saint’s name or baptismal name. So Hunter Peter, Sky Therese, etc. This name is not a legal change of name but only a Christian one that will be noted in the sacramental record book of the parish. This name can also be used for their Confirmation name if they choose.  See https://www.catholicity.com/names/. Please choose only one name determined by the sex of the child at birth. 
10. Thank God For Your Child And Love Them Dearly By Raising Them In The Faith.

1. 16 years or older (14 in the Archdiocese of NY)
2. Must have received all three Sacraments of Christian Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and First Holy Communion
3. Registered members of a Catholic parish. They need to provide proof they are in full conformity with their faith. Most parishes have sponsorship certificate forms. Please have them call their home parish for this. No godparent or sponsor will be allowed to be one without this document.
4. Godparents cannot be the child’s parents, but they can be any other relative of the child, such as grandparents, siblings, etc.
5. Must be a Catholic. No exceptions! A non-Catholic Christian cannot be a godparent. Instead, they can be a Christian witness. But a child must have at least one Catholic godparent.
6. Catholics who do not practice their faith or attend another faith community cannot be a Christian witness or a godparent since they have apostatized from the Catholic Church.
7. Those of another religion can neither be a godparent nor a witness. These include Buddhist, Hindu, Islam, Jehovah's Witness, Judaism, Mormonism, Seventh-Day Adventist, Pentecostalism, atheists, and other non-Christian religions or sects.
8. Should be living a life of Christian virtue in conformity with the Church’s teaching on marriage, relationships, and faith, including:
   • Attending Mass every Sunday.
   • At the very least must complete their Easter duty by participating in Easter Sunday Mass, attend to the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, and receiving Holy Communion during the Easter Season.
   • Participate in the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation during Lent or Easter.
   • If married, it must be by a Catholic Sacrament or proper dispensation to marry a non-Catholic. State license only situations need to be discussed with the pastor.     
   • Not cohabitating, that is, living with someone who is not their spouse.
   • Not divorced and remarried outside the Catholic Church.
   • Have not attempted a sex change operation or changed sexual orientation.