Baptism (Infants to Age 6)

Baptisms for ages 0-6. please contact Briana Manzanares at 559 434-7701 or [email protected]
Baptisms for ages 7-17, please contact Kate Mallam at 559 434-3522 or [email protected]
Baptisms for ages 18+, please contact Deacon Pete Marquez at 559 434-7701 or [email protected]
​Parish Requirements/Guidelines for the Rite of Infant Baptism
We are excited that you have chosen to have your child baptized here at Holy Spirit, and we look forward to helping you bring your child into the Catholic Faith. Infant Baptism is for children from newborn to age 6. If your child is 7 years old or older, please contact the Religious Education office at (559) 434-3522.  The following are requirements for parents and godparents:

  • There must be a founded hope that the child being baptized will be brought up in the Catholic religion
  • Prior to scheduling a baptismal date, parents must attend a baptism preparation class
  • Requests for baptism may only be made by a child’s parent or legal guardian
  • Non-parishioners must provide a letter of permission from their home parish
  • A godparent must be a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church
    • They must have received the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Holy Communion, & Confirmation)
    • If they are married, they must be married in the Catholic Church
    • You may have two godparents, one male and one female
  • In addition to a qualifying godparent, a non-Catholic may stand up with the parents at the baptism, but their name will not appear on the certificate. They will be considered a “Christian Witness”
  • Catholics are not eligible to be a "Christian Witness"
  • Godparents must attend a baptismal preparation class, either here at Holy Spirit or through another church
 
Scheduling the Rite of Baptism
To schedule a baptism, please contact the parish office and arrange the date and time for the baptism of your child. These dates have been prescheduled on the parish calendar and are reserved on a first come, first served basis. The following are general guidelines for the scheduling of an infant baptism:

  • Baptisms are generally scheduled at 10:00am on Saturdays.
  • Baptisms take place in the parish church.
  • Children are encouraged to come dressed in a white garment to the baptismal ceremony.
  • Father/Deacon will not completely immerse the infant into the church baptismal font unless arranged specifically by the parents prior to the ceremony.  Water from the font will be poured over the head of the infant or child.
  • A special Baptismal candle will be furnished by the parish to the family of each child.
  • An official Certificate of Baptism will be provided to the parents after the ceremony.
  • Parents may make a suggested donation of $50.00 to the parish office prior to their child’s baptism.
ARTICLE 1
THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
1213 Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua),(4) 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."(5)

​(4) Cf. Council Of Florence: DS 1314: vitae spiritualis ianua.
(5) Roman Catechism II,2,5; Cf. Council Of Florence: DS 1314; CIC, cann. 204 § 1; 849; CCEO, can. 675 § 1.

Godparents

Godparents must be practicing Catholics who are at least 16 years of age and must have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation.  If married, the godparent must be married in the Catholic Church or have had their marriage blessed by the Catholic Church.
Scheduling the Rite of Baptism
After completion of the parish preparation class by the parents, they should contact the parish office (559 434-7701) to arrange the date and time for the baptism of their child. These dates have been pre-scheduled on the parish calendar and are on a first come, first served basis; we cannot guarantee that a desired date will be available. The following are general guidelines for the scheduling of an infant baptism:
  • Baptisms are held at 10:00 AM on a pre-selected Saturday with consideration to the parish calendar.
  • Water from the font will be poured over the head of the infant or child.  Father will not completely immerse the infant into the church baptismal font unless arranged specifically by the parents prior to the ceremony. 
  • An official Certificate of Baptism will be provided to the parents after the ceremony.
  • If possible, parents may make a donation to the parish at the time of their child's baptism or anytime prior.
  • Any additional offering may be given to the clergy.
**Again, please be aware that...
  • We do not hold baptisms during the seasons of Lent or Advent.
  • There is a limit to the number of children that will be baptized on each pre-scheduled Saturday.
  • Baptisms are scheduled on a first come, first served basis after the parents have completed the baptismal class.
  • We cannot guarantee that a desired date will be available.

Class Schedule

Holy Spirit Baptism Classes are held in person at 7:00 PM in Msgr. Logan Hall, except as noted below,
on the following dates.  Please, do not bring children to this class.

​2024
Baptism Class Schedule

 January 16            Tuesday              Parish Hall           7:00-8:30 pm
February 29           Thursday           Parish Hall            7:00-8:30 pm
March 19              Tuesday               Parish Hall            7:00-8:30 pm
April 17                Wednesday          Parish Hall            7:00-8:30 pm
May 30                 Thursday              Parish Hall            7:00-8:30 pm
June 3                   Monday                Rooms 3/4             7:00-8:30 pm
July 29                  Monday                Parish Hall            7:00-8:30 pm
August 21             Wednesday          Parish Hall            7:00-8:30 pm
September 17        Tuesday              Parish Hall            7:00-8:30 pm
October 9              Monday                Parish Hall            7:00-8:30 pm
 
Please make babysitting arrangements for your children as there is a lot of material to cover in the class.
Note:  All classes are held at Holy Spirit Church in the Msgr. James T. Logan Hall unless notified otherwise.
 Email [email protected] to register for a class.
​(Classes begin promptly at 7:00 PM. Please arrive 10-15 minutes early to sign in and find a seat.)
Please be aware that we can not give you credit for attending the class if you do not sign in or if you arrive late.
Holy Spirit Catholic Church
355 East Champlain Drive
Fresno, CA  93730-1273
(559) 434-7701 office / (559) 434-7734 fax
Please Note:
If the parents or godparents have taken a Baptism Class within the past 5 years, you will not have to take another class prior to the child's baptism.  You must provide Holy Spirit with written proof from the parish from which the class was taken.  Contact us if you have any questions.