Baptism

 Baptism of Infants

Infant baptism (up to and including 6 years of age) is generally celebrated on the 2nd and 4th Sundays each month at 1:00 PM except during Lent.   To hold a date for your child's baptism, you can call Darcy at (916) 624-5827 ext. 211 or email [email protected].  All paperwork and requirements would need to be completed at least 10 days prior to the baptism.

Due to the size of our parish, we do not offer private infant baptisms. Your child may be baptized with several other children.

Special Note: If you are having your child or godchild baptized  at another parish, you are still welcomed to attend our class IF you have a current relationship with SS. Peter & Paul or if you reside in the Diocese of Sacramento. After the class, you will be provided with written verification that you have attended, which you can then present to the church where the baptism will take place.
We do not charge a fee for our baptism class.

For more information on baptizing children at our parish, please download the document "Baptism Information" in the documents section to the left of this column.

Baptism of Older Children and Adults

The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) offers classes for adults and children aged 7 or older into full communion with the Catholic Church through the receipt of the sacraments of Christian Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist).

To learn more about receiving the sacrament of Baptism as an adult or child of catechetical age, visit the Christian Initiation page.

Godparents

The role of a godparent is to help you in raising your child in the Catholic faith as representatives of the faith community. We encourage you to choose godparents who will take their role seriously. Your child may have no more than two legal godparents. (Any others should be considered honorary godparents and they will not be a formal part of the ceremony or listed on the baptismal certificate). If there are two godparents, then one must be male and the other female. Godparents must be at least 16 years of age and at least one  of the godparents must be a confirmed Catholic. If a child is being baptized at our parish, at least one godparent will need to have attended a baptism preparation class within the last three years.  They can attend the one we offer at SS. Peter & Paul or at a parish of their choice. (Written verification of class attendance will need to be turned in with the other baptism paperwork.) One godparent will also need to have a "Certificate of Godparent Eligibility" form completed by the parish at which the Godparent is registered.  This form indicates to us that the godparent chosen is actively living out his or her faith.

Special Note:  If you have been asked to be a godparent of a child being baptized at another parish, you are welcomed to attend our class.  After the class, we will provide written verification that you have attended. We do not charge a fee for our baptism class.

Baptism Preparation Class

Both parents and at least one godparent must attend a Baptism Preparation Class prior to a child's baptism.  If the baptism is occurring at our parish, parents are required to have attended the class within the last 3 years and provide written verification.  Godparents must also have attended a class within the last 3 years and provide written verification of their attendance.  (If you believe that you have attended a class within the last 3 years at SS. Peter & Paul, please call Darcy at (916) 624-5827 ext. 211 or email [email protected]  to confirm that the requirement has been fulfilled.)  

Our baptism preparation classes are held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM ONLINE via Zoom for both parents and godparents.  RSVPs are required.  Current and upcoming classes appear in the Calendar.  If a godparent is not able to attend at SS. Peter & Paul, they may arrange to attend a similar preparation class at a parish of their choice and provide verification of attendance. They will also need to provide a completed "Certificate of Godparent Eligibility" form.  To register for an upcoming class,   Contact Us  or submit the following.