Becky Davis, Saint Joseph Parish Family Ministries Coordinator, is the point of contact for your child's baptism.  She is looking forward to providing the details of the Baptism Pathway, and answering any questions you may have.  

To initiate contact with Becky, please either complete the Baptism Inquiry Form or email Becky at familyministries@stjosephmech.org.

We're excited to welcome you and your child into the Saint Joseph Parish family!  If you are not already registered at Saint Joseph, or if you are still under your parents' registration, please register here.

Anyone registered at another parish who would like to have their child baptized at Saint Joseph should contact Becky at familyministries@stjosephmech.org.

Please make arrangements with Becky to pick up your Starting Point Dream Journal, which you will use in discussions with your Mentor Couple.  Becky will also verfiy that you can access the Starting Point Baptism Preparation videos.  Once you have watched these videos, Becky will send you the name and contact information for your Mentor Couple.

You will be introduced to a trained Baptism Mentor Couple who is currently raising a family at Saint Joseph Parish.  Using the Starting Point online baptism preparation program by Dynamic Catholic, together you will explore:

• the Sacrament of Baptism... what is it and why is it important?
• how living your baptism promises will help you and your family grow in relationship with God through living the Catholic faith;
• how the dreams you have for your family can be realized through the promises you make on behalf of your child at their baptism;
• the joys and challenges of raising children in our current culture and the value of a faith lived through a parish community.

Becky will support you through the selection of your child's Godparents and the completion of the following paperwork:

• Baptism Registration Form
• Sponsor Certificates for Catholic Godparents - If the Godparents are members of Saint Joseph Parish, use this form.  Otherwise Sponsors should contact their home parish. 

• present a Sponsor Certificate from their home Catholic Parish;
• be practicing Catholics;
• be age sixteen or older;
• have been confirmed;
• if married, must have been married in accord with Church law (i.e. married by a Catholic priest or deacon, married by another minister with proper dispensation, or had marriage validated by the Catholic Church);
• participate in weekend Mass and receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion frequently; and
• keep the Holy Days of Obligation.

Once a date for the baptism has been selected, you will be given the contact information to arrange a time to meet with the priest or deacon who will be celebrating this special day with your family.  This pre-baptism meeting is an opportunity to ask any questions you may have about baptism, the baptism liturgy, the parish, etc.  The priest or deacon will have an opportunity to get to know you and your family,  and share how we as your parish family can help support your growth as disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Here at Saint Joseph, the Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated either at a Sunday morning liturgy or privately on a Sunday afternoon.  Your child's baptism date will be confirmed once the preparation process is completed. 

White clothing is traditional, but not required.

Baptism is an occasion to celebrate!  Please invite as many relatives and friends as you would like!

Once your child has been baptized, their faith journey is just beginning!  You will want to live and model the faith, supported by the many opportunities to worship, grow, serve, connect and give at Saint Joseph Parish.  

You will nurture your child on their discipleship journey, supported by Saint Joseph School or Saint Joseph Religious Education Program.  

If you are not yet Catholic, we would encourage you to explore our Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA) program.  If you were married outside of the Catholic Church, we can help you bring your Marriage into the Church through the process of Convalidation. 

Becky will help you find just the right next steps for you and your family!