Parents need to be registered and active parishioners for at least three (3) months prior to scheduling a baptism.

• Baptism instructions are required for parents and Godparents. These are usually held on the first Saturday of the month at 11:00 AM. Both parents and both Godparents are required to attend.
• Baptisms are usually held on the second Sunday of the month at 9:30 AM.
• Your physical address constitutes our parish. You may also live outside of our geographical boundaries, but you must be committed to registering with “a Church Parish” or Our Lady Queen of Peace. In order to be considered a parishioner of a Church Parish, you must be committed to a parish to raise your children as Catholics and to officially register with a Church Parish.
• In the event of a mixed religion marriage, the Catholic party must remember his/her commitment made to the Church at their wedding ceremony in promising to raise the children as Catholics.
• There is a $15 fee for Baptism.
• We will provide the baptismal candle for you to keep. You will also receive your child’s baptismal certificate, which is to be kept in a safe place.
• If the parents are unmarried, we will not be able to list the name of the father of the baby unless we receive either a copy of the State Certificate of Live Birth listing the father’s name or a legal copy defined by Canon law 877, which reads ‘the name of the father is to be entered if his paternity is established either by some public document or by his own declaration in the presence of the parish priest and two witnesses.’ This sworn statement must be notarized. Either one of the public documents must be provided at least two (2) weeks prior to the baptism taking place.
• Unless there is some danger to the child of the unmarried parents, it would be recommended there be a delay in baptism until the needed documentation is received; or, if the mother wants the child baptized sooner, the omitted information can be supplied later.
• According to the Tribunal Office of the Diocese of Lafayette and in accordance with Canon Law, we are unable to issue a revised Baptismal Certificate without showing the father’s name as it appears in our original records unless we are supplied newly issued Birth Certificates from the state with the father’s name change or proof of adoption by present husband.
• According to Canon Law, you are required to have at least one active, confirmed Roman Catholic Godparent over 16 years of age who is in good standing with the Church. If there are two Godparents, they must be of the opposite sex. If there is only one, a baptized Christian can serve as a witness. A baptized non-Catholic may be a Christian Witness for the baptism (which will be duly listed on the baptismal certificate) but he or she cannot be listed as a godparent. A baptized Catholic, who does not meet all the proper sacramental requirements of a Godparent, such as never being confirmed, having an invalid marriage, etc., cannot be listed as a Christian Witness.
• If you request a priest or deacon whose assignment is not in the Diocese of Lafayette, verification of the priest or deacon is required from the bishop of that celebrant’s Diocese, stating that the celebrant is in good standing. It is the responsibility of parents to obtain and present this verification to Our Lady Queen of Peace prior to scheduling the baptism.
• To register your child or to find out more information on Baptism classes, contact the office.

Baptisms by a priest or deacon are held on the second Sunday of each month at 9:30 AM. Please come into the office at least five weeks in advance to fill out the necessary papers and discuss date and time for Baptism class and Baptism ceremony.

Choosing a Godparent:

Parents of a newborn Catholic have a responsibility to baptize their baby and choose a Godparent. The Godparents stand with you to profess the faith of the child. This is a big responsibility. It should not to be taken lightly.

Godparent Requirements:

Canon Law 872-874 states specific requirements in choosing a Godparent. Only one is required, but having two are fine. However, the two Godparents must be of opposite sex. If there is only one, a Christian witness might be asked. A Christian witness needs to be a baptized Christian.

A Godparent is a Catholic who has received the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, Holy Communion, and Confirmation. A Godparent cannot be the baby’s mother or father. The Godparent must not be bound by canonical penalty, in other words, if the sponsor is married, he/she must be in a sacramental marriage/any sponsor must be able to receive Holy Communion. One must be mature and be sixteen or older. One must want to be a Godparent and must be willing to help teach the faith to the child, if necessary.

Godparents should be present at the Baptism class and ceremony to state their commitment. If a Godparent is unable to attend, a proxy can stand in his/her place. The Godparent’s name, and not the proxy, will appear on the Baptism Certificate and the Baptism Record (Register of the church). However, at least one Godparent must be present at the Baptism. They should be available to assist the parents and they should be close to the family. They need to be a good Christian example.

To request Baptism for your child, please print the following form and email it to KBabineaux-Belvin@msn.com

  Baptimal Request Form