If you are a parent with a child under seven and would like to have your child become a child of God through the Sacrament of Baptism, please follow these steps:

1. If not already registered, register with St. Anthony of Padua Parish (click on the Parish Registration form in the box to the right).  You must be registered and active in our database for three (3) months before a baptism can take place.
2. Attend Mass each week.
3. Complete the baptism registration form and submit online (click on the Baptisim Registration form in the box to the right) . A member of our staff will contact you with any questions and to set up your meeting with the Pastor.
4. Complete Sponsorship Eligibility form (click on the Sponsorship Eligibility Form in the box to the right) This form is to be completed by the child's sponsors and sealed by the sponsors' parish. Once completed, mail or drop off the original Sponsor Form at the Parish Office at least one week before your baptismal date.
5. Provide the child's original Birth Certificate. Our office will make a copy and return the original to you immediatly.

1. Attend a baptismal preparation class (see #3 above).
2. Obtain a letter from Fr Garry.

If the parents have a very special relationship with St Leo Abbey Church or at St Leo University Chapel, an exception may be made to do the baptism at one of these locations.  If approved, you will need to follow the same guidelines as St Anthony Church as they both reside within St. Anthony's parish boundaries.

• Baptism for children 7-12 years old: Contact Fr Garry to enroll in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults adapted for Children program.
• Baptism for teens in Grades 9-12: Contact Fr Garry to enroll in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults adapted for Teens program.
• Baptism for Adults: Contact Fr Garry to enroll in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) program.

"Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, every one whom the Lord our God calls to him."  (Acts 2:38-40)

Sacrament of Baptism

The Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist - are the foundation of the Christian life. 

~from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults 

The origin and foundation of Christian Baptism is Jesus.  Before starting his public ministry, Jesus submitted himself to the baptism given by John the Baptist.  The waters did not purify him; he cleansed the waters.  . . . Jesus did not need to be baptized because he was totally faithful to the will of his Father and free from sin.  However, he wanted to show his solidarity with human beings in order to reconcile them to the Father. By commanding his disciples to baptize all nations, he established the means by which people would die to sin – Original and actual – and begin to live a new life with God.  

The primary responsibility of raising a child in the ways of faith rests with the parents. This obligation begins with Baptism and extends all the way into adulthood. The Sacrament of Baptism celebrates the entrance of a new life into our Christian Community. 

If you are a parent of a child under the age of six and would like to have your child receive the Sacrament of Baptism, your first step is to become a member of St Anthony of Padua parish.  Our faith community is here to assist parents in your role as primary educators of your children in the ways of faith.

In Baptism, the Holy Spirit moves us to answer Christ's call to holiness. We are asked to walk by the light of Christ and to trust in his wisdom and to submit our hearts to Christ with ever deeper love.

Sacrament of Baptism Guidelines.10.27.2016

Baptism Guidelines 

• Complete Baptism Registration Form
• Provide the child's original Birth Certificate. Our office will make a copy and return the original to you immediatly.
• Godparent(s) Eligibility Letter
• If first child, participate in a Baptism Preparation Class  with the Pastor (individual basis)

After meeting with the Pastor, a date and time for the baptism can be set

A gift offering to the Priest or Deacon is only suggested; no family will be denied the Sacrament of Baptism for financial reasons. A gift offering is appreciated.

*If parents are divorced, proof of custody must be presented.  If the parent requesting baptism does not have custody of the child, they need to have permission in writing from the custodial parent.

The parents need to get permission in writing from their Pastor to have the child baptized at St. Anthony of Padua or the Abbey including date and time.

• Completed Baptism Registration Form from St. Anthony of Padua
• Provide the child's original Birth Certificate. Our office will make a copy and return the original to you immediatly.
• Godparent(s) Eligibility Letter
• Letter from Deacon or Priest requesting Delegation

Note: All arrangements and stipends for a Baptism at the Abbey are to be made directly with the Abbey, contact Brother Lucius at 352-588-8626. 

All paperwork is to be sent to the Church of Record, prior to requesting a date or time for a baptism at the Abbey.  Please forward to the Church of Record at the following address: 

Sponsor/Godparent Guidelines

Whenever a person is baptized, as an infant, as a child, or as an adult, there should be at least one (1) person who will act as sponsor for the one being baptized and that Sponsor must be an actively participating Catholic. 

Sponsors accept the responsibility of helping the person grow in the Catholic faith.  One who acts as a sponsor (Godparent) for an infant or child agrees to help the parents teach their child about the faith and how to live as a practicing Catholic.  One who acts as sponsor for an adult agrees to encourage and support the person, pray with and for the person, and offer whatever help, information, or spiritual support is needed to live out the rest of his or her life as a practicing Catholic. 

For a person to act as a sponsor for Baptism:

1. The sponsors must be Catholic.
2. Must be at least 14 years of age
3. Must already have received all the ‘Sacraments of Initiation’ (Baptism, Holy Eucharist and Confirmation)
4. Must be living in a way that demonstrates that one’s faith is strong enough to be able to fulfill the responsibilities involved with being a sponsor.
5. If the sponsor is married, he/she must be married in accord with the laws of the Catholic Church (cf.CIC, Can.874)
6. Sponsors must obtain from their home parish a Sponsor/Godparent Eligibility Letter. Eligibility letters must be sent to: