The Sacrament of Baptism
Baptism is the first of the three Sacraments of Initiation and the gateway to all the sacraments in the Catholic Church. Through Baptism, the effects of Original Sin—introduced by the sin of Adam and Eve—are washed away, and the individual is welcomed into the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ on earth.
At Saint Clare of Assisi, the Sacrament of Baptism is typically celebrated on the first Sunday of each month (except during Lent or as otherwise noted on the Baptism application) following the 11:00 a.m. Mass. In exceptional circumstances, alternative times may be considered.
Because parents vow before God and the Church to raise their child in the Catholic faith, they are asked to demonstrate this commitment by:
- Being registered parishioners
- Attending Sunday Mass regularly
- Offering financial support to the parish for at least three months prior to requesting Baptism
For questions or to begin the process, please email Father West.
Baptism Preparation
Godparents are required to participate!
Parents preparing for the Baptism of their first child (including those expecting) are required to attend three 60-minute preparation classes. Classes are conducted via Zoom on Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m.
To sign up for a class series, please complete the Baptism Prep Registration Form in addition to the Application for Baptism. Once submitted, our instructor will contact you with further details and the Zoom link. For questions, feel free to call the parish office at 843.471.2673.
2026 Baptism Prep Dates
Ready to schedule baptism? Please complete the Application for Baptism.
Godparent Requirements
The role of a Godparent is a sacred and serious responsibility. A Godparent serves as a lifelong spiritual role model for the child, faithfully living out the Catholic faith and supporting the child’s growth in Christian life.
How Many Godparents?
- A child may have one or two Godparents.
- If there are two, one must be male and the other female.
- Only one Catholic Godparent is required.
To Serve as a Godparent, One Must:
- Be a fully initiated Catholic (Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation)
- Be at least 16 years old on the day of the child’s baptism
- Be registered and actively practicing in a Catholic parish
- Be able to provide written certification from their pastor
- If married, be married within the Catholic Church or have a marriage recognized by the Church
- Attend or provide proof of having attended a baptism preparation course for godparents.
There are no exceptions to these requirements.
A baptized non-Catholic may serve as a Christian Witness (Catholics may not). The Christian Witness is not a godparent and has no official status other than observer. Proof of baptism of the Christian Witness must be provided to the parish offices.
Online Option for Godparent Preparation
If a godparent candidate is unable to complete Saint Clare of Assisi’s in-person preparation course (for example, due to distance or last-minute scheduling conflicts), our parish accepts the Godparent Preparation Course from CatechismClass.com as an alternative. This self-paced online course costs $49.95 and covers the same essential topics required by the Church.
Upon completion, please provide the course certificate to the parish office so it can be included in your child’s baptismal file. If you have questions about this option, please email Father Gregory West or call the parish office at 843.471.2121.
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