Baptism Preparation

Baptisms are held on the second and fourth Sundays at 12:45 p.m. at Saint Alphonsus and any Sunday at
11:30 a.m. at Saint Alexis.  To arrange a baptism please contact click on the "REQUEST FORM" at the top of the home page on this website and fill out the request.  I you have any questions, please contact the parish office at 724-935-1151 or 724-935-4343.

Pre-Baptism Preparation Class

Parents must take a pre-baptism preparation class. At Saint Alphonsus, these are held on the second Monday of even-numbered months (February, April, June, August, October, December) from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m. in the school. At. Saint Alexis the classes are held on the third Thursday of every other month (Janusary, March, May, July, September, and November).  Please call the parish office at 724-935-4343 or 724-935-1151 to
pre-register for a class. Parents who have previously attended classes do not need to attend again unless it is longer than 3-1/2 years since your class.

Couples should attend this class before the baby is born. It is suggested that the child be baptized as soon as possible.

Classes may be taken at any Catholic parish. 

Selecting A Godparent

Since baptism is the initial, foundational sacrament in the life of a Catholic, great care must be taken in deciding who will serve as a godparent.

The selection of a godparent should be based upon who would provide the best example of Catholic living for the child and not merely for reasons of maintaining family harmony. A godparent is chosen for the well-being and faith development of the child.

These guidelines are meant to assist parents in making a decision as to who will fulfill this critical role for their child.

• To be a godparent for baptism, an individual must be a practicing Catholic, at least 16 years of age and have received the Sacraments of Initiation (i.e. Baptism, Holy Communion and Confirmation).
• If this person is married, then the marriage must be a valid, sacramental marriage (i.e. one recognized and blessed by the Catholic Church).
• The potential godparent must be registered in a Catholic parish and able to obtain from his or her parish priest a letter of eligibility to be a godparent.
• Only one godparent—a man or a woman—is required by church law. However, if two godparents are selected (the more common practice), then there must be one man and one woman chosen. In other words, a child cannot have two men or two women as godparents.
• In extraordinary situations when two Catholic godparents cannot be found, then a baptized person who belongs to another Christian denomination (e.g. Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian) may serve as a Christian Witness. However, former Catholics who have left the Catholic Church for another Christian denomination are not permitted to serve as Christian Witnesses.

The above information on godparents is provided by the Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church and, as such, may not be changed.