The Parish where your child was baptized is referred to as the "Parish of Record." This is the Parish
that is responsible for keeping a record of the Sacraments of Initiation (such as Eucharist) for each of their baptized members. Once your child celebrates First Eucharist, the Parish of Record must be
informed. We use the Baptism Certificate to identify the Parish of Record.
Maybe. The Office of Lifelong Faith Formation has begun scanning Baptism Certificates into our
computer files. It's possible that yours is such a certificate. However, certificates submitted before 2013
may not be available. Suffice it to say, if we can't find a copy of the certificate in our records, yes, you'll
need to submit a new copy. Same is true for certificates submitted to the school.
No, please don't give us your original. You can scan and email us a copy.
As long as you can give us the date (usually the year is sufficient), we can look up the record in our
Parish's Book of Records. However, given that the Book of Records is handwritten and subject to human errors and omissions, there's still the slight possibility that we'll need you to provide a copy of your child's Baptism Certificate. Bottom line: store those certificates where you save your other important papers; it'll make life easier for all.
If your family is not listed in our Parish Database, you're not considered registered parishioners. Because Sacraments are celebrated as part of a parish community, parish registration is a requisite step in preparing to receive First Eucharist.
If you've been inactive for a certain period of time (ie. not involved in a parish ministry or no longer
using your offertory envelopes), your parish membership may have been deactivated. Re-activating is as simple (and necessary) as completing a Parish Registration Form.
Boys are asked to wear slacks and a dress shirt. Ties and jackets are optional. No tennis shoes. Girls are
asked not to carry purses, nor wear gloves. Girls may wear sandals or closed toed shoes; tights, socks, or be bare-legged; veil or crown; tea length or full-length dress. Neither boys nor girls should carry anything -- no rosaries, no prayer books, nothing to fiddle with.
No, but there will be ample time for photos on the Plaza and following Mass.
You can retrieve your child's or youth's banner after the Mass; you'll find it adorning the front of the pews
in the Sanctuary.