#1 - First-Time Parents who were married in a Catholic Church
#2 - First Time Parents who were not married in a Catholic Church
#3 - Parents who have already had one or more children baptized 

#1 - First-Time Parents Married in the Catholic Church.
 First-time parents married in the Catholic Church who are planning to have their first child baptized at St. John’s must take part in a Baptismal Preparation Class which is held on the first Sunday of each month at 12 p.m. in the Parish Center.  You may sign-up for this class by contacting the parish secretary at 978-368-0366 x201. 
Regarding Godparents: Please complete and return by email, fax or hardcopy the GOD PARENT FORM below at least one week prior to the Sunday preparation class.  Before choosing two Godparents (or one Godparent and one sponsor) for your child, please be sure that they fulfill the requirements found on the form or are able to procure a letter in these or similar words from their pastor attesting that they are qualified.  After attending the baptismal preparation class, parents may contact the parish secretary to choose a date for the baptism.  Baptisms are held on Saturdays at 1:30pm or 5:15pm.


#2 - First-Time Parents Not Married in the Catholic Church.
 We warmly welcome you to meet with the pastor of St. John’s Church to learn God’s most beautiful and magnificent gift of Baptism.  Please contact the parish secretary at 978-368-0366 x201 to begin the paperwork. 
Regarding God Parents: The GODPARENT FORM below must be completed and returned to the secretary prior to your meeting with the pastor.  Before choosing two Godparents (or one Godparent and one sponsor) for your child, please be sure that they fulfill the requirements found on the form or are able to procure a letter in these or similar words from their pastor attesting that they are qualified. 
If the parents of a child are not married, a copy of the child’s birth certificate is required for a baptism to take place.
 
As St. Gregory of Nazianzus stated, “We call it gift, grace, anointing, enlightenment, garment of immortality, bath of rebirth, seal, and most precious gift. It is called gift because it is conferred on those who bring nothing of their own; grace since it is given even to the guilty; Baptism because sin is buried in the water; anointing for it is priestly and royal as are those who are anointed; enlightenment because it radiates light; clothing since it veils our shame; bath because it washes; and seal as it is our guard and the sign of God’s Lordship.”

#3 - Parents Who Have Already Had One or More Children Baptized
 Please call the parish secretary at 978-368-0366 x201 to begin the paperwork and choose a date.  Baptisms are held on Saturdays at 1:30pm or 5:15pm.
Regarding Godparents: Please complete and return by email, fax or hardcopy the GODPARENT FORM below at least one week prior to the scheduled baptism.  Before choosing two Godparents (or one Godparent and one sponsor) for your child, please be sure that they fulfill the requirements found on the form or are able to procure a letter in these or similar words from their pastor attesting that they are qualified. 
If the parents of a child are not married, a copy of the child’s birth certificate is required for a baptism to take place.