Preparing for your child's baptism

Congratulations on the upcoming baptism of your child! ​Celebrating this Sacrament confirms commitment to your Catholic faith. ​St. James Cathedral is excited to journey with you in your preparation for and the celebration of your child's first Sacrament. Infant Baptisms are typically celebrated in the context of the Sunday Mass.

To schedule an initial interview and reserve a date for your child's baptism, please contact John Simpson, 206-654-4658. Please allow at least TWO MONTHS for baptismal preparation.

​Below is a list of required steps for parents and godparents:

1. Register in the Parish.  Parents/Guardians of the child to be baptized at St. James Cathedral must be registered at the Parish.  If you are not already registered, please do so as soon as possible.  If you are registered at another Catholic Church, we will need a “letter of permission to baptize" from your Pastor.

2. Schedule a meeting with John Simpson. These meetings are usually in person, but can also be held on Zoom.

​3. Select your child's Godparents.  Godparents play a very important role in your child’s spiritual life. They should serve as role models of the Catholic faith for their godchild.  Additionally, they represent the larger Church community.  Please use the criteria below when selecting your Godparents:

• Each Godparent MUST be Catholic, registered at a Church, and practicing the Catholic faith, and each must be fully-initiated Catholics having received the Sacraments of  Baptism, First Communion, and  Confirmation, and, if married, having the Sacrament of Matrimony in Catholic Church.
• Godparent(s) must be in good standing with the Church.
• Godparent(s) must be at least 16 yrs. old.
• Godparent(s) must attend a baptism preparation class (or have attended within the past three years).

​4. Preparation  Archdiocesan Policy requires that parents/guardians and godparents must receive catechesis (baptism preparation).  Generally, these would happen in the form of in-person or Zoom baptism preparation classes.

5. Complete your Paperwork. All Paperwork must be completed & submitted to the baptism office no later than 2 weeks prior to the baptism date.  Required documents include: