Baptism
The Sacrament of Baptism is often called "The door of the Church," because it is the first of the seven sacraments not only in time (since most Catholics receive it as infants) but in priority, since the reception of the other sacraments depends on it. It is the first of the three Sacraments of Initiation, the other two being the Sacrament of Confirmation and the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Once baptized, a person becomes a member of the Church. Traditionally, the rite (or ceremony) of baptism was held outside the doors of the main part of the church, to signify this fact.
Christ Himself ordered His disciples to preach the Gospel to all nations and to baptize those who accept the message of the Gospel. In His encounter with Nicodemus (John 3:1-21), Christ made it clear that baptism was necessary for salvation: "Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." For Catholics, the sacrament is not a mere formality; it is the very mark of a Christian, because it brings us into new life in Christ.
Information on how Baptism is scheduled.
We offer Baptism twice per month (except during Advent and Lent). We offer baptism during regular weekend Masses ten times per year, approximately once per month, except during the seasons of Advent and Lent. We also offer ten Baptism Services per year. Our schedule runs on the fiscal year, July 1 through June 30. Please see the schedule below. Once you've picked a date please contact Peggy at peggy.byers@stedwardch.org or
804-864-4714 to be put on the schedule.
Baptism during Mass
One weekend per month, except during Advent and Lent, the Sacrament of Baptism is offered during a regular Mass. Mass times are Saturday at 5pm, Sunday at 7:15, 8:45, and 11:15am, and 5pm.
Schedule:
April 11/12, 2026
May 9/10, 2026
June 20/21, 2026
July 11/2, 2026
August 15/16, 2026
September 12/13, 2026
October 24/25, 2026
November 21/22, 2026 (check Mass availability)
January 9/10, 2027
February 6/7, 2027
April 10/11 (check Mass availability)
May 8/9, 2027
June 19/20, 2027
Baptism Service
Once per month, except during Advent and Lent, Baptism Services are offered at 1pm. This service is not a Mass, but a prayer service with the Sacrament of Baptism according to the Rite of Baptism of the Roman Catholic Church.
Schedule:
April 19, 2026
May 17, 2026
June 14, 2026
July 19, 2026
August 9, 2026
September 20, 2026
October 11, 2026
November 15, 2026
January 17, 2027
April 18, 2027
May 16, 2027
June 13, 2027
parental preparation
Preparation for the Sacrament of Baptism is essential and required of parents who have not attended a class within 24 months of the scheduled Baptism. Classes last approximately 90 minutes and are held in the Seton classroom of the Church building.
Schedule:
March 29, 2026 at 1pm
June 7, 2026 at 2pm
August 2, 2026 at 1pm
October 4, 2026 at 1pm
December 6, 2026 at 1pm
January 31, 2027 at 1pm
April 4, 2027 at 1pm
June 6, 2027 at 1pm
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT GODPARENTS
Godparents join the parents in presenting the child for Baptism and help the child to lead a Christian life in harmony with the sacrament. The Rite of Baptism for Children asks them, “Are you ready to help the parents of this child in their duty?” In helping the baptized child to lead a Christian Life through word and example, godparents assist the parents “in their duty.” The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains further that godparents “must be firm believers, able and ready to help the newly baptized child . . . on the road of Christian life.” In choosing a person to serve as a godparent, parents should consider carefully his or her capacity to provide this help.
Strictly speaking, a child needs only one godparent for Baptism (male or female), but may have two godparents (one male and one female). As long as there is one (Catholic) godparent, a baptized person belonging to a non-Catholic Christian community may serve as a witness to the Baptism. This Christian witness does not assume the obligations of a godparent and therefore should not respond to questions directed to the godparents during the celebration of Baptism. A person who was baptized Catholic but has abandoned the practice of the Catholic faith would not be a suitable choice as an official Christian witness to a Catholic Baptism. Parents are free to invite others to witness the Baptism, in accord with family or cultural traditions, but only two persons (either two godparents, or one godparent and one Christian witness) are entered, by name, into the official record.
Excerpt from Instructions for Sacraments - Infant Baptism © 2012 Catholic Diocese of Richmond
Code of Canon Law, can. 874 § 1 requires that a godparent be:
- At least 16 years old.
- Fully-initiated Catholic (having received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.
- Not bound by any canonical penalty (e.g. a person who is married must be in a marriage which is recognized by the Church)
- Leading a life of faith befitting the role to be undertaken. (Regularly attending Mass on Sunday and living the faith)
- Not parents of the child.
Code of Canon Law, can. 873 requires:
- There is to be only one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each.
forms required for baptism
Please complete a Baptism Data form and turn it in to the Parish Office prior to your child's Baptism. It has information necessary for the certificate and to properly record the reception of the Sacrament. Certificates are completed and signed ahead of time and given to parents at the Baptism. Completed forms can be returned via email to peggy.byers@stedwardch.org, faxed to 804-560-3565 Attn: Peggy Byers, or mailed to St. Edward Church, Attn: Peggy Byers, 2700 Dolfield Drive, North Chesterfield, VA 23235.
Catholic godparents are required to complete and submit a Godparent Attestation form. Forms must be signed by the Catholic godparent's pastor or his delegate and returned to the Parish Office prior to your child's baptism. Completed forms can be returned via email to peggy.byers@stedwardch.org, faxed to 804-560-3565 or mailed to Peggy Byers, St. Edward Church, 2700 Dolfield Drive, North Chesterfield, VA 23235