There are several requirements for the parents who wish to baptize at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi:

• At least one of the parents should be a Catholic in good standing and practicing the Catholic faith on a regular basis.
  • To be a practicing Catholic means to attend Sunday Mass on a regular basis; to make every effort to live the Gospel values as guided by the Commandments of God and of our Church.
• Both parents must attend the two Pre-Baptism Classes.
  • In the case of a single/divorced parent, the one who has custody of the child must be the one that presents the child for baptism.  If the parents have joint custody of the child, both must agree to the baptism.
• You must bring the child's birth certificate to the office to begin the process of the paperwork needed for baptism.
• If class has been attended elsewhere, a copy of the certificate must be provided.
• There are several requirements for the Godparents (Padrinos):

• At least one Godparent is required.  If more than one, only two.  If two, one must be a male and the other a female.
• Must be Catholic and in good standing, and practicing the Catholic faith on a regular basis.
• Has received all sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion)
• Be at least 16 years old.
• If married, must be married in the Catholic Church.  Cannot be married civilly or outside the Catholic Church, or living together with someone as in marriage.
• If not a registered member of the Cathedral Basilica, must have the document: "Affidavit of Eligibility for the Ministry of Baptism or Confirmation Sponsor."
• Must attend the two Pre-Baptism Classes.  If completed RCIA within the last two years Baptism Classes are waived.
• If not registered at a parish, must register and wait three months.
• Two classes of instruction are required for the parents and Godparents. Instructions are held at the Cathedral Parish Hall at 7:00 p.m. on the following dated:
• May 5 & 12, 2009 
• June 2 & 9, 2009
• July 7 & 14, 2009 
• August 4 & 11, 2009 
• September 1 & 8, 2009
• October 6 & 13, 2009 
• November 3 & 10, 2009 
• December 1 & 9, 2009
• December 29, 2009 (for January)
• January 5, 2010 
  • • Dates are subject to change.  Please call the Parish Office to verify the information and to pre-register for the classes.
  • • Baptism is celebrated during the Mass. You must be at the Cathedral Basilica half an hour before Mass begins.  Baptism will be celebrated on the following Sundays:
• May 24, 2009, 10:00 AM Mass
• June 28, 2009,  12:00 Noon Mass 
• July 19, 2009, 10:00 AM Mass
• August 16, 2009, 12:00 Noon Mass 
• September 20, 2009, 10:00 AM Mass 
• October 18, 2009, 12:00 Noon Mass
• November 15, 2009, 10:00 AM Mass  
• December 20, 2009, 12:00 Noon Mass 
• January 10, 2010, 10: AM Mass

 Dates are subject to change. Please call the Parish Office to verify the information.  Must pre-register before the date of Baptism.

Children preparing for first Holy Communion in May must first receive the sacrament of Reconciliation.  Parents are required to attend Sunday morning classes at the cathedral to help prepare their children for reception of the sacrament.  A special communal celebration of Reconciliation (with individual confession and absolution) will be held in early February for sacramental children and their parents.

In December, further information will be mailed to parents of the third graders registered in Religious Education classes at the cathedral, third graders at Santo Nino Regional Catholic School whose parents are registered in the parish, and older children who have not received Holy Communion and who are in both Religious Education and RCIC. (Third graders must be in the second year of Religious Education).

If a child is unable to attend the communal celebration of Reconciliation because of illness or other circumstances, he or she can receive the sacrament at the cathedral Saturdays between 3:00 and 5:00 pm.  Call the Religious Education Office at 982-3625 so the child’s reception of the sacrament can be noted in the record.; If the Religious Education Office is notified in advance, it is possible the priest will be able to arrive early.

The sacrament can also be received at another parish, but the Religious Education Office must be notified by the parents afterwards.

If a child cannot attend Reconciliation on a Saturday, it is possible to schedule the sacrament with a priest at another time.  Call the Church Office at 982-5619 to schedule an appointment.

First Holy Communion and May Crowning is in May 2009.

Third graders are eligible to receive the sacrament if they will have completed two full years of religious education in the parish or at Santo Nino Regional Catholic School, if they have accumulated no more than four absences as third graders (if they are registered in the Cathedral’s Religious Education program), and if they have received the sacrament of Reconciliation.  A First Reconciliation service is offered in early February for the spiritual benefit of the children and their parents.

In addition, parents are required to submit copies of the child’s baptismal certificate and proof of attendance in religious education classes at another parish if applicable.  Parents must also attend a series of parents’ classes offered by the parish in early 2009.

Most of all, children must evidence a desire to receive the sacrament and an age appropriate understanding of the meaning of the Eucharistic sacrifice.;

Our Parish offers a comprehensive Catholic model of preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation that helps teens grow closer to Christ and His Church.  The program, called the Oneight, draws young people into a deeper faith that transforms their hearts and changes their lives.  This program is based on creative and experiential catechetical methods and follows the flow of Liturgy: Gather, Proclaim, Break and Send.

Gayle McGuiness

Director, Youth & Young Adult Ministries

Baptized, catechized adults who have made their first Holy Communion but who have not been confirmed are invited to join the Cathedral’s Adult Confirmation class Saturday mornings, beginning February 2, 2008.  Call  982-3625 to register.  The sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated at the Cathedral on Pentecost, May 31, 2009.

Baptized, un-catechized Catholics are able to receive the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil, April 11, 2009, through the RCIA program.  Classes begin September 20, 2009.   Call 982-3625 for more information.

Confirmandi must have a sponsor, a practicing Catholic, who has already received the Sacraments of Initiation.  If not a registered member of the cathedral parish, the sponsor must submit an “Affidavit of Eligibility for the Ministry of Baptism or Confirmation Sponsor” from his or her own parish. 

Matrimony: contact the church at least 5 months prior to the date of marriage.

Marriage Preparation: Sponsor Couple Program

All Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi parish couples contemplating marriage must enroll in the program.

Dr. Selimo and Kathy Rael    (505) 820-6766

Vocations

If you are interested in seeking more information regarding Vocations to the Priesthood, please contact Rev. Michael De Palma, Vocations Director, Archdiocese of Santa Fe, 505-831-8143 or vocations@archdiocesesantafe.org

Vocations Director