In order to have a child baptized at St. William, parents need to be registered members of St. William and attend the Baptism Preparation Class. Please contact the pastor to schedule.

Baptismal preparation can be found HERE.

Requirements for Baptism:

• The Child must have a Christian Name or at least a name not offensive to the faith.
• The parents must intend to raise their child to be a practicing Catholic, which means attending mass regularly and being educated in the faith.
• The Godparents must be practicing Catholics, over 16 years old, living faithfully in the Church. They must be fully initiated in the faith, which means they have received the sacraments of Baptism, Holy Communion and Confirmation. If they are married, they must have received the sacrament of Holy Matrimony.
• If the Godparents are not members of St. William or The Chapel of the Holy Cross, we need a letter from the parish to which they belong attesting to the fact that they are registered members in good standing with all their Sacraments.

The paperwork you need:

1. Birth Certificate of the child who is to be baptized.
2. Completed Baptism Registration Form.
3. Certificate of Suitability for Godparents.
4. Letter or Documentation showing that the Parents and Godparents have completed a baptism preparation class either here or at another parish.

Children preparing for First Communion must have two years of active participation in the religious education program (grades 1 and 2) or have attended Catholic school, or an approved Catholic Home School Program. First sacraments are celebrated in the 2nd grade. Families with children older than second grade who would like their children prepared for these sacraments should contact the Director of Religious Education.

Students preparing for Confirmation are required to have two years of active participation in the religious education program (grades 8 and 9) or have attended a Catholic School or an approved Catholic Home School Program. Confirmation I occurs during a student’s eighth-grade year with the Theology of the Body curriculum, a chastity education program mandated by the Diocese of Birmingham as a part of the Confirmation preparation process. A process of discernment takes place during Confirmation II, during the student’s ninth-grade year, with Confirmation usually scheduled in the spring of that year.

Engaged couples desiring to be married at St. William should contact the pastor at least six months prior to the anticipated wedding date. It is recommended that couples make contact with the parish at the very beginning of their engagement to ensure an orderly and reflective preparation process. Preparation will involve three areas: documents, spiritual formation, and preparation for the ceremony.

Are you ready?  Click HERE to find out.

Diocesan Marriage Policy

Birmingham Catholic Engaged Encounter
David and Kathleen Lavallee, Local Coordinators
256-690-2727

Worldwide Marriage Encounter
Barney and Kathy Bellard
205-530-3607

Marriage Prep Video Series

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

• Birth Certificate – Groom and Bride
• Baptismal Certificate – Groom and Bride (with notations of First Communion and Confirmation)
• Marriage Preparation Certificate – (only one for bride and groom together)
• Pre-nuptial Investigation Form (only one for bride and groom together)
• Copy of picture identification (driver’s license, passport, etc.)
   

The Quince Años celebration is a renewal of baptismal promises and a moment of giving thanks to God for the gift of life, family, and faith.  A special blessing will be offered during a weekend Mass for the intended.  Please contact the church office to schedule.  The USCCB acknowledges this celebration and provides good information on its website.