PLEASE READ OUR BAPTISM GUIDELINES BELOW. This document contains information regarding parent preparation, choosing Godparents, and special circumstances.

Baptisms are held on Sundays at 11:30 a.m. at Saint Alexis or St. Alphonsus Church.  To schedule a baptism please fill out the REQUEST FORM.  

If you have any questions, please contact Darcy Osby, Director of Faith Formation at 724-935-4343 ext. 213, dosby@saintaidanparish.org

1. Make sure you are a registered member of our parish.
   • If you are a registered member of another parish, you must provide a letter from your pastor giving St. Aidan parish permission to confer this sacrament.
   • If you are not a member of St. Aidan and would like to register, please fill out this form.
2. Sign up for a Formation Session below.
   • First time parents must sign up for the Pre-Baptism Formation session.
   • Parents who have already participated in formation for a previous child in the past 4 years do not need to attend again, but are invited to attend our Strengthening the Domestic Church Retreat.
   • Parents who attended the formation more than 4 years ago must attend the Strengthening the Domestic Church Retreat.
3. Notify both Godparents to contact their home parish directly to obtain sponsor letters stating that they are in good standing with the Catholic Church and eligible to serve as Godparents.
   • A Christian Witness from another denomination must obtain a letter from their church stating that they are a practicing member of that community.
4. Once the baby is born, fill Out the Baptism Request Form.
5. Once all forms are received by our parish office, contact Darcy to schedule a date: 724-935-4343 ext. 213, dosby@saintaidanparish.org

SIGN UP HERE if this is your first child being baptized.
Upcoming Dates: May 20, July 15

• Baptism is a very important moment in the life of your child. We want the celebration of this beautiful rite to be meaningful and engaging. We also want to assist you in your preparation as Catholic Christian parents.
• If this is your first child, please register for a baptism preparation session (link above). Sessions are typically offered on the 3rd Thursday of every odd month at 6:30 PM. Currently, sessions are being held virtually via Zoom during the pandemic.
• We strongly encourage parents to contact us before baby is born so that the baptism can be scheduled soon after birth.
• If you have already attended this session for your first child, please see the section below regarding a retreat for parents as you welcome additional children into your family.

SIGN UP HERE if you have already attended pre-baptism formation and are baptizing a new child.
Upcoming Dates: April 15th, June 17th 

• You only need to attend the Baptism Preparation session once for your first child.
• As you welcome additional children to your family, we invite you to participate in a short virtual retreat session to strengthen your family in faith as your Domestic Church grows.
• These retreats are offered on the 3rd Thursday of every even month and can be attended before or after your baby’s baptism. 
• This retreat is required if it has been more than 4 years since your last formation session.

• Only one family will be scheduled for a baptism at a time.
• There are to be no more than twenty-five people in attendance (includes the parents, child, godparents, and the priest or deacon celebrating the baptism).
• Six feet of social distance is required by those in attendance who are not living in the same household while they are in the church.
• Anyone who is showing signs of illness is to stay home.
• Those who are at highest risk for infection (i.e. those who are older and/or have underlying health conditions) should stay home.
• Upon entering the church, individuals are to sanitize their hands.
• Individuals are to wear a mask inside of the church (those under two years of age should not wear a mask).
• While in the church, the parents are to hold the child, no one else.
• The parents of the child, the godparents, and the celebrant are to santize their hands immediately before the baptism ritual begins.
• Pictures during the baptism are to be taken while maintaining social distance. No photos are to be taken after the baptism inside of the church. Taking photos outside is encouraged.