The requirements for godparents and sponsors are:
be not less than sixteen years of age.
be a Catholic who has received the Sacraments of Baptism, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation.
be currently registered and active members of Our Lady of Mercy.
be living in conformity with Catholic morals and in good standing with the Catholic Church
If married, married according to the laws of the Church, not living together, not civilly married, and not divorced and remarried.
may not be the mother or father of the person to be baptized or to be confirmed.
have not formally left the Catholic Church for another religious denomination
What is the Sponsor Certificate?
In the distant past, "Sponsor Certificates" were unheard of because, in most cases, Godparents and Sponsors were from the same Parish as the mother and father of the child being baptized. The majority of Catholics practiced the faith, received all their Sacraments, and were married in the Church. So, the priest knew both the mother and father of the child and the potential Godparent(s).
Now, with people moving around, urban people moving to the big cities, and young people moving to other cities or countries where the jobs are, in many cases, when it comes to the Sacrament of Baptism, the parish priest often does not know the people who have been chosen to be the Godparents (Sponsors). And when we consider the declining morality and drop in Church attendance, even within families, this gives another reason why the priest does not know everyone who may even live within the boundaries of the Parish.
Having said that, the Catholic Church requires that chosen Godparents and Sponsors, who will be called to assist the parents in raising the child in the Catholic faith, are of good standing in the Catholic Church. That means they must meet a number of expectations as outlined in Canon Law.
When the Sponsor or Godparent)goes to the priest of his/her parish, he asks for a "Sponsor Certificate." This certificate is the official letter of the Parish, confirming that the Sponsor candidate is a Catholic of good standing in the said Parish. He/she goes to Church every Sunday. He/she has received the Sacrament of Confirmation. And if married, received the Sacrament of Matrimony in the Catholic Church. He/she has not been excommunicated and living a life contrary to the Catholic Faith.
This shows the importance of choosing Godparents/Sponsors who are in good standing. The person will not have to face the embarrassment of being denied proof of good standing. By choosing a practicing Catholic who is in good standing, there is a greater chance that the child's parent will receive the necessary assistance in raising the child in the Catholic faith.
How to obtain a Sponsor Certificate at Our Lady of Mercy?
Only the pastor can sign a Sponsor Certificate. You must be a registered and active member of Our Lady of Mercy Church who attends Mass regularly and complies with the requirements as stated above. Please ask for your Sponsor Certificate in a timely manner, at least two weeks in advance of the Baptism and several months before the Confirmation. Such Sacraments are scheduled well in advance, and you should act quickly to obtain a Sponsor Certificate.
Once you have determined that you are in good standing and meet the requirements, approach the Pastor after Sunday Mass and ask him for a Sponsor Certificate. If you are not known to the Pastor, introduce yourself. The Pastor may ask you to wait and will meet with you once he has finished greeting all the parishioners after Mass. There is an office in the vestibule and a bench nearby; simply wait there until the Pastor is ready to meet with you. If you do not have a Sponsor Certificate to present, there are forms in the vestibule office the Pastor can complete for you.
If you do not meet the requirements listed above, please do not ask for a Sponsor Form. Have the integrity to tell those asking you to be a Sponsor that you are not eligible and politely decline.
Further Questions:
Please call the Parish Office at 401.884-4968 or the Pastor by email.