We are delighted that you wish to have your child baptized at St. Benedict Catholic Church. Baptism is a rite of initiation into the Catholic Church, a welcoming of your child into the Christian family. Through Baptism, we receive the grace of God and become sharers in the Church’s mission.
No one has more influence on a child's growing sense of God and the Catholic faith community than the child's parents. At Baptism, the faith is proclaimed for infants by their parents and godparents who represent the Church.  Baptism unites us with Christ because it incorporates us into the Church. St. Paul describes it as being "clothed" with Christ. The Church mediates the presence of the risen Jesus to us. It is through the Church that we are introduced to Jesus and grow in our ability to recognize his presence among us in the Scripture, in the Breaking of Bread, and the Assembly. 

Families inquiring about celebrating a Baptism are required to meet with a priest prior to scheduling a date.  To schedule an apoointment please call the Parish Office (352) 795-4479.

Basic Policies and Procedures
 

1. Parents generally have their children baptized in the parish where they themselves are registered, participating members. If the parents are not members of St. Benedict they are asked to register at our parish or present a letter of delegation from the parish in which they attend.
2. A Godparent must be a Confirmed, practicing Catholic over the age of sixteen (If there are two godparents - only one of them needs to meet this requirement). Only one godparent is required but if two are chosen only one from each gender is allowed.
3. Members of other Christian churches may serve as Christian witnesses as long as there is also one eligible godparent.
4. Godparents who are not members of St. Benedict Parish are asked to present a Sponsor Certificate/Notification from their own parish at the time the baptism is scheduled.