​​Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church

 9757 South 1700 East - Sandy, Utah  84092  LLC Series 201

"Stained glass window depicting Episcopal baptism" by Gary Bridgman - Own work (as photographer and as a representative of St. Mary's Episcopal Cathedral). Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

1 - Initial Interview with priest or deacon, at least 6 months prior to contemplated marriage date.

2 - Couple makes plan to

• attend an Engaged Encounter weekend.  Contact Bryan or Karen Penn for reservations and info
• participate in the parish Evening of the Engaged program.  Contact Jess or Bernie Shackelford (801.253.2861) for info
• attend one session on Natural Family Planning
• obtain a copy of baptismal certificates for both the prospective bride and groom:  this folds for both Catholics and those baptized in mainline Protestant churches
• have completed and returned to the priest the Affidavit of Marriage Freedom for each party

3 - Once the above have been completed, meet again with the priest to:

• complete the canonical paper work
• discuss the details of Celebration of Marriage Ceremony

4 - If the marriage is to be performed in Blessed Sacrament Church:

• contact one of our parish musicians if music is desired
• other items, e.g. flowers, are the responsibility of the couple

5 - If the marriage is to be performed elsewhere, e.g. other Catholic Church, the couple must check with that church to determine their policies.

6 - Normally, the rehearsal will take place the evening prior to the day of marriage

7 - The couple is to bring their marriage license to the wedding rehearsal and give it to the priest who will perform the ceremony

8 - It is customary for the couple to make an offering to the church where the ceremony is to be performed, as well as the musician(s)

9 - Blessed Sacrament Parish does not allow the throwing of rice for very practical reasons

"Today, there are those who say that marriage is out of fashion. Is it out of fashion? In a culture of relativism and the ephemeral, many preach the importance of ‘enjoying’ the moment. They say that it is not worth making a life-long commitment, making a definitive decision, ‘for ever’, because we do not know what tomorrow will bring. I ask you, instead, to be revolutionaries, I ask you to swim against the tide; yes, I am asking you to rebel against this culture that sees everything as temporary and that ultimately believes you are incapable of responsibility, that believes you are incapable of true love. I have confidence in you and I pray for you. Have the courage ‘to swim against the tide’. And also have the courage to be happy.”

Pope Francis​

Sunday, July 28, 2013 

Address to the World Youth Day Volunteers​

Peter [said] to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the holy Spirit.  For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call.

​Act 2:38-39

This prefigured baptism, which saves you now. It is not a removal of dirt from the body but an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

​1 Peter 3:21

1 - Family must be registered in the parish.
2 - Catholic parent(s) must be attending weekend Mass (the Sunday liturgy) with a high degree of regularity.
3 - Catholic parent(s) must attend the Baptismal Preparation class held as needed in the parish center.  Contact Sharon or Deacon Billy Martin for class dates and times.
4 - Parents must have been married in the Catholic Church by a priest or deacon. If this is not the case the pastor or the deacon must be contacted.
5 - No date or arrangements are to be made for baptism until the classes have been completed. In the case of second grade students or RCIC students, the date for baptism will be arranged through the director of religious education.
6 - Children over the age of 9, or in the 4th grade or above, who have not been baptized must complete the RCIC program.

Requirements to be a Godparent or Sponsor for Catholic Baptism

When a child or an adult is to be baptized, he or she must have at least one godparent or sponsor (the terms are interchangeable). It is customary for children to have two godparents. When there are two, one must be male and the other female. Godparents must meet all of the following criteria, which are established by universal Church law and which do not vary from place to place. Godparents must:

​​1 - Be Catholic

​2 - Have been baptized, confirmed, and receive Communion

3 - Be 16 years of age or older

​4 - must be living a life consistent with their own baptismal vows

This means that they must be practicing the faith, cannot be engaging in notorious sin, and cannot have taken public positions in opposition to Catholic faith or morals. If a sponsor is married, their marriage must be recognized by the Church. In general, if a potential sponsor is not a member of the parish where the baptism is to take place, he or she must obtain a letter or certificate from their own pastor which affirms that they meet the above requirements.

People sometimes object to the requirements for a sponsor. They argue that parents should have freedom to choose the sponsor of a child who is to be baptized. In order to understand the Church's position, several points must be kept in mind.

Baptism is not a private act. It is a public, official liturgy of the Church and welcomes someone into the Catholic Church. Therefore, the Church has the duty and obligation to require reasonable criteria for being a sponsor. The sponsor is to assist the parents and the child in living a Catholic life. In order to do so, the sponsor needs to provide good example of living that life. A person who is not Catholic, or who is not living in a way consistent with the faith, obviously cannot provide the example that is part of the task of being a godparent. The role of godparent is a role of service done in the name of the Church, and the person who is a sponsor should be capable of performing that service.

If there is one godparent, Church law does permit, but does not encourage, the appointment of one 'Christian witness' to the baptism ceremony. This witness must be a baptized, upright, non-Catholic Christian. This 'Christian witness' takes part in the ceremony but is not a godparent. A former Catholic, a non-baptized person, or someone who does not live a virtuous Christian life can never be a Christian witness.

​