(for infants to age 6; for information about baptizing a child age 7 and older, contact Joan Sheppard)
(Información sobre los bautismos en español aqui o contactar a baptisms@gs-cc.org)
Preparing for Your Child's Baptism
Congratulations! We look forward to helping you welcome your child into the Catholic Church!
Step 1: Paperwork
To schedule a baptism for your child, you will need to provide:
  1. Completed registry form (see below)
  2. Copy of child's birth certificate
  3. A letter from each godparent's parish stating he/she is eligible to be a Catholic sponsor. (See "Godparent Requirements" below.)
*Note: Godparents who are registered members of Good Shepherd do not need to provide a letter.
Step 2: Preparation Class
In addition to providing the above paperwork, parents must attend a baptism preparation class. 
  • Parents who have attended a class within the past three years do not need to attend again.
  • If class is/was attended at another Catholic parish, a letter from that church verifying the date of attendance is required.
  • See below to register for an upcoming class at Good Shepherd parish.
Step 3: Scheduling a Baptism
After all paperwork is submitted and you are registered for a baptism preparation class, the baptism coordinator will contact you about available dates and times. Baptisms take place on Saturdays, and at specific Sunday Masses.  
Contact
Contact the baptism coordinator by email at baptisms@gs-cc.org, or call the parish office at 703-780-4055 during regular business hours.  
Baptism marks the entry of the believer into the Christian community. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and joined with Christ, sharing in His divinity and destined for eternal life. In the words of St. Paul, "We were buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so too may we live a new life." (Romans 6:4)