Welcome to the journey to baptize your child in our Catholic Community

The heart of Baptism preparation at St. Stephen is the growth in friendship between the parents of the child to be baptized and a mentor couple in the parish. This couple serves as a link to the parish and an aid to a young couple discerning how best to raise their child in the faith. The mentor couple must be married in the Church and practicing their faith. The mentor couple and baptism couple both grow through the formational and social sessions to explore what the Sacrament of Baptism means for their own discipleship and the walk their child is beginning with the Lord Jesus. Because the relationship is meant to grow organically, baptism couples are encouraged to meet their mentor couple within the parish rather than be assigned one by the parish.

As parents seeking baptism for your child, you can begin your family's Baptismal journey by following these guidelines:

• If you are baptizing your child for the first time, please read and follow the outlined Baptism Prep Program. If you have already had children who have been baptized (even if it was not through St. Stephen’s Parish), please give the Parish Office a call.
• Download and complete the Pre-Baptism Questionnaire and the Baptismal Sponsor Forms/Certificates (be aware of godparent and Christian witness guidelines contained in the forms).
• Contact the Parish Office at 414-762-0552 at least 3 months before the requested date. We will pencil in the date once a mentor couple has agreed to go through the formation process. The date will be finalized when the Pre-Baptism Questionnaire and Baptismal Sponsor Forms/Certificates have been completed and turned in.
• Be registered in a Catholic parish community. We welcome you to join our St. Stephen Parish if you are looking to join a Catholic Church.
• Follow and enjoy your baptismal journey as outlined by the Baptism Prep Program.
• God bless and know of our prayers for you and your family on this journey of faith!