Sponsor Guidelines

 

A Godparent or Sponsor is a person of faith who is chosen to support a person receiving a Sacrament in living out a life of discipleship.  Acting as a Godparent for Baptism, as a Sponsor for Confirmation, or a Godparent or Sponsor for OCIA, is both an honor and a responsibility. A Godparent/Sponsor is a representative of our Catholic community of faith.  S/he should be a role model of our Catholic faith through the witness of their life, and a companion on the journey of faith, for the one being sponsored.

 

Requirements to be a Godparent or Sponsor 

  • Be designated by the candidate, parents, guardians, or the pastor
  • Have the qualifications and intention of performing the role of sponsor
  • Be at least 16 years old
  • Be a fully initiated Catholic (received Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist).
  • Lead a life in harmony with the faith and role of a sponsor.
    For example:
  • be a member of a parish
  • attend Mass on Sundays and holy days
  • not be in an irregular marriage (such as married outside the Church, remarried without an annulment, etc.)
  • Not be bound by a canonical penalty.
  • Not be the father or mother of the one to be baptized or confirmed.

 

Is there a specific number of Sponsors?

For Baptism

  • only one Godparent/Sponsor is required
  • If two are chosen, one must be male and the other female, one of whom may be a Christian witness* (i.e., a non-Catholic Christian may fulfill this role).
    * a Christian may not be a person who is baptized Catholic

For Confirmation

  • only one Sponsor is chosen 
  • Candidates for Confirmation should consider asking one of the Baptismal Godparents to be a Confirmation Sponsor.  This choice enables the Baptismal Godparent to continue their role of providing spiritual support and guidance. 
  • The Sponsor must be a practicing Catholic in good standing with a parish community since they will be asked to provide a ‘letter of eligibility’ to act in the role of Godparent/Sponsor.

 

How do I obtain a letter of eligibility?


Congratulations on being asked to be a Godparent or Sponsor. This is a great honor.

Active Member* of Our Lady of Grace Parish

  • contact the parish office by phone at 724-838-9480 x 3000
  • submit the online Godparent/Sponsor Letter Form

* The person who will be acting as the Godparent or Sponsor must be the one to call or complete the form. We are unable to accept calls from parents, spouses, the candidate for whom you are to serve, or a family member of the sacramental candidate. 

Upon calling the parish office or submitting your electronic request, a Certificate of Sponsorship will be issued for those who meet the requirements. All individuals who submit a request will be contacted by a staff member within one week of submitting the request. 

Inactive Member of Our Lady of Grace Parish

  • if you are still living in the Greensburg area, do not belong to another parish/church or would like to transfer back to OLG
  • contact the parish office 724-838-9480 x 3002
  • submit the online Parish Registration form
  • if you are no longer living in the Greensburg area:
  • register at a Catholic parish in your area
  • speak with the priest or staff member
  • request a sponsor letter of eligibility


Member of a Parish that is not Our Lady of Grace or our Partner Parish, St. Benedict

Contact the parish where you are registered. Tell the secretary or staff member that you have been asked to be a Godparent/Sponsor, and you need a letter of eligibility. Your parish will know exactly what to do!


What if we/I don't know anyone to be a Godparent/Sponsor? 

For a variety of reasons, many parents or candidates for Confirmation are often concerned that they cannot find a suitable sponsor.  In the event that neither the candidate nor the parents or guardians can select a sponsor, the parish is happy to assist in finding a member of our faith community to fill the role of Godparent/Sponsor.