SAINT LUCY'S CHURCH: The Mother Italian Church of The Diocese of Scranton. Home to All! Ministered to by Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini

This guide will try to answer the question as to who may receive a Sponsor Letter for Baptism or Confirmation here at St. Lucy’s Parish.

The Catholic Church takes sponsorship very seriously. A sponsor is more than an honorary position. The role of the sponsor at Baptism or Confirmation is to be a living example of the Faith. That is why in Baptism they are called a "godparent." Unless one is an actual practicing Catholic how can he or she be an "example of the faith?

If you are being considered as a godparent/sponsor and you are not registered and active here at St. Lucy’s, or in another parish, then perhaps this is the time to recommit yourself to the Catholic Faith. During the ceremony you will be asked if the Faith professed in ceremony is the Faith you believe and practice in your daily life. Ask yourself, "Will my integrity allow me to make a false public profession of Faith before God and my loved ones?" If you choose not to faithfully practice your Catholic Faith, than you should not accept the role of godparent.

Please know that we stand ready and willing to help you return to the practice of the Faith. It would be a joy and a privilege to help you once again embark on your baptismal journey toward eternal life.

For a pastor to be able to give a Sponsor Letter to someone, the pastor must have jurisdiction and personal knowledge that the sponsor/godparent is a practicing Catholic. The pastor attests to this in the Sponsor Letter.

The Church requires that those who take on the privilege and obligation of being a sponsor at Baptism/Confirmation practice their Catholic faith, follow the Precepts of the Church and meet the criteria of Canon Law. A Sponsor Letter can be issued in the following categories:

1. Married by a Catholic Priest

2. Baptized and Confirmed

3. Over the age of 16,

4. Faithfully follows the Precepts of the Church

5. Faithfully fulfills he Sunday Obligation (1^{st Precept)}

6. Supports their parish spiritually and financially (5th

Precept)

7. Intends to faithfully fulfill the role of godparent.

A pastor can give a letter to a parishioner who is registered and regularly uses their envelopes. This is not a perfect system but it is all we have to go on. If a person doesn’t care enough to support our parish then the odds are that he/she is not going to church.

For new parishioners, a sponsor/godparent letter will be issued after six months of demonstrating faithful attendance at Mass.

The first Precept of the Church is to attend Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation.