Dear Godparent/Sponsor,
The role of Godparent at
Baptism or Sponsor at Confirmation is more than ceremonial. Often in the past, some
would say that the Church had this or that requirement. The first question
is not whether or not the Church will permit me to be a Godparent or
Sponsor, but whether or not / can allow MYSELF to be one! In other
words, each one of us must ask himself or herself if our own integrity
allows us to stand at the Altar and make a public profession that the faith
we will speak in word is also a faith in practice!
The role of Godparent and/or
Sponsor does not demand that you be a canonized saint. All of us must place
ourselves at the mercy of God. We all have miles to go in Christian progress,
yet we also know that members of families, who have stopped attending Mass or
who rarely receive the Sacraments, suddenly find themselves asked to be a
Godparent or Sponsor. If you are in a similar situation, we invite you to let
this moment be a real opportunity to grow in the Spirit and in your faith. You
could choose to make the signing of the enclosed form a real grace of change, a
moment of re- commitment. You could resolve to sit down with a Priest, Deacon,
member of our Pastoral Staff or a practicing Catholic family member or friend
and chart a new path in your faith.
Perhaps, you are not ready for
this. If you cannot bring yourself to a renewed practice of faith, then by all
means be honest enough to simply ask the relative or friend who asked you to be
a Godparent or Sponsor to hold you excused. This is what is meant by a call
to integrity and honesty. Whatever you discern, do so by the grace of God.
If we can be of any assistance
in your discernment or in nurturing the grace that this occasion provides for
you, please give us a call. It will be a joy to walk this step with you. Thank
you for your consideration, thoughts and prayers in arriving at a response to
this call to integrity.
Sincerely,
The Priests, Deacons and Staff of St. John Chrysostom
View or print
the form that is needed to become a sponsor. Fill it out, and come to the parish house to review it with
an assistant, and have the seal affixed.