One of the many benefits of being a Catholic is the opportunity to be a Sacramental Sponsor (Godparent). The function of the sponsor is: a) together with the celebrant who baptizes or confirms, to represent the Church in receiving the person into the communion of the Church; and b) to assist the person in Christian initiation. Given the functions and role a sponsor exercises, a non-Catholic Christian cannot be admitted as a sponsor; however, he or she can be a witness. A non-Christian cannot serve in this latter capacity, but is welcome to be present at the ceremony. In accord with Canon 874 of the Code of Canon Law, the Church can admit a person to the role of Sponsor if,

• He or she is not less than 14 years of age.
• He or she is a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the blessed Eucharist and lives a life of faith which befits the role to be undertaken.
• He or she is not either the father or the mother of the person.

Note that the Catholic seeking to be admitted as a Godparent/Sponsor “lives a life of faith which befits the role to be undertaken.” This phraseology means that the candidate for sponsor sincerely believes and strives to put into practice the Word of God as taught by the Catholic Church; regularly takes part in the Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation; and if married, was married in accordance with the requirements of the Catholic Church. Consequently, those Catholics who are not actively affiliated with a worshiping community, who are invalidly married, as for example, before a Justice of the Peace, or without proper dispensation, before a minister of a Protestant church or before a rabbi, who are divorced and invalidly remarried, and who have not received confirmation and the blessed Eucharist; do not qualify to be admitted as a sponsor.
 
CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY
The Parish of Saint John the Evangelist-Our Lady of Mount Carmel is happy to provide active, participating members of the parish with certificates of eligibility if the following conditions are met:

• Individuals must be registered as parishioners for at least six months prior to seeking a certificate. If the individual is newly registered in the parish, a letter from the individual’s former pastor stating they are a Catholic in good standing may be required in order to provide a certificate.
• The individual should be involved in the life of the parish via participation in a parish ministry.
• Individuals must attend weekly Mass at one of our Churches on either Saturday evening or Sunday morning.

CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY PROCEDURE
1. Complete the Certificate of Eligibility form (available in the rectory) and take to the parish office for review and priest signature.
2. Upon review, the Parish will sign the certificate of eligibility form. If the sponsor does not meet the above criteria, a letter will be sent to the sponsor regarding the reason(s) for ineligibility.

IN ORDER TO OBTAIN CERTIFICATE, YOU MUST AFFIRM THE FOLLOWING:

• I am at least 14 years of age.
• I am a practicing Catholic registered at a parish.
• I have received the sacraments of Baptism, First Holy Communion and Confirmation in the Catholic Church.
• I participate in the Mass on Sundays and Holydays and receive the Sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation regularly.
• I regularly contribute to the financial needs of the Parish of St. John the Evangelist-Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
• If married, I am validly married according to the laws of the Catholic Church. If divorced, I have not remarried outside the Catholic Church.
• I actively strive to live out my commitment to Christ and to the community life of the Church by my loving response to those with whom I come in contact.
• I realize that I assume a great responsibility before God and the Church in becoming a sponsor and will faithfully fulfill the obligations connected with it. I will give support to the person I am sponsoring by my prayers and by the Christian example of my daily life.

By my signature, I attest to be a practicing Catholic who seeks to be admitted as a sponsor, solemnly affirm that I fulfill the requirements of the Catholic Church for this role as presented above. I intend, with the grace of God, to continue the practice of my Catholic Faith, and I will, to the best of my ability, carry out the obligations of my role as sponsor.