Congratulations on your new arrival!

Your child is a wonderful reminder of God’s love. Thank you for blessing St. Joseph's by deciding to start your baby’s faith journey here.

Baptizing your child is a privilege, honor and responsibility for you and for the rest of us. Call the parish office, 815-939-3573, to make arrangements.

Before selecting godparents, please consult the office for guidelines. In the meantime, we have provided some general information below about receiving the sacrament at St. Joseph Parish in Bradley.

Ok … I want to have my child baptized at St. Joseph's. Now what do I do? The process is easy:

Are you a member of St. Joseph Parish? In order to have a child baptized here, parents are required to be members of our community of faith. (Click here to download a registration form. Print out the form, complete it, and return it to the parish office or in the Sunday collection basket).

What is the sacrament of baptism? How will it impact your child’s faith life? Ask these questions and more during our parish baptismal preparation class. In order to have a child baptized here, parents must attend this class. Sessions are held at 7 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of the month in the parish rectory meeting room. Registration, which is required, can be done by calling the parish office, 815-939-3573.

Would you like to have your child baptized during Mass? Baptisms are celebrated in community with other parishioners during weekend liturgies at St. Joseph Parish. Parents have the option of having their children immersed in the baptistery or having water poured upon the head during the baptism.

*Baptisms which are celebrated outside of Mass are held on the first and third Sunday of the month after 11 a.m. Mass at approximately 12:30 p.m.

What about godparents? Parents may have two godparents—one male and one female—for their child. They need at least one fully initiated Catholic as a godparent. One fully initiated Catholic is acceptable if a second is unavailable.