On Mondays, I answer questions frequently asked by those considering a return to the Catholic Church. How do I know this stuff? I was away for more than 30 years myself, and am the co-author of When They Come Home: Ways to Welcome Returning Catholics, a book for pastors and parish leaders interested in this ministry.
I’m thinking about coming back to the Church because my sister asked me to be a godparent to her baby. What will that involve?
First, the technical requirements: You need to be at least sixteen years old. If you’re married, the 
marriage needs to conform to Church law. You also need to have been baptized and confirmed and have received communion yourself.
It’s just as important that you be living your faith in a way that can serve as an example to your goddaughter or godson. Can you help the parents teach this child about the Catholic faith? The questions are much the same if you sponsor an adult, for example, if your spouse was not baptized and is contemplating this to accompany your return to the Church.
You don’t have to be an uber-Catholic or read the Bible every day to be an excellent godparent or sponsor. You do have to be willing to share your faith life, and help the other person to develop spiritually. There’s no requirement to give the person birthday, Christmas, or baptismal anniversary gifts, though if you want to do that, go right ahead.
