Baptism

The sacrament of Baptism is celebrated during the Saturday evening and Sunday morning liturgies on a rotating basis, and on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month at the 1:30 Baptism Service. Because Baptism is a community event, we schedule Baptism as a part of a communal celebration.  Private Baptisms are not celebrated.  Parents are required to attend a Baptism Preparation Program offered once a month for their first child, but any parent who desires may attend. The preparation programs give parents the opportunity to consider the meaning of their own faith, how to share and pass on our faith to our children, the Church’s understanding of Baptism, and the elements of the Rite of Baptism. Sacrament of Baptism preparation classes for infant Baptisms are held on the 3rd Wednesday of every month in the Conference Room. Anyone over the age of 7 desiring the Sacrament of Baptism should contact Carol Heuser at the parish office to register and schedule, 777-4322, ext. 104.

INFANT BAPTISM

Congratulations!  We rejoice with you for the gift of your child.  During this special time we invite you to look at another special event - the Baptism of your child.  The Baptism of a child is more than pouring water and removing original sin.  Your child now shares in the life of Christ, and becomes a member of God's family, the Church.  Baptism, like all Sacraments, is not a once-for-all occurrence.  Rather it is a beginning of the child's faith life.  As the child grows and matures, parents are the ones who primarily hand on their own faith and it's meaning to them.

PARENTS

As you think about the baptism of your child, considerations arise. 

What does faith mean to me/my spouse?

How do I/we live my/our faith?

Is the Church an authentic expression of my/our own life?

What is the faith I/we want our child to have? 

Responsible Baptism requires a careful consideration of such questions.  We hope that the Baptism Preparation meeting will give you some assistance.  If this is your first child you must attend a Preparation class.  If the Church has been a regular part of your life, you need not participate in a second Baptismal Preparation meeting for another child.  However, we are not permitted to baptize a child if there is no current participation in the Church by parents.  If you have questions please call Carol Heuser @777-4322, ext. 104.  In having a child baptized, parents are making a commitment of faith.  Parents are committing themselves to regular and active participation in the life of the Church so that the transmission of faith to their child will become a reality.

BAPTISM PREPARATION MEETINGS

The meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30 pm in the Conference Room at Church unless otherwise noted in the bulletin.

• 9/17/08

• 10/15/08

• 11/19/08

• 12/17/08

• 1/21/09

• 2/18/09

• 3/18/09

• 4/15/09

• 5/20/09

• 6/17/09

GODPARENTS

Parents who present their child for baptism should give prayerful thought about whom they wish to be Godparents for their child.  Godparents should be committed Christians who are living their belief in Jesus.  Because they assist parents in bringing the child into the life of the Church, Godparents themselves need to be regular and active participants in the Church.  One of the Godparents must be a Catholic who has received the Sacrament of Confirmation and who at present regularly worships and participates in the church.  One of the Godparents may be a member of another Christian faith who at present worships and participates in their faith tradition.  If there are two Godparents, one must be male and one female.  They should be at least 16 years of age.  In accepting the responsibility of being a Godparent, the person is saying he/she wishes to become involved in the faith life of that child.  Hopefully, the Godparent will be someone who will continually develop a relationship with the child to counsel, give assistance, and share faith as he/she grows to maturity.  We ask you to share these expectations with the Godparents you choose.