Espiritu Santo Catholic Church

Transcription

1 Espiritu Santo Catholic Church There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all. Ephesians 4:5-6

2 Beginning the Journey of Faith: Infant Baptism A Parish Celebration Espiritu Santo Catholic Church 2405 Philippe Parkway Safety Harbor, Florida Office (727) Fax (727) Monday Friday 8:30 A.M. 4:30 P.M.

3 Preparing for Infant Baptism The purpose of this booklet is to assist you in taking a more sacrament will be a more memorable and meaningful experience for you and your family. In the past, the practice of baptizing infants involved little preparation. In many parishes there was a set time when parents brought their children to the church and the priest baptized them all. However, in the early church, Baptism was conferred once a year at Easter time. Those who were baptized were usually adults who had spent the forty days of Lent preparing for Baptism and their entry into the Church. Time and history brought about changes in these practices. Baptisms were scheduled more frequently and in time the majority of those baptized on any given Sunday were infants. The Rite of Baptism used for the past 400 years child by name is thereby answered by the godparents. The new Rite of Baptism for infants takes the true state of the child into account. The questions are now addressed to the parents and not to the child. The Rite emphasizes

4 preparation for the Sacrament, parental responsibility and baptism is a family affair that concerns your family and the Through the Sacrament of Baptism, your child enters into the Body of Christ and thus becomes a Christian, a member do for your child, -- feeding, dressing, washing, caring, -- you will be training and disciplining him/her to do these things for themselves. The same is true for the Sacrament of Baptism which you now request for your child: everything that you do must ensure that the gift of faith, given in Baptism, becomes their personal possession, so that one day they can assume personal responsibility for living and practicing their faith. Theology of Baptism The theology of Baptism is essential in our understanding of the significance of the sacrament. Baptism makes us a new creation in Christ. The child is washed clean of the stain of original sin thus being restored to a state of grace and purity. The child also enters into the Body of Christ, thus becoming a member of the Church.

5 In B unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too -4). Hence, we become Christians through Baptism and as such we accept the cross of Christ and fruits of his resurrection. We embrace the cross and the struggles, sacrifices, and ultimate glory that stem from it. Each baptized person is given a tri-fold baptismal role to fulfill: the role of priest, prophet, and king. Just as Christ was anointed priest, prophet, and king, so too is each baptized individual. The baptized Christian fulfills the baptismal role of priest by living a life of sacrifice for others while maintaining a well-balanced prayer life focused around giving the greatest praise, worship, and glory to God. To be a prophet means to speak the word of God to others constantly pointing out the injustices in society. Finally, through B Kingdom. The baptismal role of king requires the Christian to reflect the justice and mercy of God toward all, especially to the poor, the oppressed, and the outcast.

6 Symbols There are several symbols used in Baptism. The most obvious is the water. Water is what gives us life;; it nourishes us and washes us clean. The waters of Baptism wash away all sins and gives the person new life in Christ. The sign of the cross, which is traced on the forehead of the child, reminds us of our new life following Christ, who calls us to pick up our cross and follow him. The white garment is a symbol showing that we are a new creation in Christ since our souls are made pure and clean. The Paschal Candle represents Christ who is the light of the world and the candle which is lit from it reminds us that each baptized Christian is called to reflect the light of Christ to the world. Finally, the oil used to anoint represents the Holy Spirit. In Baptism, the individual receives the gift of the Holy Spirit. Just as Christ was anointed priest, prophet, and king, so too is the newly baptized.

7 Decision to Baptize The decision to have your child baptized is not one to be taken lightly. At the beginning of the Rite, you will be asked, should be able to answer with conviction and dedication, r awareness of what this sacrament is and your awareness of the responsibilities you assume. As a result of Baptism, your child will become a child of God. Together with the Christian community, he/she will be able Heaven introduces your child into the Church. These are the people Baptism and one God and Baptism and faith lead these people to daily practice of the Gospel commandments: love of God and love of neighbor. It is within this Church that your child will grow in personal faith.

8 Parental Responsibility The Baptism ceremony begins and ends;; however, the baptismal life is a continuous growth which you, the parents, must foster. We can compare this life of God given in baptism with the human life your child has recently begun. Your family life should be dedicated to making your child grow into a mature adult. You will train and discipline your child to do for themselves what you do for them now. As a result of Baptism, your child becomes a Christian;; however it is your responsibility as Christian parents to see that your child becomes a mature Christian. This responsibility begins with you looking at your own faith and how you put it into practice on a daily basis. Do you honestly intend to share your faith and the faith of the Church with your child through your own example so that your child will come to know, love, and serve God and neighbor as a practicing member of the Church? In presenting your child for Baptism, you are accepting this responsibility. God gave us the gift of faith through people. It is a faith which must grow and develop. If your answer is negative, then you must question why you wish to have your child baptized. Baptism is not a magical rite nor is it merely an occasion for a family gathering and party. Baptism is the first sacrament of initiation which must be lived out on a daily basis.

9 In deciding to have your child baptized, you do not stand alone in this responsibility. The Church will be a constant source of encouragement and support as your child grows in the faith. In your task as the primary educator of your child in the ways of faith, you will be helped by the Church. In the religious education programs which we provide to prepare your child for the reception of the other sacraments and the living out of a good Christian life. In Baptism, God is inviting you to a greater awareness of your own faith and to share your faith with your child;; however, you are also called to help form this gift of faith in your child through your active cooperation. The words of name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all that I have commanded you. -20). How will your parenthood give flesh to this command of Christ? It is within the family that your child will learn the first lessons about the great glory that God has bestowed on them. development, he/she should learn everything through your guidance, love and respect. As a result, your child will eventually be abl

10 Your child is a child of promise. Even in the midst of your present joy, you look forward to what this child will be, with the many wishes and dreams which your love will always prompt. As parents, you wish to do your best to make all your dreams and promises come true. You will pass on all that is good and true: your best qualities and faith. The new Rite of Infant Baptism recognizes the importance of your role in the baptism of your child. There is no attempt to pretend that your child would request Baptism if only they could speak. Your child is dependent on you for everything, including their faith. When your child is born, he/she is welcomed into a family bound by love and blood. On the day of Baptism, the Catholic Church and in particular this faith community of Espiritu Santo stands ready to welcome your child. We are a community bound by love and faith: the Catholic Church of Jesus Christ. Godparents The choice of godparents is very important since they take upon themselves a responsibility similar to that of the parents. This choice should not be merely the fulfillment of a social obligation, or the mark of honor or respect for a relat

11 relationship is not necessarily with the newly baptized child. Instead, the relationship clearly is to be with the parents, with the adults The rite is very explicit about this, for it asks the sponsors about supporting and witnessing to the parents rather than to the child. The godparent, therefore, assists the parents, who lead the child to profess the faith, and the godparent gives living witness to the parents. The godparent is expected to be godparent to the family and household, rather than only to the individual child. This is a wonderful image of the Church into which the child is initiated: adults supporting adults in faith, witnessing to and with one another the faith they proclaim, leading their children into this network of relationships by which Christ is revealed and faith is evoked. The person to be godparent must be 16 years of age and is expected to be sufficiently mature for this role. He or she should also be fully initiated into the Catholic Church by Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. The godparent must also be practicing member of the Catholic Church, whose life reflects the teachings of the Gospels. Non-Catholic Christians may be witnesses;; however, one godparent must be a practicing Catholic who meets the above mentioned criteria.

12 Summary of Guidelines 1. The Celebration of Baptism for children is a family affair that concerns the parents, the immediate family, and the Christian family of Espiritu Santo. Baptism envisions that parents are in relationship with a community of believers. This network of relationship assures you of the support and help you need before, during, and after the baptism of your child. This is why it is necessary for you to be registered members of this faith community that welcomes your child. 2. Baptism is the ritual celebration of the faith of adult Your own faith, therefore, is the essential element in the baptism of your child. As parents, you will engage in a long-term process of formation: a process affecting your as well as your child. The Celebration of Baptism is built on the premise that you are or plan to be a practicing Catholic. 3. Each child to be baptized is to have a least ONE Catholic godparent who is at least sixteen years of age and who is sufficiently mature for this role. This godparent must be practicing their Catholic faith and also have received all of the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation). The godparent will need to present a letter from his or her parish

13 certifying that he or she is a member in good standing and qualified to act as a godparent. If the godparent cannot be present in person at the baptism, that godparent will need to appoint another Catholic person to serve as proxy. 4. When there are two godparents, one must be male and the other female. If there is only one godparent, gender linkage is not compulsory. A baby girl does not require a female godparent, nor does a baby boy godparent dictate that a male godparent be used. Maturity in faith is the more important criterion. 5. It has been the custom to present an offering to the Church on the occasion of Baptism. This is completely sacrament. God gives His gifts freely and the only return expected is that of a life well-lived in the spirit of His Son, Jesus Christ. If you wish to make an offering, you should do so out of a wish to assist the community of which your child now becomes a part. 6. community by practicing their faith with loyalty and joy, then that faith will never grow. The parents must make a personal decision of practicing the faith in which their child will be baptized;; otherwise, baptism is a meaningless ceremony. We hope that these

14 guidelines will create an awareness of the responsibility of the parents in dealing with the spiritual welfare of their children. Required Documentation Godparent/Witness Forms 4. Godparent letters from the parish of membership 5. Non-Participating Parent Consent Document (required only if one parent is non-catholic and will **** Please note that it is the responsibility of the parents to submit all the required documents to the parish office before the actual date of Baptism can be scheduled.***

15 Notes

16 ESCC 2/1/08