Celebrating the Sacrament of Baptism

 

 

Infant Baptism

 

Older than Seven years of age

 

 

Baptism for an infant at Saint Joseph 

The first step into the Church of our Triune God is through the springs of water welling up from the heart of our God.  It is life-giving water, given to refresh, renew and wash clean each of those who are the elect of God.  This Sacrament is celebrated by the whole faith community.  Because one enters the church and journey’s with the community through this action, and is the work of the holy People of God, the celebration is recommended and preferably celebrated within the context of the Holy Mass, on Sundays, when the Community gathers for prayer and renewal.   

 

There is a requirement in this parish for parents seeking baptism for their child, to establish three months of active membership in the parish, (including Mass attendance every week, as well as use of weekly collection envelopes,) and attend a baptismal theology update session, (at least once every five years,) prior to scheduling the baptism of their child.  Godparents are always invited to attend the session with the parents, but are not obligated to do so. (see below for rules concerning godparents)

 

Baptisms are scheduled as follows:

          On first Sunday of the month at the 11:30 AM Mass (a mass in Spanish)

          On the second Sunday of the month at the 9:00 AM Mass (English)

          On the third Sunday of the month at either of the 5:00 PM Saturday Mass,

           or the 7:30 PM Sunday evening Mass (both in English)

          Baptisms at any other time or day may be arranged with the pastor.

 

Rules regarding selection of Godparents and Sponsors for Sacraments:

                        from the Canons of our church law (canons 872-874)

          - Insofar as possible one to be baptized is to be given a sponsor who is to

            assist in adult Christian initiation, or, together with the parents, to present

            an infant at the baptism, and who will help the baptized to lead a Christian

            life in harmony with baptism, and to fulfill faithfully the obligations

            connected with it.

          - Only one male or one female sponsor or one of each sex is to be employed.

          - must be at least 16 years of age or older

          - must have received the Sacrament of Confirmation and full membership

          - must be an active participating Catholic, i.e. receiving the sacraments

                      (there must be no prohibitions levied from the law regarding

reception of the sacraments)

          - if married, must be married in the church

          - must be giving good example of moral life

          - must not be the father or the mother of the one to be baptized

                       (and at Saint Joseph Parish)

          - must be registered in a parish - and if unknown by the minister of baptism,

            provide a letter or certificate from the pastor of their home parish,

            signifying that this person is an active registered member of the parish,

            receiving the sacraments and fulfills the canonical requirements to serve in

            the capacity of godparent or sponsor

           

Celebrating the Sacrament of Baptism for an older child (more than 7 years of age, an adolescent, teen or an adult at Saint Joseph

If one who is not an infant feels God’s call to be baptized or has questions about membership in the church, about God, about things Catholic or catholic, and would like answers to their questions, would begin attending the Inquiry meetings, (this is the first rite of) the Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults, (i.e. R.C.I.A.,) or The Rites as adapted for children.  

When one has exhausted their questions, the Core Team of the parish will continue during the Inquiry meetings, to present more and more information, to help in formulating other questions. 

In dialogue with the Pastor and Core Team, if an Inquirer desires to take the next step in the journey of becoming Catholic, The Rite of Catechumen will be put into the calendar for the parish, during a Sunday Mass, to welcome the Inquirer as a Catechumen.  A Catechumen is one who professes for the first time publicly that Jesus Christ is Lord.  The journey draws on the strength of that profession to deepen the catechumen’s spirituality and knowledge of God, His saints and His church of living stones.

Catechumens are baptized at the Easter Vigil.  The person is a Catechumen for at least one full cycle of the church year, from Easter to Easter.  The time on the journey helps a person to discern with the help of the Holy Spirit whether to make the commitment to being a Catholic, accepting the teachings of the Church as being revealed by God, and live the life of Catholic. 

Attendance at Mass every week is not only an expectation of the church, but enjoys a favored position in the general statutes of church law.  Catholics are expected to be at Mass every Sunday so that they can nourish their soul with the Word and the Sacrament of Eucharist.

There are three sacraments in the initiatory rites of the church.  A Catechumen is Baptized, Confirmed and given Eucharist for the first time at the Easter Vigil, admitting them to membership in the Roman Catholic Church, with all of its rights and privileges and all of its burden of responsibility. 

The last Rite of the R.C.I.A., is the Mystagogy.  Weekly meetings to help a person to reflect on the whole journey and the meanings of all elements of the journey, is matter for the mystagogy.

Hopefully, during the journey, the catechumens will involve themselves in the ministries of the parish, working alongside of full members of the church, getting to know one another and sharing the graces that come from relationship with each other and God.

All are welcome to call our R.C.I.A. Coordinator, and ask about the process.