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Volume 1, Issue 1 CONGRATULATIONS!
Dear Parents,
Congratulations on your new baby! This is a time for great joy and celebration. The
decision to have your child baptized shows that you recognize the importance of God in
your life and your responsibility to raise your child in the Catholic faith. Our Lady of the
Sacred Heart Parish and Sts. Peter and Paul Parish rejoices with you as you make
arrangements for your baby’s baptismal date.
In order to assist you in your child’s faith development, enclosed are some resources to
get you started on your journey:
• -Information that explains the sacraments, starting with baptism
• -Responsibilities of the parents and godparents
• -Frequently asked questions
• -Catholic Online link to hear about patron saints www.catholic.org/saints/
saint.php?saint_id=150 (check out St. Gerard Majella, patron saint of expectant
mothers, if expecting) and choose a baptism name catholicsaints.info/baptismal-and
-confirmation-names/. Also, think about selecting a patron saint for the family,
http://catholicmom.com/2012/10/28/picking-a-patron-saint-for-your-family/
• -St. Gerard and St Joseph Prayers
• -Our websites http://olshcatholic.church/, http://ssppcatholic.church and pastoral
region bulletin http://catholicreading.church/bulletins/ inviting you to experience
our parish life
God’s blessings on you and your family as you prepare for this important and happy
occasion in your child’s life. We are excited about walking this journey with you and will
contact you to discuss the next steps.
If you have any questions, please contact Sally Dietrich at OLSH (733-4950) or Pat
Panczeca at SSPP (554-1010).
Blessings,
The Baptism Sacramental Team of The Collaborative Pastoral Region of Reading, Ohio.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
♦ Information on the
Sacraments
♦ Responsibilities of
Parents and God-
parents
♦ The Rite of Baptism
♦ Frequently Asked
Questions
♦ Poems
♦ Party and Clothing
♦ St. Gerard/St. Jo-
seph Prayers
SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST
♦ It is through the ex-
ample of mothers and
fathers, grandparents,
siblings, and extended
family members that
one most concretely
witnesses how to live
a Christian life.
♦ It is vital that multiple
generations, including
grandparents, are
engaged with the faith
formation of young
family members.
♦ It is through the fami-
ly that one journeying
back to the faith can
be awakened to, af-
firmed in, and en-
couraged by the love
and mercy of Christ.
STS. PETER AND PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH
THE SACRAMENTS
Sacraments are an outward sign instituted by Christ and entrusted to the church to give grace.
Baptism The Sacrament of Baptism, the first of the three sacraments of initiation, is also the
first of the seven sacraments in the Catholic Church. It removes the guilt and effects of
Original Sin and incorporates the baptized into the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ on
earth. We cannot be saved without baptism.
Confirmation The Sacrament of Confirmation is the second of the three sacraments of
initiation because, historically, it was administered immediately after the Sacrament of
Baptism. Confirmation perfects our baptism and brings us the graces of the Holy Spirit that
were granted to the Apostles on Pentecost Sunday.
Holy Communion While Catholics in the West today normally make their First Communion
before they receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, the Sacrament of Holy Communion, the
reception of Christ's Body and Blood, was historically the third of the three sacraments of
initiation. This sacrament, the one we receive most often throughout our lives, is the source of
great graces that sanctify us and help us grow in the likeness of Jesus Christ. The Sacrament of
Holy Communion is also sometimes called the Eucharist.
Confession Also known as the Sacrament of Penance and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, is
one of the least understood, and least utilized, sacraments in the Catholic Church. In
reconciling us to God, it is a great source of grace, and Catholics are encouraged to take
advantage of it often, even if they are not aware of having committed a mortal sin.
Marriage Marriage is a lifelong union between a man and a woman for procreation and
mutual support, is a natural institution, but it is also one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic
Church. As a sacrament, it reflects the union of Jesus Christ and His Church. The Sacrament of
Marriage is also known as the Sacrament of Matrimony.
Holy Orders The continuation of Christ's priesthood, which He bestowed upon His Apostles.
There are three levels to this sacrament of ordination: the episcopate, the priesthood, and the
diaconate.
Anointing of the Sick Traditionally referred to as Extreme Unction or Last Rites, Anointing
of the Sick is administered both to the dying and to those who are gravely ill or are about to
undergo a serious operation, for the recovery of their health and for spiritual strength.
https://www.thoughtco.com/sacraments-of-the-catholic-church-542136
BAPTISM POEMS
“Precious one, so small, so sweet, dancing in on angel
feet.
Straight from heaven's brightest star
What a miracle you are!"
- Author Unknown
"Twinkle, twinkle tiny light, little eyes that shine so
bright,
a precious baby girl from heaven above, fills our hearts
with so much love."
- Author Unknown
"I held you so tightly in my arms
Traced your fingers that were gently curled
Through tears of joy, I whispered quietly
My beautiful grandchild, welcome to the world."
"A baby boy is so unique
So tiny, sweet and ever meek.
It's fun to imagine what he thinks
Between those coos and little blinks.
Though now he's just a babe, you'll find
That busy is his little mind.
Learning, watching, listening
To every single little thing.
As you look into his eyes
You see such wonder and surprise
He's just so sweet, and when he smiles
Your heart just soars for miles and miles."
- Andra McCoy
The Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, First communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Holy Orders, Anointing of the Sick
“Parents and godparents, you have asked to have your child baptized, in doing so you are accepting the responsibility
of bringing him/her up in the practice of the faith. It will be your duty to teach him/her to keep God’s commandments
as Christ taught us, by loving God and our neighbor. Do you clearly understand what you are undertaking?” --Rite of
Baptism.
Most children who are baptized are too young to fully understand the gift of faith they are
receiving. It is the parents and godparents who are passing on their own faith to their
child. This is why it is important that the child be brought up to understand and appreciate
the amazing gift they have received at baptism. Parents and godparents make a solemn
promise to do this as part of the baptismal ritual. This promise should be fulfilled in many
ways:
Bring your child to church. It is important to begin bringing your child to church, especially to Mass each weekend.
Even at a very young age, a child begins to pick up the environment of faith and will experience the great love of God at
Mass. Many parents feel uncomfortable bringing their young children to Mass, because they may make a lot of noise.
Don’t worry, because you have the option of using the cry room (at Sts. Peter & Paul) or hallway (at Our Lady of the
Sacred Heart) to calm or correct an unruly or upset child.
Teach your child to pray. Times for simple prayer each day help a child to develop a relationship
with God and the habit of conversing with God. A few memorized prayers (Our Father, Hail
Mary, Glory Be) or prayers in the child’s own words for loved ones or for special needs can be an
effective way to pray in the morning or at bedtime. Saying grace, thanking God for your food at
mealtime, is also recommended. Special practices can mark the different seasons of the Church
year, such as lighting an Advent wreath, setting up a Christmas manger scene in your living room,
“giving up” or “working on” something for Lent.
Teach your child what we believe as Catholics. Introducing your child to the beauty of our Catholic faith can be done at
a young age and helps your child’s spiritual development. There are many children’s books which describe bible
stories, lives of the saints, what happens at Mass, at a level appropriate for your child. If you need a refresher as
parents on what our Catholic faith is all about, check out Formed (formed.org) and discover hundreds of Catholic
video programs, movies, audios and e-books. Formed offers many opportunities for men, women, couples, young
adults, teenagers and younger children to grow in faith.
Make sure your marriage is blessed in the Church. The loving, lifelong, and committed
relationship of marriage is at the foundation of any family. A strong marriage provides both
spouses and children the firm foundation on which to flourish as individuals and grow in love.
Marriage between a baptized man and a baptized woman has the added dignity of being a
sacrament, a sign of God’s total, eternal, and faithful love for us. We believe it is important, if you
are not married or were married outside the church, to have your marriage blessed in the church.
Marriage and family life is always a challenge, but God is ready to help us with his strength and
love. We would be glad to help you through the process of getting your marriage blessed.
Complete your child’s initiation in the faith. baptism is the first step to initiating your child in the faith. When your
child is of school age, be sure to enroll them in religious education classes at the parish, so that they can be prepared
for First Communion in the second grade and later Confirmation.
Live your faith at home. This is really the most important thing you can do to live up to your baptismal responsibility
as parents. While going to Church and attending religious education classes are important, the reality is that you are
the primary educators of your child in the ways of the faith. The parish is here to assist you in any way we can, but we
can only assist, we cannot replace your role as parents. Remember your primary responsibility in life is to get your
spouse and children to heaven.
THE RITE OF BAPTISM—RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Why Baptize?
Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life,
the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis
ianua),4 and the door which gives access to the other
sacraments. Through baptism we are freed from sin
and reborn as sons of God; we become members of
Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made
sharers in her mission: "Baptism is the sacrament of
regeneration through water in the word."5 (c. 1213)
2. Who can be baptized?
Every person not yet baptized and only such a person
is capable of being baptized (c. 864). There is no
such thing as "re-baptism," although baptism can be
administered conditionally if there is a serious doubt if a person was baptized. (c. 869) For adults, an adult who intends to
receive baptism is to be admitted to the catechumenate and is to be led insofar as possible through the various stages to sacra-
mental initiation, according to the order of initiation (c. 851) For children who are under the age of 7 (or who have been deter-
mined to have attained the 'use of reason'), the parents of an infant to be baptized and those who are to undertake the function of
godparent are to be instructed properly on the meaning of this sacrament and the obligations attached to it. The pastor personal-
ly or through others is to take care that the parents are properly instructed through both pastoral advice and common prayer,
bringing several families together and, where possible, visiting them.
Parents are obliged to take care that infants are baptized in the first few weeks; as soon as possible after the birth or even before
it, they are to go to the pastor to request the sacrament for their child and to be prepared properly for it. (c. 867).
3. Can my child's baptism be postponed or delayed?
For an infant to be baptized licitly, 1) the parents or at least one of them or the person who legitimately takes their place must
consent; and 2) there must be a founded hope that the infant will be brought up in the Catholic religion. if such hope is alto-
gether lacking, the baptism is to be delayed... after the parents have been advised about the reason. (c. 868)
4. What is the form of baptism?
Baptism is to be conferred either by immersion or by pouring. (c. 854)
5. What names can be given at the time of baptism?
Parents, sponsors, and the pastor are to take care that a name foreign to Christian sensibility is not given.
6. Where can baptism be celebrated?
Apart from a case of necessity, the proper place of baptism is a church or oratory. As a rule an adult is to be baptized in his or
her parish church and an infant in the parish church of the parents unless a just cause suggests otherwise.(c. 857) The place of
baptism does not effect the validity of baptism.
7. Who can be a godparent?
There is to be only one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each. (c. 873) There are only two godparents for a child.
To be permitted to take on the function of a godparent a person must:
• be designated by the one to be baptized, by the parents or the person who takes their place, or in their absence by the pastor
or minister and have the aptitude and intention of fulfilling this function;
• have completed the sixteenth year of age, unless the diocesan bishop has established another age, or the pastor or minister
has granted an exception for a just cause;
• be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist and who leads a
life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on (if married, the person must be in a marriage recognized as valid by
the Church);
• not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared;
• not be the father or mother of the one to be baptized.(c. 874)
A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community is not to participate except together with a Catholic
sponsor and then only as a witness of the baptism. (c. 874) Non-baptized persons are not able to serve either as a godparent or
as a witness to the baptism.
8. What will I take home after the baptism? You will leave the celebration with a candle, in addition to a baptized baby. During the ceremony the candle is lit from the large
Easter candle to symbolize your child's freedom from darkness by the Light of Christ. Hang on to this candle for future home-
based celebrations. You can store it in your freezer too. As your daughter or son gets older, you can use this candle as a founda-
tion for teaching what it means to share the Light of Christ.
"And He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them." Mark 10:16
By custom, your baptism party menu should be dominat-
ed by white, light, and sweet foods. Decorate with
white flowers, balloons, and more candles. Scallop
shells are also used to symbolize baptism, even
though they were originally pagan fertility symbols.
Did you string little white lights during Christmas?
Well, you can use them again for this party. Bring
out the dove collection you displayed for Easter and
Pentecost! Put out a baby book and ask guests to
write a little something about your child's baptism or
perhaps their own. Siblings involved? Maybe they
could be persuaded to compose a special poem, craft
a banner, or have pictures of their own baptisms dis-
Traditional baptism clothing is
white for your child. This repre-
sents "putting on Christ" (purity
of faith, cleansing power of
baptism, and symbolizes the
white garments Jesus wore
when placed in the tomb on
Good Friday). Sometimes the
church provides a white robe or
stole to be used during the cere-
mony and kept afterward to
commemorate the occasion. If
your family doesn't already
have an heirloom baptism
gown, here are two other tradi-
tions to consider:
•Fashioning baptismal robes out
of the same cloth that was used
to create the mother's wedding
gown or train
•Assigning godparents the tra-
ditional honor of providing the
baptism gown
•Note: You'll be dressing your
baby at home and will not have
to undress him/her for the rite,
but do bring a towel and a
change of
clothes if
you're opt-
ing for full
immer-
sion.
THE BAPTISMAL PARTY
TRADITIONAL BAPTISM ATTIRE
Excerpted from The Catholic Home with permission of Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc