[vc_row bg_type=”” parallax_style=”” bg_image_new=”” layer_image=”” bg_image_repeat=”” bg_image_size=”” bg_cstm_size=”” bg_img_attach=”” parallax_sense=”” bg_image_posiiton=”” animation_direction=”” animation_repeat=”” video_url=”” video_url_2=”” u_video_url=”” video_opts=”” video_poster=”” u_start_time=”” u_stop_time=”” viewport_vdo=”” enable_controls=”” bg_override=”” disable_on_mobile_img_parallax=”” parallax_content=”” parallax_content_sense=”” fadeout_row=”” fadeout_start_effect=”” enable_overlay=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_pattern=”” overlay_pattern_opacity=”” overlay_pattern_size=”” overlay_pattern_attachment=”” multi_color_overlay=”” multi_color_overlay_opacity=”” seperator_enable=”” seperator_type=”” seperator_position=”” seperator_shape_size=”” seperator_svg_height=”” seperator_shape_background=”” seperator_shape_border=”” seperator_shape_border_color=”” seperator_shape_border_width=”” icon_type=”” icon=”” icon_size=”” icon_color=”” icon_style=”” icon_color_bg=”” icon_border_style=”” icon_color_border=”” icon_border_size=”” icon_border_radius=”” icon_border_spacing=”” icon_img=”” img_width=”” ult_hide_row=”” ult_hide_row_large_screen=”” ult_hide_row_desktop=”” ult_hide_row_tablet=”” ult_hide_row_tablet_small=”” ult_hide_row_mobile=”” ult_hide_row_mobile_large=””][vc_column][vc_column_text]
No Baptisms are offered during the Lent Season. Parents are expected to attend one Baptism class offered before the Baptism. Please contact the Parish Office at least 1 month before the preferred Baptism date.
To begin this process, please contact the Evangelize & Catechists Office at 410- 692- 6201
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_tta_accordion shape=”round” color=”black” active_section=”1″ collapsible_all=”true”][vc_tta_section title=”How to choose a godparent for your child?” tab_id=”1436424405774-875960fb-de12″][vc_column_text]HOW SHOULD WE SELECT GODPARENTSFOR OUR CHILD?
When it comes time to baptize a child, it is also time to select the godparents. This is a major decision. It is a spiritual matter, and the choice should be based upon spiritual criteria. There are a number of common reasons that miss the mark when some godparents are chosen.
Sometimes the choice is an effort to honor a special family member, relative or friend, with the thinking, “Since you have been so good to us, we would like to be good to you and honor you in return.”
Some use social criteria: “Who would we like to be present with us for major events in our child’s future, occasions like birthdays and graduations?”
Although parents usually are unwilling to admit this openly, another underlying question sometimes is: “Who is thoughtful enough to remember special occasions in my child’s life and would be generous enough to give nice gifts every year for their birthday or for Christmas?”
Or, “Who would we like to raise our child if something catastrophic would happen to us?”
Able and ready to help It is the duty of Christian parents to pass on the most precious gift of all, the gift of faith, to “bring the child up in the practice of the faith, [and to] see that the divine life which God gives them is kept safe from the poison of sin, to grow always stronger in their hearts” (Rite of Baptism for Children).
It is the duty of Christian godparents to assist the parents with this all important task. The godparent is “able and ready to help the newly baptized . . . on the road of the Christian life” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1255).Godparents cannot give or support what they do not have. Without the gift of faith themselves, they cannot support the faith in someone else.
Therefore, at least one godparent must be a fully initiated baptized Catholic. “Fully initiated” means someone who is baptized, has received their first holy Communion and is confirmed. This is the “letter of the law” and the minimum.
The catechism states that the godfather and godmother must be “firm believers” (No.1255).
The true intent is that the godparent be an active, practicing Catholic, someone who treasures the Catholic faith, provides good example and would joyfully and eagerly be a partner with the parents in raising the child in the faith. The godparent’s faith need not be perfect or mature, but it must be valued and active.
Other criteria The church gives a number of other specific criteria for the selection of godparents. “There is to be only one male or one female sponsor or one of each” (Canon 873). In addition, the god parent or sponsor is to be chosen by the person to be baptized if the candidate is an adult, or chosen by the parents if the one to be baptized is an infant or child.
The godparent must have completed the 16th year of age, unless an exception is granted for just cause. Examples of “just cause” would be a person who will be turning 16 in a matter of days or weeks, or a young person who is known to demonstrate an extraordinary piety or level of maturity.
The godparent should also be someone who leads a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on; not be bound by any canonical penalties; and not be the father or mother of the child. Finally, “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” (Canon 874.5.2). A non-Catholic may serve as a witness to the baptism, but is not officially the godparent, a role that is reserved to Catholics alone.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Congratulations on the birth of your baby!” tab_id=”1436424406107-32207128-c830″][vc_column_text]Congratulations on the birth of your baby! It is the aim of the Pastoral Staff and others involved in baptism preparation at St. Vincent Pallotti Parish to do our best to help prepare you for the celebration of the sacrament and for subsequent years.
We spend years in preparation for so many things in our lives. As our children grow up we will pay special attention to their needs. School and extracurricular activities will take up a great amount of your family time. You would not think twice of sending your son, or daughter out “into the world” without being as best prepared as they can be. Homework and endless hours of practice at any given number of activities will be a given in your household.
Knowing your intent and desire to prepare your son, or daughter for the years ahead keep in mind the time you commit to preparation for their religious and spiritual development as well. Baptism is not simply a cultural rite of initiation, or family social get together. Baptism is the gate to the sacraments and a door to the sacred.
Our goal as Christian parents is to prepare our children as best we can to embrace and understand this Catholic faith of ours. In being an integral component in our children’s faith formation we set the stage so that our children make the faith their own and take their place in participating and sharing in the mission and ministry of the Lord, Jesus. If there are any questions about the following guidelines please call Kristine Martin, Office Manager, at the Parish Office. We look forward to meeting you!
“Choosing godparents for your child is an important decision. Click here for more information.”
“Baptism is God’s most beautiful and magnificent gift… We call it gift, grace, anointing, enlightenment, garment of immortality, bath of rebirth, seal, and most precious gift. It is called gift because it is conferred on those who bring nothing of their own; grace since it is given even to the guilty; Baptism because sin is buried in the water; anointing for it is priestly and royal as are those who are anointed; enlightenment because it radiates light; clothing since it veils our shame; bath because it washes; and seal as it is our guard and the sign of God’s Lordship.”
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1216
Baptisms occur once a month at 12:45 pm (following the 11:30 am Mass).
A baptismal class will be required of the parents and takes place on the Thursday evening before the baptism. We ask that even if this is not your first child baptized (even here at St. Joseph or St. Patrick) that you still plan on attending. During this gathering parish representatives will address the nature of the sacrament and the order of events at the baptism. Also discussed will be ways and ideas that parents may utilize to help foster faith formation from newborn through preschool years. For this reason “experienced parents” are most helpful in aiding the conversation. Godparents are required attend.
Baptisms are not celebrated during the Season of Lent respecting the special nature of this liturgical season.
Baptisms are not private affairs. Baptism is rightly called a sacrament of welcoming. For in it we are welcomed into the Catholic community. It is the first of the Sacraments of Initiation; Baptism, Eucharist & Confirmation. We become members of the Body of Christ and are incorporated into the life of the Church. As such it is a sacrament rightly celebrated within the context of community.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_accordion][/vc_column][/vc_row]
