Newsletter Date Volume 1, Issue 1

CONTRATULATIONS!

Dear Parents,

Congratulations on your new baby! Thank you for contacting us about your child’s

baptism into the Catholic faith, this is a time for great joy and celebration. The deci-

sion you made 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 http://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 http://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 Chris Tardio, OLSH ( ) or Steve

Grippa, SSPP ( ).

Blessings,

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Information on the Sac-raments

Responsibilities of Par-ents and Godparents

The Rite of Baptism

Frequently Asked Ques-tions

Poems

Party and Clothing

St. Gerard/St. Joseph Prayers

SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST

It is through the example 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 gen-erations, including grand-parents, are engaged with the faith formation of young family members.

It is through the family that one journeying back to the faith can be awakened to, affirmed in, and encour-aged 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 Bap-tism. 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 Commun-ion 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 Sacra-ment of Holy Communion is also sometimes called the Eucharist. Confession Also known as the Sacrament of Penance and the Sacrament of Reconcilia-tion, 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 ad-vantage 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 Cath-olic Church. As a sacrament, it reflects the union of Jesus Christ and His Church. The Sacra-ment of Marriage is also known as the Sacrament of Matrimony. Holy Orders The continuation of Christ's priesthood, which He bestowed upon His Apos-tles. 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, Anoint-ing 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, danc-ing 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 grand-child, 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 re-

sponsibility 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, be-

cause 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 pray-

ers (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 bed-

time. 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 op-

portunities 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 commit-

ted 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 indi-

viduals 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 faith-

ful 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 fami-

ly 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 re-

sponsibility 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 as-

sist 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—RESPONSIBILIES

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 sacramental initiation, according to the order of initiation (c. 851) For children who are under the age of 7 (or who have been determined 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 personally 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. 9. What should I do with the baptismal certificate? Keep it in a safe place. You will need that Baptismal Certificate for just about everything in the life to come– faith formation registration, first communion, confirmation, marriage, and even annulment.

"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-played.

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 immersion.

THE BAPTISMAL PARTY

TRADITIONAL BAPTISM ATTIRE

Excerpted from The Catholic Home with permission of Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc