BAPTISMAL PREPARATION
THE GIFT OF BAPTISM — THE BEGINNINGS OF DISCIPLESHIP
Congratulations to parents and family members as you all prepare to celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism—the doorway into the life of faith and the first steps of our call to be loving and faithful disciples. We as a family of parishes rejoice and pray for you. Our role is to support you each step of the way and to make sure that our faith community is a second home where we gather as a family of faith to be inspired by Christ to share His love with the world.
We strive to create a sense of welcome, community and putting the Gospel into action. We do this in a variety of ways. I ask that you check out our website — www.chathamcatholic.ca to see all the things we offer families for faith, building of community and of course fun!! If you have any questions please contact us. We are always here to help!!
God bless!
Fr. John
BUSTED HALO – SACRAMENTS 101 – BAPTISM
Why, exactly, do Catholics have the practice of baptizing infants? What is the purpose of baptism and who can celebrate the sacrament of Baptism? Do the godparents of our child need to be married to each other? These are questions and more are answered in this edition of “Sacraments 101,” a web video series geared for those who’d like an introduction or refresher course on these important, tangible Catholic experiences of God. Baptism is the beginning of the sacramental life of the Church. So, let’s begin…
SOFIA INSTITUTE FOR TEACHERS – SYMBOLS OF BAPTISM
Questions we’ll answer:
-Why does God use symbols?
-How has God used symbols throughout human history?
-What is the meaning of each of the symbols in the Sacrament of Baptism?
FR. MIKE SCHMITZ – WHY BAPTIZING YOUR BABY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU CAN DO
Why does the Catholic Church baptize babies rather than wait until they are older and capable of choosing this sacrament for themselves? Salvation requires faith, and it can be challenging to understand how an infant accepts the truths of the Catholic Faith at the moment of Baptism. Today Fr. Mike uses an example from Mark’s Gospel to help us understand how the profession of faith by our parents at the moment of our Baptism prepares us to receive the gift of salvation later in our lives.
CATHOLIC CENTRAL – BAPTISM 101
What does it mean to be “born again in the spirit”? In “Catholic Central: Baptism,” Kai and Libby look at the first sacrament, which is common to all Christians (Jesus was also baptized). Even outside of Christianity – and often in movies and TV — entering into, and emerging from, water is a universal symbol of renewed life, a way of being born again “of water and the spirit.”
BISHOP ROBERT BARRON – STOP BEING A CHICKEN
Friends, the sacrament of Baptism is objective: the visible sign of invisible incorporation into the Mystical Body of Jesus. Every baptized person is, objectively speaking, a child of God, divinized, and destined to be a great saint. Therefore, we must not follow the prompts of worldly power or success. Running after such material things amounts to pecking on the ground like chickens.
FR. MIKE SCHMITZ – ROLE OF GODPARENTS FOR BAPTISM
Fr. Mike describes the role and responsibility of Godparents for those who are going to be baptized.