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To Baptize:
A Parent’s Decision
There is something beautiful about a beginning. Even before a baby is born, the whole family is at work preparing. There must be a crib and clothing. If there are older children in the family, they too must be prepared for the arrival of their new brother or sister. There is a name to be chosen and serious considerations of new routines. You want to be sure that everything is ready for the new life that will come to your family.
You realize the responsibility you have of raising your child. This infant will be totally dependent upon you for food, for language, for early education. The child will learn and grow by example. The responsibility is great, but you accept it in love: the first great act of love for our child.
You will be the source of the child’s notions of right and wrong, of how it feels to be loved and to love. “How, how peaceful!” you have heard said of a tiny baby. And it’s true: innocent and peaceful, still untouched by a world not always so innocent and peaceful. You realize that children will be affected for better or worse by the world into which they are born. And you wish you could somehow spare your child from the tension, greed and hatred that are part of the world.
At baptism, with the support of godparents and of the whole church, your child enters a community of people living to overcome the greed and hatred that are part of our humanity. This community lives its life set against our sinful directions, against “original sin” itself. At the celebration of baptism, you pledge yourselves to rearing this child in a way of Christ and against the sinful inclinations of humanity.
The decision to have your baby baptized must come only after serious reflection. Why? Because baptism does not end once the liturgy is over. Nor is baptism something which pertains to the child alone: you are involved.
Bringing your child to the baptismal font expresses your commitment to raise the child in the Christian faith. This faith needs to be awakened, strengthened and developed as the child matures. To present your child for baptism is to accept responsibility for the growth of that faith expressed when the Christian church baptizes.
Parents who ask that their child be baptized into Christ have the most significant part to play in the passing on the Christian life to their offspring. It is through them that the child will come to know the love of God. It is through them that the child will learn to be beyond the family circle and become involved in the larger community in which he/she lives. Through the parents, the child will acquire an awareness of being a living and active member of the church.
Christian parents do not force their faith upon a child but lovingly profess their own belief in one Lord. Parents should baptize their child not because it is the custom, but because they sincerely desire the Christian life for the child. Parents who value their own faith and baptism will want to share the life of Christ they have inherited. Later, the child’s faith will be based on what he/she has learned and experienced in the home and community from the very first days of life.
Because the responsibility of Christian parents is such a serious one, and often difficult, it is very understandable that they should invite family and friends to assist in the responsibility of raising a child in the Christian life. It is the godparents who most explicitly assumes the responsibility with the parents and will be ready to help the parents raise their child in the knowledge of the Lord.
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At What Age Should Baptism Occur?
It is the first of three sacraments of initiation.
In the Catholic tradition, infants (and young children) receive the sacrament of baptism to celebrate their entrance into the faith community. Parents vow to take on the responsibility of raising their child in the Catholic Faith. Parents and godparents gather with family and the Catholic Community to formalize their acceptance of this long-term commitment.
Older children and adults may receive the sacrament of baptism at the Easter Vigil by entering a faith formation process of discernment and conversion. At Holy Family, this RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation) process is called Footsteps.
There is no “wrong” time to baptize.
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Regarding Godparents:
What is the Role of Godparents?
[enter text on the godparent certificate]
Who do you chose as a godparent?
- Christian relatives or friends who serve as a Christian role model for your child.
- Someone who gives witness to God in their everyday lives.
- Someone who is willing to maintain a long-term relationship with your child.
- Someone you would entrust with the raising of your child in faith.
- A proxy for the ceremony may be chosen if the godparent cannot attend.
What are the Requirements of Canon Law?
- One of each gender.
- One must be a confirmed Catholic, and another must be a baptized Christian, at least 16 years of age
- If you feel your special circumstances require additional godparents, you can name additional Christian witnesses, but only 2 godparents are included on the Baptism Certificate.
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Overview of Baptism Preparation Session
Couples who are expecting their first child or who are new to the parish are expected to attend a preparation process well in advance of their baptism. This is scheduled through the parish office. We recommend childcare arrangements be made to facilitate full participation of parents attending these sessions. Both parents should schedule time to attend this session.
The Baptism Preparation session is held on the first Saturday of the month immediately following the 4:30 pm Liturgy, in the rectory. This one 3-hour session is lead by Fr. Pat Brennan, Deacon Mike Braddock, or Deacon Jim Multeri along with lay facilitators. Pizza is served.
Topics include theology of baptism and sin, symbols of Baptism, the role of godparents, and an overview of the Baptism Ceremony.
Lay minister couples are trained to facilitate a faith discussion in this small Christian community centered on raising children in the faith. Couples are supported and encouraged to explore their faith journey and entertain the commitment of their child’s baptism.
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The Baptismal Ceremony
What is involved in the baptism ceremony?
There is a basic outline to the rite of baptism. The presider and Hospitality Minister will assist parents and families participating in baptism during Sunday afternoon sessions at 1:00, and 11:00 mass.
- Opening questions to parents
- Opening questions to Godparents
- Signing with the Cross
- Liturgy of the Word/homily
- Blessing of the Font
- Renewal of Baptismal Promise
- Baptisms - immersion or sprinkling
- Blessing with Chrism
- Sharing of Light
- Placing of Baptismal Garment
- Signing of the Senses (optional)
What You Should Know About The Baptism Ceremony
- Baptism ceremonies are held at 1:00 pm on the first three Sundays of the month. Couples and godparents should arrive at the church by 12:40 to meet with someone from Baptismal Hospitality.
- Baptisms are also held during the 11:00 mass on the 4th Sunday of the month. Couples and godparents should arrive at 10:30 am to meet with someone from Baptismal Hospitality.
- Priest and Deacon presiders rotate each Sunday.
- The worship office will contact you the week before your baptismal date to get information for the baptismal certificate. You will need the correct spelling of the parents, godparents and godchild’s name, date and place of birth.
- Music will be provided by our music ministry. We ask for your participation.
Click here to obtain and print a map for visiting family and friends.
Suggestions for the Baptism ceremony
- Cameras and videos are welcome. Assign in advance to someone other than the godparent or parent, who is not involved in the ceremony.
- Family members are welcome to join parents and godparents at the font, on the altar side, during their child’s baptism.
- Large towels are provided for both immersions and non-immersion baptisms.
- Please remain for the family photo (parents, child and siblings) after the ceremony.
- Carefully review baptism certificate for errors. It will be presented to you at the end of the ceremony.
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What do the Baptism Symbols Mean?
Water
Water is a symbol of both life and death. Its use in baptism is central to the sacrament representing taking on a new life in Christ.
You may choose one of two options to baptize your child at Holy Family: sprinkling or immersion.
In the first option, baptismal water is sprinkled over the forehead three times, “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
Immersion is a more dramatic and powerful water ritual. In immersion, the child’s backside is immersed (not submersed) into the baptismal water three times symbolizing that the newly baptized is dying to sin and rising to new life. Immersion is most similar to the baptism performed by early Christians.
Candle
The baptismal candle is a symbol of the light of Christ which is coming into the child’s life.
The Paschal [Easter] Candle is always lit and present near the altar during mass and baptism ceremonies. The Paschal Candle represents the light of Christ.
The baptismal candle is provided by our Hospitality Minister, lit from the Paschal candle after the water baptism. The lit candle is presented to the baptized, held by the father or a godparent during the remainder of the ceremony. The presentation of light represents how the newly baptized will become a son or daughter of “the light.”
We encourage the use of the baptismal candle at family birthday celebrations to celebrate the anniversary of being baptized into the Christian family.
White garment
White is a symbol of transition and change; purity and cleansing. Its use in the baptism is a visible sign of putting on Christ, of taking on a new way of life.
Baptismal garments are created by our Creative Sewing Ministry.
Infants are given a white bib, and older children receive a small stole.
We present this to your child in community as an outward sign that we, as fellow Christians, also accept the responsibility of helping you as you raise your child in the faith of the Catholic Church.
Oil
Oil is a symbol used in many sacraments representing power and strength which comes from the Lord. It also has healing properties.
Chrism means “to anoint.” This baptismal oil, chrism, is olive oil with special perfume which is blessed by the bishop in a special ceremony once a year. In the baptismal ceremony it is used to anoint forehead of the newly baptized. This oil is used to anoint a baptized Christian in the sacraments of Confirmation and Ordination.
The anointing of the heads of the newly baptized with chrism is accompanied with a declaration which shows that Baptism is the foundation of Christian life : «God (...) has freed you from sin and willed that you be born again of water and the Holy Spirit, uniting you with his people, he himself consecrates you with the chrism of salvation so that as part of Christ, priest, king and prophet you may be members of his body for life everlasting». With Baptism the whole of our existence is called to become living witness.
The presider may also choose to anoint the breastbone during the baptism ceremony using the Oil of Catechumens. This is plain olive oil which is blessed by the bishop
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the water in the font very cold?
The water in the baptismal font is heated for all baptisms.
What if I change my mind and choose immersion after I schedule my baptism?
Just tell us. We like to know in advance whether sprinkling or immersion is chosen so our Hospitality Minister can provide you with a large towel. We also like to perform the immersion baptisms before the sprinkling baptisms to give parents time to dress their child for the remainder of the ceremony.
What happens if I don’t baptize my infant immediately after birth?
In medieval times, Christian theologians termed a state of being, limbo, to explain where unbaptized souls go. Until Vatican II, this was teaching of the Catholic Church. We now recognize baptism as an essential sacrament of the Catholic faith requiring spiritual maturity of the parents, or the discerned older child or adult entering the Catholic faith. The ceremony is only one component of the baptism process. It is a celebration with family and the Catholic community. It’s a ritual which formalizes the vow of parents and godparents who commit to raising their child in the faith. As such, the parents best decide on the timing. There should be no fear of punishment for unbaptized infants who may fall ill.
When is the best time to schedule my (expected) child’s baptism?
Baptism requires parents commit time to this essential sacramental preparation. Since most parents choose to baptize soon after birth, we encourage all those choosing baptism for their infants to register with the baptism intake person entering their third trimester. This merely makes it easier to schedule the baptism at the family convenience after completion of the preparation process.
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Contacts
If you have a child to be baptized, contact the worship office at 847- 359-0042.
If you have further questions about our ministry, or feel called to serve in our ministry, please contact Lesley and Mark Niggemann.
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