Newsletter Date

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