Infant Baptism Process & Procedures

History and Theology of Baptism

Baptism is the sacrament by which one becomes a Christian.  The origin of the  word is from the Greek baptizing, to immerse.  According to Saint Paul, baptism comprises three elements:

·        It establishes a vital union with Christ in the saving event of His life

·        It bestows the Holy Spirit

·        It establishes the Body of Christ, the solemn Christian assembly

The Christians gradually developed their baptismal rituals.  At the end of the first century, baptism was performed in “living water” i.e.(streams or rivers)

The preferred manner of baptizing was through immersion, although pouring was also accepted.  By the late third and early fourth centuries, the ritual for baptizing was very much established.  The great baptisteries of Northern Africa and Southern Europe are testimonies to the importance both of the rite and the sacrament in the life of the Church.  The ritual involved immersion in lots of water and anointing with oil.

The sixth and seventh centuries brought decline in the ritual as it gradually became privatized and minimized.  The baptism of children became the norm and the amount of water reduced to a minimum.

The second Vatican Council returned to the great baptismal period of the Church (third-fourth centuries) and reintroduced the traditional ritual of baptism by immersion.  In addition, baptism of adults again became the norm after which infant baptism was modeled.

Expectations of the Catholic Church

1. A firm desire of the parents to be the teachers of their child in the faith

    and to raise their child in the Catholic Church.

2. A reasonable assurance that the child will have the opportunity to grow in

    the Catholic Christian faith, knowing Jesus and being His disciple.

3. Registered members of a Catholic parish community.

4. At least one of the godparents (single or married) is a “practicing

    Catholic”: fully initiated (Sacraments of Baptism, confirmation and

    Eucharist); Sunday Mass participation; registered in a Catholic parish;

    If married, celebrated the Sacrament of Marriage.

Purpose Of The Baptism Process

1. To provide an opportunity for parents who have requested baptism for their child, and sponsors, to take time out to reflect on their own journey of faith and their responsibility to share faith with their children.

2. To afford parents and sponsors the opportunity to meet and interact with other families in the parish and thereby strengthen their sense of belonging to the community.

3. To affirm and assist the parents in their role as “primary educators” of their children.

4. To offer both prayer and the support of the parish community to the parents and godparents as they approach the same community seeking baptism for their children.

5. The threshold of the whole sacramental life is baptism.  In this sacrament people are washed from everything that stands between them and perfect union with God; symbolically they die with Christ in order to rise with him to new life, and so they are born into the community of the church.

Preparation Requirements

1. Regular and faithful participation in Sunday Eucharist

2. Participation in at least one Faith Formation or Spiritual Enrichment opportunities provided by the parish.

3. Participation of parents (required) and when possible godparents in

the whole sacramental process: First session with Parish member, second session with Lay Ecclesial Minister, Third session with Ordained Minister (liturgical), Fourth session in Home of Parents with Father. (contact parish office for more information – 812-923-5419

4. Handouts will be given to parents ford their continued reflection on the meaning of the sacrament and their responsibilities in the light of Christian faith.

Celebration

The parish post a annual schedule of when baptism are to be celebrated during a Saturday/Sunday anticipated mass.

Registered

The parents are asked to register their infant for baptism at the parish office during office hours or on Sunday after the Mass.  They are to bring either

Birth certificate of the infant and/or documentation from the hospital.

Confirm that the family is registered member of the parish.  If not registered, please help them complete the parish registration form.

Documentation Needed

·        Birth certificate for the infant

·        Registration for a Catholic Parish

If the family requesting to have a child baptized at ST. Mary-Navilleton is a member of another parish, then they are to request from the pastor and/or parish office a stating that they are registered members of that parish.

·        Catholic godparents are to request a letter from their pastor/parish office stating that are members of the parish and are qualified to take the ministry of godparent.

Preparing for Baptism

The Parents of a child who is to be baptized, and those who are to undertake the office of godparent, are to be suitably instructed on the meaning of the sacrament and the obligation attached to it.  The parish priest is to see to it that either he or others duly prepare the parents, by means of pastoral advice and indeed by prayer together.  A number of families may be brought together for this purpose.

The Role of the Community

Baptismal catechesis involves the community of the faithful, who share their faith with those being catechized.  Adult catechumens and the parents of children to be baptized alike need the community’s prayer, witness and support.  Preparation for the baptism of infants is a ‘teachable moment’ when the parish community can encourage parents to re-examine the meaning of faith in their lives.  In offering catechesis to parents and godparents, the Church shows its love for and eagerness to support them as well as their children

Preparation Process

The parents will have four sessions they will attend each time they baptized a child.  The first two sessions are with the baptism facilitators. 

I. First session they will:

1. Prayerfully break open the liturgical reading of the day 

2. Review the Infant Baptism Process & Procedure & lead them to reflect

    on the Five questions.

3. Fill out the Baptismal Registration form

4. Confirm the date of the Baptism assigned by Parish schedule

5. Take the Catholic Faith Inventory. 

II.  Second session they will:

1. Prayerfully break open the liturgical reading of the day

2. Receive participants Workbooks of the CFI

3. Get an overview of the three Conversions (Spiritual, Moral and Ecclesial)

4. Begin to be in conversation about the inventory

5. Give to facilitator the names of two families in the parish that we will

    mail a letter to asking them to pray for and support them (parents) in their

    catholic commitment.

6. Take home important handouts to continue reflection on meaning and

     Theology of Baptism

III. Third session:

1. They will meet with father for the liturgical blessing of the child with

     God Parents present when possible.

2. Father will establish with parents at that time a time for the fourth session

    with the parents.

IV. Fourth session:

1. Breaking open the liturgical reading of the day

2. Continuing the discussion of the CFI

Questions for reflection and deeper contemplation:

1. Why do You Want To Baptize Your Baby?

·        By becoming a member of the Catholic Community, your child will truly have a new life. As Jesus did, the Church will care for you and your child

·        Your child has been extended into a universal community that is a perpetual extension of the love and care of the father

·        Your child is no longer hostage to sin, alienation and death.  They are

welcomed into the faith life of the Catholic Christian Church

·         Remove original sin (traditional)

·        Treat of eternity in limbo separated from God (traditional)

·        Protect the child – something bad might happen to the child if not baptized (traditional)

·        Wouldn’t have to worry anymore about their going to heaven (traditional)

2. What Kind Of God Is My God?

     Listen to response - Conversation

3. Talk About Faith – What Is It

·        Faith is a belief in something bigger that we are – it is human kind responding to Gods Revelation.  For the Catholic Christian tradition that revelation is found in the Hebrew Scripture – Christian Scripture and Church Tradition (Catechism of the Catholic Church; United States Catholic Catechism for Adults)

·        Everything we believe centers around the person of Jesus Christ

·        Jesus Christ is the perfect human being (like us in all things except sin)

4. Talk About the Sacraments – How Do You Understand Sacraments?

·        Visible actions (signs and symbols) done by believers to:

1. Encounter God

2. Receive grace and unconditional love

3. Receive the power of the Holy Spirit (gifts & fruits)

4. Empower us with divine love (supernatural aid)

5. Talk About Church – What Is Church For You?

·        Church is PEOPLE; visible signs of Jesus in the world today.  Through the power of God’s Spirit, we become the visible sign that Gods message is still true and alive.  We are sacraments of the presence of God.  Through each Christian, Jesus is alive in the world right now. If we live the message as Jesus did, we are his people and his Sacrament.  We are a light to the world so that others might see and come to know the Way, the Truth and the Life,” Jesus Christ (Jn. 14:6)!