The Sacrament of Baptism was instituted by Jesus who was baptized by St. John the Baptist in the Jordan River. (Mk 1:9-11)
‘Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, 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 and the word.”‘ (Catechism of the Catholic Church – CCC 1213)
The Catechism also teaches that baptism is “necessary for salvation” because “God has bound salvation to the sacrament,” and that the Church “does not know of any means other than baptism that assures entry into eternal beatitude.” (1257)
Basic Guidelines and Information for Infant (to include young children) Baptism (Code of Canon Law, cc. 867-868; Catechism of the Catholic Church 1251): Parents are responsible for bringing their child to the Sacrament of Baptism as soon after birth as possible. Except in case of necessity, the Church is the usual place of baptism. In order that a child be baptized, it is necessary that the parents consent, or at least one of them, or someone legally standing in their place, and that there is reasonable hope that the child will be brought up in the Catholic Faith.
When parents bring their newborn children to the Church to be baptized, they and the child’s sponsor(s), or godparent(s) are suitably instructed on the meaning of Baptism and the obligations that go with it. Parents should be members of Good Shepherd Parish and have been practicing the Faith in consistent, year round attendance at Mass as well as participating in other parish activities.
Other Information (Catechism of the Catholic Church 857): Are you living in a parish other than the one in which you wish to have your child baptized? You are required to take your Baptismal Preparation in the parish in which you reside and then receive a testimonial letter from your Parish Priest to have your child baptized in another parish. This requirement respects the reality that pastors normally have sacramental jurisdiction only over their own parishioners. Therefore, when one seeks a sacrament outside of one’s parish, the proper pastor’s permission is necessary. Furthermore, the invitation to connect with one’s own proper parish first is founded on the hope that the faith-life of the family and of the one(s) to be baptized will be lived in community and not in isolation.
Marital Status: Your marital status will be clarified during the baptismal preparation process. Baptism is not denied if the parents are unmarried or not married in the Roman Catholic Church. However, there may be reason to postpone Baptism if parents are not practicing the Faith, or have no intention of living a Catholic life in harmony with the Gospel. If your status is not in harmony with the Roman Catholic understanding of sacramental marriage, please inquire as to how we may help you enter into proper sacramental marriage or, if need be, seek a declaration of nullity by the Church.
If you have any questions about this Sacrament or wish to be baptized or have your child baptized, please contact the Parish Office at 508-693-0342.
Our parish, and as required by the Diocese of Fall River, uses the 5-part “Reborn: You, Your Child and the Heart of Baptism” preparation video series found on www.formed.org. (Some may refer to it as a pre-Jordan class.) https://watch.formed.org/reborn/season:1/videos/reborn-trailer.
It explores the deeply personal power of Baptism, bringing to light the spiritual reality for parents and godparents and, most importantly, the child being baptized. Rendered with a cinematic beauty that’s become the hallmark of the Augustine Institute’s film productions, Reborn presents the foundation of the Catholic Church’s teaching on Baptism, with a step-by-step explanation of the rite itself, including its profound place in Scripture and Tradition. The 5 videos are:
A New Creation: The Mystery of Baptism, 39 minutes. To understand the wonder of Baptism, we must go all the way back to creation itself and the unique, life-giving place of water and new life shown there. From there, we watch the story of Baptism in salvation history unfold, first in the nation of Israel and culminating in the work of Jesus and his Apostles. The stage is set for this very moment in time: the moment when each individual is baptized and brought into newness of life, fellowship with God, and the community of faith. This is the beginning of a new life and a new creation.
Entering the Mystery: The Rite Explained, 24 minutes. Each prayer and action in the Rite of Baptism is filled with spiritual significance, beauty, and grace. Here we see that Baptism isn’t something happens on the outside alone, but changes us on the inside. Entering the Mystery walks step-by-step through the Rite of Baptism to reveal how God’s love and grace is at work in the baptized and in the lives of parents and godparents. By understanding more clearly what’s happening, we’ll have a greater appreciation for why Baptism takes us further into a life-changing relationship with God.
Nurturing the Life of Grace: A Call to Mission, 25 minutes. Baptism is only the beginning. Parents and godparents are called to partner with the entire community of the faithful to help guide this new life of grace. Nurturing the Life Of Grace presents the needed information and inspiration to help care for the newly baptized through the lifelong journey of faith. Using sound Catholic principles and teaching, the roles of parents and godparents are illuminated to become the essential influences and examples the young in Christ need for a faith-filled life.
The Mission to Love: 7 Keys to Catholic Parenting, 55 minutes. A touchpoint in reality, The Mission To Love: 7 Keys To Catholic Parenting explores all aspects of living out the Catholic Faith at home in a proactive and practical way. Here, Dr. Edward Sri gets beyond mere philosophy and abstract principles to tackle questions like:
–How can I train my children in character and give them the virtues they need to live life well?
–As flawed as I am, is it possible to teach my children by example?
–What makes a home truly faith-filled? What practical things can I do to reinforce the Catholic Faith in my children?
–Are there ways to overcome feeling discouraged and exhausted, especially when my children are young?
–How can we keep our marriage alive while dealing with the demands of parenting?
The Gift of Godparents: More Than Cards & Presents, 38 minutes. Being a godparent is more than a cultural or symbolic role played out on the day of Baptism. Lucas Pollice dismantles the myths and answers these practical questions:
–What roles do godparents play on the day of Baptism?
–How are godparents called to impact the spiritual growth and well-being of the one being baptized?
–What kinds of things can godparents do for the baptized, beyond the occasional card or gift?
–Why doesn’t the Church allow just anyone to be a godparent?
–How can parents discern the best godparent for their child?
–How do both the parents and godparents fit within the community of faith?
By the end, godparents will understand the necessity and responsibilities of their role for teaching, living, and protecting the faith of the baptized.
Parish Guidelines for Baptism
- A Roman Catholic parent (or the guardian who has the legal custody of the child) who is an active member of Good Shepherd Parish may seek Baptism for their child in our parish community.
- To be a member of Good Shepherd Parish you must be a registered and practicing member of the parish for a period of at least six months prior to the date of the Baptism.
- The Church emphasizes the role of parents as the first and best teachers of their child in the ways of faith and Christian values. During the Baptism, the parents of the child promise to do their best to raise their child in the practice of the faith. Obviously, the parents should manifest their faith by participating in the weekly Sunday Eucharist with the faith community into which their child is to be incorporated. We look for an honest and wholehearted commitment on the part of the parents.
- It is never our intention to deny Baptism to anyone. However, there may be circumstances that would lead us to suggest the postponement of the Baptism until the parents are ready to carry out the promises they must make at the Baptism ceremony.
- Baptism initiates the baptized person into the Catholic community. After the parent(s) complete the process of preparing for the Baptism, a date and time will be fixed for the celebration.
- The child must have at least one Catholic godparent, although two are usual – one from each sex. The godparent must be a “regularly practicing Catholic” and must have received all three Sacraments of initiation namely, Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. They are required to profess their faith and to expressly assume the responsibility of a godparent for the child. Members of other Christian churches, though good Christians, may serve only as a Christian Witness at the Baptism.