St. Joseph Catholic Church
936 Lake Street, Kalamazoo Michigan 49001
(269) 343-6256
Infant Baptism Role of Parents in Nurturing the Faith Responsibilities and Qualifications for Godparents Confirmation for Baptized Catholic Adults Introduction Baptism makes us sharers in the life of God and members of the Church, the Body of Christ. We celebrate the baptism of infants in groups with other families several times during the year. The Church's sacraments are actions of the whole Church, which necessarily take place in a local community, that is, in a parish. In the celebration of the sacraments, the Church is built up, its faith strengthened, the hand of salvation is extended to faithful believers. The Church has been called by God to extend God's loving touch to real people in need. And so, the bond between God and a particular human being is made and celebrated in a specific family of faith, a local church. Some questions to think and pray about as you prepare for your child's baptism:
One responsibility of Church leaders in a parish is to help people see the relationships that are implied in the celebration of the sacraments, and to help them cement those ties. Because of this, we offer the present policy regarding infant baptism. Policy Regarding Infant Baptism 1. If you are a registered member of St. Joseph Parish, and one who is sincere and active in the practice of the faith, you are eligible to have your infant baptized here. 2. If you are not yet registered and you want your infant baptized into Christ, please make known your intention to be an active participant of St. Joseph's by registering as a parish member. Take a few months to accustom yourself to our parish and find your place here.. 3. Meetings for parents and godparents of infants to be baptized are the specific preparation for infant baptism in our parish. Everyone who participates in this program stands to gain something. Almost all participants in the process discover that they have something important to give. For godparents living outside our area, we accept what their parish offers in regard to preparation. 4. Parents from other parishes who wish to have their infants baptized at St. Joseph's are welcome to do so after they have completed the preparation requirements in their home parish and we receive a letter from their pastor giving permission for the baptism to be celebrated here.
Role of Parents in Nurturing the Faith Parents have the primary responsibility to hand on the faith to their children. Through word and example, parents are in a position to teach their children:
In asking to have their child baptized, parents take on the responsibility to raise their child in a Catholic Christian environment. This means among other things:
Responsibilities and Qualifications for Godparents It is important to give careful, prayerful consideration to the choice of godparents. One or two godparents are chosen. Godparents, together with the child’s parents, publicly profess the Church’s faith in which the child is baptized. A godparent accepts the responsibility of helping the child grow in the Catholic faith. This person agrees to help the parents teach their child about the faith and how to live as a practicing Catholic. For a person to act as a godparent, he or she must:
A godparent who is married must be married in accord with the laws of the Catholic Church. One godparent is required. Two may be chosen. If two are chosen, they must be of opposite genders. A baptized Christian may serve with one godparent as a Christian Witness. The godparent and Christian witness may be of the same or opposite gender. The following forms are available for viewing so you can obtain the required information. Click here for Baptismal Information Form. Click here for Godparent Information Form. For more information about infant baptism or the schedule for meetings and baptisms, contact Sister Mary Catherine at srmaryc@tds.net or 343-6256 x 108. Confirmation for Adult Baptized Catholics Information about the Sacrament of Confirmation Preparation of Baptized Catholic Adults for Confirmation
From the beginning of his public ministry, Jesus gathered disciples with whom he shared the Good News of God’s saving love. After his death and resurrection, Jesus commissioned the Apostles to go and share his teaching throughout the world, and to baptize people into the Church. After his ascension, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit upon his disciples at the feast of Pentecost to strengthen them for his work. Confirmation is one of the three sacraments (with Baptism and Holy Communion) that form the rites of initiation into the Church which, still today, strives to carry out Jesus’ mission. The symbols of Confirmation: The laying on of hands as described in the New Testament is seen by tradition as the beginning of the sacrament of Confirmation which perpetuates the grace of Pentecost in the Church. By the second century, Confirmation was also conferred by anointing with holy oil, called sacred Chrism. This anointing with sacred Chrism in Confirmation is the sign of consecration. Those who are anointed share more completely in the mission of Jesus Christ. The consecration of sacred Chrism by the bishop expresses the unity of the confirmed Christians with the Church of the apostles. The Effects of Confirmation: Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace:
The person being confirmed is sealed with the Holy Spirit. This seal is called the sacramental character, marking the person forever as called to fulfill the Church’s mission in all circumstances of life even to the point of courageous witness. Preparation for Confirmation If you want your relationship with Jesus and the Church strengthened though the Sacrament of Confirmation, contact Sister Mary Catherine at 343-6256 x108 or srmaryc@tds.net for information about the process of adult preparation for the reception of this sacrament. The plan for preparation of adults is based on life experience and previous learning and is developed according to the needs of the individual seeking preparation.
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