Baptism
Introduction
For newborns to 6-year olds contact Dean Henderson at the parish office before the birth of your child, thereby allowing sufficient time for a home visit and group preparation sessions.
The parish, in which your home is geograpically located, is where baptisms take place unless you are registered at the Cathedral. Children 7 years and older prepare through Religious Education Classes. Adults normally enter the RCIA process for a period of one to two years. Parents, desiring the Sacrament of Baptism for their children in Grades 2 – 6, are asked to contact the parish office and sign up for classes (for the children) which will begin in September. At this age, we normally celebrate the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist as well and so time is required for study.
Young people who are in Grade 7 – 12 who have never been baptized but who are interested in learning about the faith and possibly celebrating the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation & Eucharist) are asked to sign up for classes which will begin in September as well. Again, contact the parish office.
Greetings!
A Letter from Fr. John
Congratulations on the birth of your baby.
Bringing new life into the world is one of the greatest miracles of life. It brings with it so many joys and blessings. It also brings a lot of hard work and many responsibilities.
In a real way, the work is only just the beginning. Over the years you will have to care for this wonderful new life and help your baby to grow and become a loving happy person, able to find joy and to bring joy to the world.
The love you have for your baby is part of the love that God has. Just as you want your baby to find love, happiness and peace, so does God. In fact, this is precisely why God gave this new life into your care.
In the sacrament of Baptism, God shows this love. Through this sacrament, your child will become, in a special way, part of the family of the Church. The preparation, which the parish family is offering you, will allow you to think about the important step you are taking in having your baby baptized. May you know deeply how much God loves you and your baby.
- Fr. John
Parental Role in Religious Formation
By Father John Laszczyk
One of the most important questions asked of parents at the baptism of their child is whether they accept the responsibility of raising their child to know Christ Jesus and the community of the Church. The question, in fact, is posed several times in a variety of ways. The question is logical; after all, parents teach their children best by example and if we were to examine the amount of time spent by a child in school, church and home we would immediately see that the majority of time is spent in the home under the direct influence or non-influence of one’s parents.
Church law, which reflects our Christian practice, echoes this reality by stating that Christian parents are the first educators of their child in the ways of faith. If we think about this we will see that this statement has very serious consequences.
In the past parents tended to leave the religious instruction of their children to the Catholic school or to the priests and religious in religious education classes. It was the responsibility of the CHURCH to teach the children about the faith and to make certain that all necessary sacraments were celebrated at the correct time. Parents were certain that this would be well done by those in charge. And indeed it was; but, it was also a different era and society, as a whole, held different values.
Therefore, the teachings received by children in Catholic schools and classes were reinforced, for the most part, by society in general.
Today we live in a society which is totally different. One concrete example of this difference, from the Christian’s perspective, is the ban placed on the Lord’s Prayer and Bible Reading in schools. Recognizing that society does not support our Christian heritage and that children quickly learn from their parents, the Church simply states this reality in its law. So now, we have moved from a position in which the Church had total responsibility for the religious education of a child to where the parents have total responsibility.
Obviously, many parents will feel inadequate to the task. The Church community does not totally abandon you; rather, it offers you all the necessary support you need. In giving this support you may find that what are offered are not lessons for children but lessons for parents. Sometimes this is disturbing because we feel that the church is abandoning its responsibilities but, in actual fact, this is probably the wiser course in the long run. Parents can no longer sit back and let the school or church do it all. Parents can no longer drop their children off at religion classes, pick them up one hour later, and feel that sufficient work has been done in this area.
Because parents have this responsibility for their children’s education it follows logically that they may make responsible decisions concerning sacramental preparation and reception. For instance, if parents feel that their child is not prepared to receive the Eucharist in Grade 2 when most children receive for the first time then it is possible to delay reception of Communion until the child is older and better understands the significance of the event.
In the same way, if a child is younger but is mature for his/her age and is able to understand the significance of the Eucharist, then it is possible to approach the Table of the Lord earlier in life. Of course, in this second situation the parents will have taken the time to adequately prepare the child for the Sacrament and will have consulted with the Pastor who, having had a chance to meet with the child and parents, will confirm or deny the parents decision on behalf of the Christian community. Likewise with the Sacrament of Confession. In the Canadian Church it is often the case that children are prepared for the Sacrament one year after they have received the Eucharist for the first time. Sometimes this is disturbing to parents who feel that Confession should precede Communion. Confession, of course, is not required unless there is sin and one sometimes wonders about a child’s ability to understand sin at 7 years of age.
Nevertheless, once again parents would be the best judge of this and if it seems appropriate to have the child celebrate Confession prior to Communion then there is no reason why this should not be done. Simply prepare the child (example teaches well) and approach the Pastor who will, on behalf of the community, confirm or deny your decision.
At this point you may be saying well and good; if it is indeed the parents right to make these decisions for their children why should the Pastor be involved? In a nutshell he is involved because he is responsible for the spiritual well-being of the parish; he is, if you will, the Shepherd and Guide of the Christian community. And, his confirmation or denial of your request would be based upon the maturity of the child involved and the child’s ability to understand the sacredness of the sacrament; not upon the age of the child per se.
No one will deny that the task is enormous. Yet, the Lord never gives a greater burden than we can handle and if the Lord has called you to parenthood he has also given you the necessary ability for this task of religious education. The Christian community also stands ready to support and assist you in your responsibilities. Be not afraid.
Policy for Infant Baptism
- Catholic parents of St. Andrew's Cathedral parish preparing for the baptism of their infant are expected to participate in a process of sacramental preparation before the baptism of their child. Godparents may also be encouraged to participate. (Canon 851, par. 2)
- The formation of children of catechetical age, including adolescents, shall follow the general pattern of the catechumenate as far as possible. (Canon 852, par. 1)
- In the baptism of infants parents take responsibility for choosing a godparent or godparents who will serve as good examples for living the Catholic way of life. (Canon 874). A godparent can later serve as the sponsor of the child when he/she is confirmed
- Although the selection of two godparents is customary, only one godparent is required for baptism. A godparent can be either male or female. If two godparents are chosen, one must be male and one female (Canon 873)
- A godparent must also be a fully initiated Roman Catholic (Having celebrated Baptism, Confirmation & Eucharist) who is free to celebrate the sacraments (Canon 874, par. 1)
- A baptized, non - Catholic Christian may be chosen as a Christian witness provided there is at least one Catholic godparent (Canon 874, par. 2)
- The celebration of Baptism is to take place in the parish church. Baptisms in private homes are not permitted except in cases of emergency. (Canon 860)
- Anyone who baptizes in a case of emergency is obliged to notify the pastor so that the baptism is recorded in the appropriate register. (Canon 878)
- Infants who were baptized in an emergency situation may be brought to the Church at a later time to complete the baptismal ceremony, but omitting the pouring of water. (Rite of Baptism for Children #288)
- The celebration of infant baptism should ordinarily take place on Sundays. (Canon 856)