Baptism Program Overview
Dear
Parents,
Congratulations on the birth of your baby! The community of St. John the
Evangelist Parish rejoices with you and your family. We are delighted that
you have chosen our parish for your child’s Baptism. This is the first step
on your child’s journey of faith. Therefore, we are committed to making the
celebration of the sacrament of Baptism very special and meaningful for you
and your family. We are also committed to helping you in every possible way
as you raise your child in our faith.
Points of Contact:
For
all questions relating to Baptism at St. John’s, please contact Patty
Pelszynski at 410 964-1425 x 312.
Baptism Procedures:
-
If this is your first child you are having baptized, you must attend a
Baptism Preparation Class.
» At least one parent
must attend this meeting. Both parents and godparents are encouraged to
attend.
» The class
meets Sunday afternoon, 12:00pm to 1:00pm. Please call Patty to register for the class.
The 2012 dates for Baptism prep classes are:
January 22
July 15
February 19
August 19
March 18
September 16
April 22
October 21
May 20
November 18
June 24
December 16
The Baptism Preparation Classes are held at the Wilde Lake Interfaith
Center at 12:00pm
-
Baptisms at St John's take place on
Sunday afternoons. This will give you an opportunity to celebrate your
child's Baptism with other families. Please call Patty to arrange for
your child's Baptism.
The 2012 dates for Baptisms are:
January 1
July 1
January 15
July 15
February 5
August 5
February 19
August 19
March 4
September 2
March 18
September 16
April 1
October 7
April 15
October 21
May 6
November 4
May 20
November 18
June 3
December 2
June 17
December 16
The Baptisms will take place at the Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, room 1,
at 1:30pm.
-
If you are parish member but plan to have your child baptized at another
church you must meet the requirements for Baptism at St. John’s. Once
these requirements are met, we will send a letter to the parish where
the child will be baptized, affirming that you met our requirements and
giving permission to have your child baptized outside of your home
parish.
Questions You May Have...
What is Baptism?
“Baptism is
the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit.” (Catechism
of the Catholic Church) It is the first of three Sacraments of
Initiation, the other two being Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist. Through
Baptism, as with the other six Sacraments, we encounter the Living Christ in
his passage from death to new life. By this encounter, we are freed from the
power of sin and death, become members of Christ’s Body, the Church, and so
rise to new life and to a new way of living.
When should we have our baby baptized?
We encourage
parents to present their children for Baptism as soon as is reasonably
possible after their birth. Therefore, it is a good idea to contact the
parish prior to the baby’s birth so that Baptism can be scheduled in a
timely fashion. However, we also realize that situations in life don’t
always allow for Baptism to happen shortly after the birth of a child, and
we will welcome children or adults of any age who want to be baptized.
Baptisms are primarily celebrated on scheduled Sunday afternoons or, if
necessary, as scheduling permits.
Who can be godparents?
Godparents
should be faithful people who are baptized and confirmed in the Catholic
Church. Church law requires that at least one godparent is a full member of
the Catholic Church. It is possible for the second godparent to be a member
of another Christian Church. If you have questions regarding godparents,
please speak to one of the priests or deacon at St John’s. When choosing
godparents, it is important to consider the responsibility of a godparent,
namely, people who will support the parents in bringing this child up in the
Catholic Faith and who will be a good role model for this child.
The Day of the Baptism
Please plan to
arrive at least 15 minutes before the time the service is supposed to begin.
Let the priest know you have arrived. St John's will provide a white garment
(bib) and the Baptism candle.
Is a white dress or suit required?
No.
A white
garment symbolizes that your child has become a new creation in Christ in
the waters of Baptism. Most families have a garment (dress or suit) that
they have chosen for their child.
Can we use cameras and videos at Baptism?
Cameras and
videos are allowed. However, the people taking photographs during the
Baptism are asked to be courteous and not obscure the view of others. Please
refrain from taking additional family photos until after the service has ended.
The priest will be available after the ceremony for additional pictures.
What
is the usual donation for a Baptism?
Payment is not required to
receive a Sacrament. If you choose, you may make a donation to the parish.
The usual donation is $50-75. A check may be made payable to 'St John's"
with "Baptism" written on the memo line. The check can mailed to St
John's at 10431 Twin Rivers Road, Columbia, MD 21044.
