Baptsim Mentoring Program
O Heavenly Father,
Make me a better parent.
Teach me to understand my children,
to listen to what they have to say,
and to answer all their questions kindly.
Keep me from
interrupting them or contradicting them.
Make me as courteous to them
as I would have them be to me.
Forbid that I should ever
laugh at their mistakes
or resort to shame and ridicule
when they displease me.
May I never punish them
for my own selfish satisfaction
or to show my power.
Let me not tempt my children to lie or
steal. And guide me hour by hour
that I may demonstrate by all that I say and do
that honesty produces happiness.
When I am out of sorts, help me, O Lord to hold my tongue.
May I be ever mindful that my children are children and I should not expect of them the judgments of adults.
Let me not rob them of the opportunity to wait on themselves and to make decisions.
Bless me with the bigness to grant them all their reasonable requests and the courage to deny them the privileges I know will do them harm.
Make me fair and just and kind and fit O’ Lord, to be loved and respected by my children. Amen.
A Parents Prayer
Guidelines for Baptism
Baptism takes place one Sunday a Month after the 12:00pm Liturgy at 1:00pm. If you are an active Catholic, you also have the option of having your child baptized during one of the weekend liturgies: Saturday at 5:00pm and Sunday at 8:00am, 10:00am (St. George) and 12:00pm.
After you have completed the mentoring process, you will need to contact the parish office (523-3104) to choose a date for baptism. You will also be responsible for turning in the appropriate certificates for your chosen sponsors or Christian Witness. We cannot schedule the baptism with out this necessary paperwork.
You should be present for the baptism of your child. Other family members and friends are encouraged to attend. The mother or father will hold the baby during the ceremony. Someone, other than yourself or the sponsors, may take photographs and videos during the ceremony.
It is always a good idea to see that the baby has been fed before the baptism.
Each child is given a white robe symbolizing being clothed in Christ, a baptismal candle symbolizing the light of Christ as the child’s light throughout life and a baptismal certificate.
If you have been negligent in the practice of your faith, this is the opportunity to begin anew. The baptismal ceremony reminds you of your duty to give good example to your children by practicing your own Faith.
It is customary, but not necessary, that a donation be given to the Church.
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Sponsor Qualifications
The Roman Catholic Church requires that all Catholics who assume the responsibilities of sponsorship for the sacrament of Baptism practice their Catholic Religion faithfully. Sponsors are chosen because they are seen as persons who can be life role models of the Catholic Faith for the child they are sponsoring into the Catholic Church.
Requirements in General
- You may not be the sponsor if you are the parent of the child being baptized.
- You need only one sponsor who can be either a male or a female practicing catholic.
- You may have two sponsors: one must be male and one must be female.
- If you have two sponsors one must be a practicing Catholic. The other may be a practicing catholic or a Christian witness, was not formerly a Catholic.
Requirements for Catholics Sponsors
- Catholics must have a certificate or letter of recommendation from their proper pastor.
- They must have attained the required minimum age of sixteen years.
- They must have received the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation & Eucharist in the Catholic Church.
- They believe and practice the official teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, such as cohabitation, abortion, etc.
- They weekly participate in the Saturday evening or Sunday Liturgies and Holy Days of Obligation, unless incapacitated by sickness or other serious reason.
- They receive the Sacrament of Penance as needed and receive the Holy Eucharist as often as possible.
- If married - the present marriage was witnessed by a Roman Catholic priest or deacon, or, with the written permission of the diocesan bishop, the marriage was witnessed by a clergy person from another Christian Community.
Requirements for Christian Witnesses:
- A Christian witness is a non catholic who was never baptized as a Catholic.
- A Christian witness must have a letter of recommendation from his/her pastor stating that she/he is an active member of the Church and would be a good role model for the child being baptized.
- He/she must have attained the required minimum age of sixteen years.
Reviewed - 31 October 2008
Sacrament of Baptism: The parish utilizes a Baptism Mentor process to help new parents understand the importance of this sacrament. Please contact the Parish Office to begin the mentoring process and to give the information necessary for the baptism. It is preferable that you call at least two months before the birth. If you have already given birth, call the Parish Office immediately to begin the mentoring process.
