Contact: Nancy Mierswa, 201-327-1313, ext. 839 email: nmierswa@churchofpresentation.org
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
The sacramental life here at the Church of the Presentation is an important aspect of living out our callings and our Christian faith, within and outside our church walls. Our life, our zeal to be missionaries for Jesus Christ, and our love of one another revolves around our gatherings for prayer and retreat, the sacraments, and most especially the celebration of the Eucharist.
There are seven sacraments in the Church, namely: Baptism, Confirmation or Chrismation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Holy Matrimony.
Our parish community draws strength and inspiration from the Church’s sacraments, especially from our celebration of the Mass. It is through the sacraments that we – as a community – find meaning to the signs of God’s grace that is present in our ordinary, day to day lives. Celebrated always with great hope, joy and love, the sacraments show us visible signs of the invisible reality of God’s care and love for us.
Jesus’ Great Commission
“Go, therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, And of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. …and behold, I am with you always To the end of the age” (Mt 28:19-21).
The sacrament of Baptism “is birth into the new life in Christ” (CCC 1277). Here at Presentation, it is the formal way in which we receive families and infants into our family.
We celebrate Baptism once a month, either on a Saturday or Sunday at 1:00pm. The Baptism celebration lasts approximately 45 minutes to an hour, depending on how many families are participating.
Baptism Preparation Session
Baptism class for the parents is a wonderful time for them to learn about the sacrament, and how as parents, they can better guide their child on a loving faith journey. It is an important time for the parents, the Godparents, and parish.
If you are new parents and/or have not had Baptism preparation before at this parish, both parents must attend Baptism preparation, held monthly in one of the meeting rooms at the Church. While not required, the godparents are welcome to attend.
Guest Participation
There are a total of three readings for which volunteer lectors are asked to read. Most families welcome the opportunity to have one of their guests take an active role in the celebration.
Godparents
The role of godparent goes back to the days when most adult converts to the Christian faith did not usually have Christian parents. Godparents spoke up for the baptized person and, if necessary, helped him or her to grow in the faith. Today, we understand that the parents are the primary religious educators in the faith, with the godparents setting an example and providing support.
The Church requires that at least one godparent, or sponsor, be a practicing Catholic who has received the Sacrament of Confirmation, whose primary role remains that of supporting the parents in bringing up the child in the Catholic faith. But most parents choose two. When this happens, provided one godparent is Catholic, it is certainly allowable for a non-Catholic baptized Christian to act as a witness to the Baptism. We do not require any documentation from the godparents as to their faith or standing. We trust our parents’ ability to make good decisions for their children.
Non-Christians, unfortunately, cannot serve as sponsors for Baptism, since they themselves are not baptized. However, you can certainly invite a non-Christian to have a special place in your child’s life and share with your child his or her own faith tradition.
Donation
Any offering received goes to offset our administrative costs (Suggested minimum $100).
Baptismal Grace
“The fruit of Baptism, or baptismal grace, is a rich reality that includes forgiveness of original sin and all personal sins, birth into new life by which an infant or an adult becomes an adoptive son or daughter of the Father, a member of Christ and a temple of the Holy Spirit….”
Through the sacrament of Baptism, the baptized person is officially received into our faith community and “is incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ, and made a sharer in the priesthood of Christ” (CCC 1279).