By God's gift, through water and the Holy Spirit, we are reborn to everlasting life. In his goodness, may he continue to pour out his blessings upon these sons and daughters of his. May he make them always, wherever they may be, faithful members of his holy people. May he send his peace upon all who are gathered here, in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen
Learn About Your Baptism Day
At the October Faith Formation gatherings, a handout was given to all the children in grades K-6. The handout had questions for the children to ask their families about their Baptism. In case you missed it, here are the questions:
What's your birthdate (with year?)
What's your baptism date (with year?)
Who are your godparents/sponsors?
Who's the priest or deacon who baptized you?
Which church were you baptized in?
What city, state and country were you baptized in?
Take some time as a family to share -- or find -- the answers to these questions. Adults in the household should get in on the discovery too -- look for your baptismal certificate, talk to grandparents and other family members, and find the answers. Understanding that we are baptized and what that means is very important. Knowing the stories of the celebration help to make it even more meaningful, especially for those of us baptized as infants, who don't remember for ourselves.
Celebrate Baptism Days!
Most of us celebrate birthdays, especially for our children. Families with adopted children often celebrate "adoption day" or "gotcha day," as well. Have you ever celebrated the anniversary of your Baptism, or that of your child? A Baptism anniversary celebration can be a beautiful and fun way to help your child understand the significance of Baptism and their role in the Church, our family of faith.
Some ideas for celebrating Baptism anniversaries include putting the date on the calendar, having a special meal and/or dessert (perhaps of the child's choosing), and lighting their baptismal candle. A Baptism anniversary is a great day to watch videos or look at photos of the special day. Most importantly, share the stories -- who was there, how you celebrated, what your hopes for your child were and are, etc. Baptism is important enough to you that you celebrated it with your child, so tell them about why it's important to you and the difference that it makes in how you live your lives!
