THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

      The Sacrament of Baptism is the foundation for the reception of all the other Sacraments. It is the Sacrament by which the person receives the indwelling of the Holy Trinity. The Sacrament of Baptism gives to the person the life of God. The person is made a member of the Church.

      Preparation for the parents of the child to be baptized is important because the parents are the "first teachers of the child in the ways of Faith" (from the Rite of Baptism).

      Beginning in the month of January 2001, all parents who want their children baptized must attend a Baptismal instruction that will be given by Deacon Larry St. Onge. It will be held once a month.

      There will also be fixed dates and times for the Sacrament of Baptism to be celebrated.

      The Parish is happy to welcome Deacon Larry to participate in the celebration of Baptism of the children of the Parish. Celebrating Baptisms is a part of the diaconal ministry. A certain schedule will be set for both Deacon Larry and Fr. Ed to celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism.

      The family who has a child to be baptized is asked to call the rectory. Information will be given to the family about the steps that need to be taken for the child to be baptized.

      Regulations are always intended to be helps to bring people closer to a deeper living of the Catholic Christian Faith. Unfortunately some people interpret them to be another burden to fulfill. Some prefer to just come to the church on the day of Baptism and have their child baptized. So much of the meaning and reason of Baptism becomes lost as a result of "just getting it done".

      There is such a lack of understanding about the meaning of Baptism even to its valid celebration. The Church has always taught that for a real Baptism to take place (valid Baptism) water must be poured over the person and the words at the same time must be said: "I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." In this time of Ecumenism the Church wishes to respect and honor the celebration of Baptism of other Churches. The Baptisms of the Methodist, Congregational, Episcopal, Lutheran, Baptist, Greek and Russian Orthodox Churches are valid. Chapels in the New Bedford area (e.g. Seamen's Bethel) that have different ministers of different denominations taking their turn to baptize children become a difficulty for the Roman Catholic Parish Priests of the area. Many of the pastors of the local parishes had a meeting a few years ago to determine what to do when a family wants their child to receive First Communion, and that child has been baptized in one of these chapels.

      There is a doubt whether the child was validly baptized because the denomination of the minister is not known or it is not known how the baptism was celebrated. In these cases it was decided that the child be baptized again (conditional Baptism) to make sure that it is valid.

      The Baptism is recorded in the parish church. It becomes the permanent record for the recording of the other sacraments received in the future.

      The Church shows great reverence for this special gift from God in its regulations and practices because Baptism makes Christmas a reality in our lives.

BAPTISMAL INSTRUCTION

With the approval of the Parish Pastoral Council Deacon Larry St. Onge has been preparing a new program of instruction.

Parents who are interested in baptizing their children at St, James need to have their godparents obtain a sponsor certificate from their parish priest. It should be noted that what is required is not a Confirmation certificate but a sponsor certificate.

When the parents have received this certificate from the godparents , they are asked to call the rectory for an appointment. At this first meeting information will be taken about the child who is to be baptized. Material will be given to the parents to read in preparation for the instruction that will be scheduled with the parents . The parents must go to the instruction. The godparents do not have to come to this instruction. The entire instruction will be directed to the parents.

After the instruction has been completed , the parents have a choice of baptizing the baby at Mass or after Mass. Certain Sundays will be designated for these baptisms after Mass. If the parents want to baptize their children during Mass, they may select any Sunday Mass that they would like.

Parents who are expecting a child are encouraged to call the rectory to begin the preparation for the baptism.

For any baptisms to be celebrated in February and onward, parents will need to make the instruction that will be given in January. The instruction will be given once a month.

It is hoped that this preparation program will be a welcome for some families to return to a closer relationship to the Church. For those who are already connected , it is hoped that the instruction will help the parents to appreciate their own baptism and put that baptism into practice by teaching the child about the Faith.