"The greatest gift parents can give their children is their love for each other. Through that love they create an anxiety-free place for their children to grow, encouraging them to develop confidence in themselves and find the freedom to choose their own ways in life." ~ Henri Nouwen
BAPTISM PREPARATION CLASS INFORMATION:
We are currently offering preparation classes for PARENTS and GODPARENTS on an "as needed" basis. To schedule a class, please contact our Baptism Coordinator, Deacon Dan Dailey at daileyd@clergy.ptdiocese.org. CLICK HERE to complete a Baptism Registration form prior to the class. You will need to print the document and bring it with you to the class or you can save and email it to Susan in the parish office, deshotels@olv.ptdiocese.org.
The role of godparents is to help their godchild lead a Christian life. Traditionally, the godparents are the ones to ensure their godchild is given a Christian upbringing if the parents are no longer able to fulfill that responsibility. They also assist the parents in the ordinary circumstances of daily life by their special concern for their godchild, by their example, and by whatever assistance they can provide in raising the child.
Godparents
A godparent should be a firm and enthusiastic believer who is ready, willing and able to help their godchild live a Christian life. A godparent must meet the following criteria:
"By the sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed." (Lumen Gentium, 11)
All-powerful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
by water and the Holy Spirit
you freed your sons and daughters from sin
and gave them new life.
Send your Holy Spirit upon them
to be their helper and guide.
Give them the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of right judgment and courage,
the spirit of knowledge and reverence.
Fill them with the spirit of wonder and awe in your presence.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer of the Bishop over the Confirmandi
Confirmation Parent's HandbookThe apostle John says: "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." (1 John 1:8). Sin is before all else an offense against God, a rupture of communion with him. At the same time it damages communion with the Church. For this reason conversion entails both God's forgiveness and reconciliation with the Church, which are expressed and accomplished liturgically by the sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. (Lumen Gentium, 11) Since the new life of grace received in Baptism does not abolish the weakness of human nature nor the inclination to sin (that is, concupiscence), Christ instituted this sacrament for the conversion of the baptized who have been separated from him by sin.
Congratulations on the occasion of your engagement to marriage!
We are here to assist you in pursuing the Sacrament of Matrimony.
Getting Married in the Catholic Church: FAQs
Here are the steps to get the couple to the altar on their wedding day:
A. Baptismal Certificates
The RCIA process is for those seeking to join the Catholic Church. If you are unbaptized or if you were baptized in another denomination, the RCIA process will take you on a journey of exploration of the Catholic faith.
For more information, Click Here