Baptism Online Preparation
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Baptism preparation resources
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As we continue to receive reports about the spread of the Coronavirus and after consultation with health care professionals and government officials, and the directive from Bishop Fabbro, we have decided to offer Baptismal preparation online during this time. In order that you may be fully prepared for the Sacrament of Baptism for your children, we are asking you to explore and complete the steps below.
We are excited to assist you in preparing you for your child’s Baptism! If you haven't already, please fill out our online Baptismal Registration Form. Once received, you will receive a call from our Pastoral Minister.
If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact Betty Hompoth, Pastoral Minister at 519-735-9517 x224 or bhompoth@dol.ca
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STEP 1: Starting point videos
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Watch 3 videos
These are not your great grandma’s baptismal preparation videos. Short, entertaining, relevant, inspiring, surprising, engaging, thought-provoking, educational—is that enough adjectives for you? These three videos will get you thinking differently about parenting, Baptism, and your family’s future!
Please click here to watch the 3 videos: Delivery Room, Soul Bath, and Letters.
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Step 2: Talk together about your plans
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Talk with your partner
After you've watched this video, take some time with your partner to discuss these questions. This is not a make-work project. This is a chance to sit down with your partner and really talk about what you want for you child!
- Why do you want to have your child Baptized?
- How did you choose your child’s name?
- God has a dream for each one of us. He wants a real relationship with you and your child. What is your dream for your family?
- What is your dream for your child?
- What did you like most about the video Soul Bath?
- Want to go one further? Try this optional idea. Write a letter to your child of what your dreams are for them and what your dreams are for “the family”.
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Step 3: Godparents
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Who can be a Godparent?
Since Godparents take on two roles - that of support for the parents in the Catholic upbringing of their child, and that of representing the Christian community into which the child is being initiated - they must be practicing Catholics (received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist) and are over the age of 16.
What if the person I want as a Godparent isn’t Catholic?
A person who is baptized, in a Christian faith may serve as a Christian witness along with the Catholic Godparent. This person needs to be Baptized in a Christian faith and be over the age of 16. During the baptism, a Christian witness performs all the parts of the ceremony that a godparent does. His or her name will be entered into the Sacrament Record Book as a “Christian witness”, together with the name of the Godparent.
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too many godparents?
For some families, picking only 2 people to be Godparents or Christian witnesses might put you in an akward position of making someone not selected upset. If you have other people involved in your child's live, consider asking them to help in other ways... like taking photos before or after Mass, organizing a celeberation, or helping you as a back-up babysitter. Everyone is welcome as part of this special celeberation!
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STEP 4: WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON THE DAY?
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ARRIVALPlease arrive at the church at least 30 minutes prior to Mass. Please check in at the welcome desk. From there you will be seated in your designated pew.
We will have two pews reserved per family. The immediate family (child, parents, siblings) and Godparents should sit in one of the pews and the other family members in the 2 nd reserved pew.
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PHOTOSPhotos are allowed during the pouring of water and at the end of the Rite of Baptism when the Priest presents the newest member of our faith Community, Good Shepherd Parish.
We suggest having a family member take photos for you. It's OK for this person to get up out of their pew, as long as they aren't being distracting or setting up a photo booth! :-)
Please stay after Mass: We ask that you stay and allow us to take a photo of you, your child, the Godparents and the Priest for our Baptismal Board. W e also post these photos to on our Facebook & Instagram. Don't worry, we don’t post your child's last name.
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Don't Stress!Don’t worry about making a mistake. You can’t. We will lead you through the whole process on the day of. We want your child’s Baptism to be a wonderful experience for you and your family.
Babies cry you know. We know too. Babies cry. Young children don’t always sit still for a long time. That’s okay. Our parish loves hearing the sounds of babies and young people! All ages are welcome here.
Don't feel stuck. If you feel your children just need to get out of the pew, that's OK. We have a lobby (Narthex) where you can still see and hear the Mass. So if your child gets a bit fussy during Mass, go for a walk. Just don't go too far!
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