Baptism Online Preparation
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Baptism preparation & What You Need to Know
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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.
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.
What Has Changed?- Each family is limited to 10 guests including godparents (not including parents and the child to be baptised).
- It is the responsibility of the parents to ensure that everyone invited understands that they CANNOT attend if they have symptoms of Covid-19, have a fever, have been out of the country in the last 14 days or have been in contact with someone who has Covid-19.
- Everyone in attendance over the age of 8 must wear a mask over the nose and mouth.
- A list with the names and phone numbers of those invited needs to be forwarded to the parish the Wednesday prior to Baptism.
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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ARRIVAL
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Please arrive at the front doors 10 mins prior to your child’s baptism, everyone will need to be screened.
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Everyone in attendance over the age of 8 must wear a mask over the nose and mouth.
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Please sanitize your hands using the automatic dispensers inside the door.
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Once the previous family has left via the east doors and the Church has been sanitized, your family will then be welcomed around the baptismal font.
- The Celebration of the Baptism will be a shortened version. All are asked to remain standing for the duration of the Baptism. Those with disabilities will be accommodated with a chair in which to sit.
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Once the Baptism has taken place, a family photo will be taken at the baptismal font. You will then be escorted to exit via the east doors so that we may sanitize for the next scheduled Baptism.
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PHOTOSGood Shepherd Parish Community welcomes your child with great joy!
Because of time limitations, we suggest having a family member take a few photos for you.
Please allow us to take a photo of your family and the Priest for our Baptismal Board.
We also post these photos to 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 stand still. That’s okay. Our parish loves hearing the sounds of babies and young people! All ages are welcome here.
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