Baptism--RCIA

BAPTISM

      Baptism of infants is normally celebrated during one of the weekend Masses. Parents should contact  Fr. Gene Schroeder   (812-963-3273)  to schedule their child’s baptism.

      When parents have their children baptized they indicate their desire to have their children grow up and live as children of God and brothers or sisters of Jesus, and be guided by the Holy Spirit.  Through birth a child is given to parents; through baptism a child is given to God.  At baptism the parents acknowledge that their parenthood is a participation in God's parenthood, that all fatherhood and motherhood comes from God.  Thus baptism frees the parents from a sense of owning their children.  Children belong to God and are given to the parents to love and care for in God's name.  It is the parents' vocation to welcome their children as honored guests in their home and bring them to the physical, emotional, and spiritual freedom that enables them to leave the home and become parents themselves.  Baptism reminds parents of this vocation and sets children on the path of freedom.

       Baptism as a way to the freedom of the children of God and as a way to a life in community calls for a personal commitment.  There is nothing magical or automatic about this sacrament.  Having water poured over us while someone says, "I baptize you in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit," has  lasting significance when we are willing to claim and reclaim in all possible ways the spiritual truth of who we are as baptized people.  In this sense baptism is a call to parents of baptized children and to the baptized themselves to choose constantly for the light in the midst of a dark world and for life in the midst of a death-harboring societyFr. Henri Nouwen

 

RCIA  (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)

      RCIA is the normal process through which adults are formed in the Catholic Faith.  RCIA  is carried out during the fall and winter, with reception into the Church at the Easter Vigil—the solemn celebration of Easter held on Holy Saturday night before Easter Sunday. Candidates meet each Sunday morning after the 8:00 am Mass with members of our RCIA Team. This is an opportunity for sharing information about our Catholic Faith as well as sharing the faith journeys of the candidates and team members. Persons interested in joining our Faith Community should contact Fr. Gene Schroeder (812-963-3273)