Baptism Pathway
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Congratulations on the beautiful addition to your family! Your Saint Joseph parish family is so excited for you! And we're looking forward to helping you get your child started on an amazing, lifelong journey of faith.
Our Baptism Pathway equips you with instruction on the Sacrament of Baptism, as well as ways to grow in Christian discipleship. We'll provide the tools necessary for becoming the parents God created you to be, so that your child can become the person he or she was created to be. We can't wait to get started!
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Contact Us
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Becky Davisfamilyministriesstjosephmech.orgFamily Ministries Coordinator
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The PathwayThe steps of the Baptism Pathway are detailed below. We suggest allowing 3 months to complete the pathway, and when possible encourage you to complete it prior to the birth of your child.
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Becky Davis, Saint Joseph Parish Family Ministries Coordinator, is the point of contact for your child's baptism. She is looking forward to providing the details of the Baptism Pathway, and answering any questions you may have.
To initiate contact with Becky, please either complete the Baptism Inquiry Form or email Becky at [email protected].
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We're excited to welcome you and your child into the Saint Joseph Parish family! If you are not already registered at Saint Joseph, or if you are still under your parents' registration, please register here.
Anyone registered at another parish who would like to have their child baptized at Saint Joseph should contact Becky at [email protected].
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Please make arrangements with Becky to pick up your Starting Point Dream Journal, which you will use in discussions with your Mentor Couple. Becky will also verfiy that you can access the Starting Point Baptism Preparation videos. Once you have watched these videos, Becky will send you the name and contact information for your Mentor Couple.
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You will be introduced to a trained Baptism Mentor Couple who is currently raising a family at Saint Joseph Parish. Using the Starting Point online baptism preparation program by Dynamic Catholic, together you will explore:
- the Sacrament of Baptism... what is it and why is it important?
- how living your baptism promises will help you and your family grow in relationship with God through living the Catholic faith;
- how the dreams you have for your family can be realized through the promises you make on behalf of your child at their baptism;
- the joys and challenges of raising children in our current culture and the value of a faith lived through a parish community.
Typically you will meet together 3 times via Zoom.
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Becky will support you through the selection of your child's Godparents and the completion of the following paperwork:
- Baptism Registration Form
- Sponsor Certificates for Catholic Godparents - If the Godparents are members of Saint Joseph Parish, use this form. Otherwise Sponsors should contact their home parish.
The selection of Godparents is a big responsibility, and in the Catholic faith it has profound importance. Godparents are responsible for assisting in the spiritual development of your child, so it is essential that they live the faith on a deep, personal level and on a regular basis. In order to honor this important role, Godparents are required to:- present a Sponsor Certificate from their home Catholic Parish;
- be practicing Catholics;
- be age sixteen or older;
- have been confirmed;
- if married, must have been married in accord with Church law (i.e. married by a Catholic priest or deacon, married by another minister with proper dispensation, or had marriage validated by the Catholic Church);
- participate in weekend Mass and receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion frequently; and
- keep the Holy Days of Obligation.
One Godparent is required, and two Godparents (one male and one female) may be chosen. Under special circumstances, permission may be given for one non-Catholic who is a baptized Christian to be a "witness" to the baptism. Witnesses cannot be former Catholics, and are not considered Godparents.
In the event that a Godparent cannot be present for the baptism because of distance, age or illness, a designated person may act as a proxy. The proxy for Godparent must also be a Catholic in good standing and submit a Sponsor Certificate from their parish.
If your child has already been born at this time, please provide Becky with a copy of their birth certificate. You can email her a copy, or drop it off at the parish office, 410 E. Simpson Street, Mechanicsburg PA 17055.
It is at this step on the pathway that we will discuss the date for your child's Baptism.
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Once a date for the baptism has been selected, you will be given the contact information to arrange a time to meet with the priest or deacon who will be celebrating this special day with your family. This pre-baptism meeting is an opportunity to ask any questions you may have about baptism, the baptism liturgy, the parish, etc. The priest or deacon will have an opportunity to get to know you and your family, and share how we as your parish family can help support your growth as disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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Here at Saint Joseph, the Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated either at a Sunday morning liturgy or privately on a Sunday afternoon. Your child's baptism date will be confirmed once the preparation process is completed.
White clothing is traditional, but not required.
Baptism is an occasion to celebrate! Please invite as many relatives and friends as you would like!
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Once your child has been baptized, their faith journey is just beginning! You will want to live and model the faith, supported by the many opportunities to worship, grow, serve, connect and give at Saint Joseph Parish.
You will nurture your child on their discipleship journey, supported by Saint Joseph School or Saint Joseph Religious Education Program.
If you are not yet Catholic, we would encourage you to explore our Becoming Catholic program. If you were married outside of the Catholic Church, we can help you bring your Marriage into the Church through the process of Convalidation.
Becky will help you find just the right next steps for you and your family!
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