Baptism
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The Old Testament has many images of water that help us understand Baptism. Each year during the Easter Vigil, the water that will be used in baptism is blessed. The prayers of blessing call these images to mind. At the time of Creation, the Spirit breathed upon the waters (Genesis 1:2). During the great Exodus the waters of the Red Sea parted, allowing the people of Israel to cross from slavery to freedom (Exodus 14: 21 – 31). Later, in the New Testament, John the Baptist administered a baptism of repentance to Jesus in the waters of the River Jordan (Mark 1: 1 – 11).
Knowing that Baptism is necessary for salvation, parents have their babies baptized not long after they are born. Baptism signifies the baby’s entrance into the Church. The community of believers and the parents make a commitment to care for and teach this child as he or she is raised in the Catholic faith.
Infants can be baptized soon after birth. At the time of baptism, parents vow to practice their faith and provide a Catholic upbringing for the child. Adults who have never been baptized take part in the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults), and will typically be baptized at the Easter Vigil. Learn more about Baptism as part of RCIA ...
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Rejoice!
We rejoice with you at the birth of a new member of your family, and wish to extend a loving welcome to you and your child as members of God’s Family and the Reading Catholic Community of St. Agnes and St. Athanasius parishes! This is an especial joyous time when new life is born calling to mind the vastness of God's goodness by witness of new life and love.
We live in Hope! The baptism of your child reminds us that we, as a faith community, share this hope and joy with you, and we want to do everything possible to make it a lived truth all the days of your life, and the life of your child.
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1st and 3rd Sunday of each month - 1:00PM Service at St. Agnes
2nd Sunday of each month - 1:00PM Service at St. Athanasius
Maximum of 6 babies at the 1:00PM Baptism Service
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To get started please fill out the Schedule a Baptism form and we will reach out to you.
If you have more questions, call us at 781-944-0490 or come into the Collaborative office to discuss this Sacrament.
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1st Friday of each month, 7:00PM at St. Athanasius Parish Activity Center, 300 Haverhill Street, Reading, MA.
As part of planning and scheduling your child's baptism, the office will also schedule your Parent Baptism Meeting. Parents attend the Parent Baptism meeting before the child's baptism, whether this will be at St. Athanasius or at St. Agnes. If this is the first child to be baptized, parents are required to attend. Parents that have had a child baptized within the past few years are not required to attend. Call the Collaborative office for more information at 781-944-0490.
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Choosing Godparents
Sponsors (godparents) represent the Catholic community in Baptism and express the witness of the whole community to help the parents in their rearing of their children. They are selected by the parents of the child and should be living the Christian faith as examples of God’s love.
It is usual to have two Sponsors, but it is acceptable to have just ONE Catholic Sponsor.
Baptized and confirmed, the Catholic sponsor is assumed to be living our faith. A baptized non-Catholic may be a godparent in company with a Catholic sponsor. Godparents should have the intent to take an active part in the Christian formation of the child to know God’s love for us!
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