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Baptism

Baptism form (EN)

Baptism Form (BM)

THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

Baptism is the first of the seven sacraments, and it is one that all the Christian denominations share in common, even though each denomination baptises at different ages and some in different ways. As baptism leaves an indelible mark on the soul, a person can only be baptised once in their lives. In the eyes of the Catholic Church, any baptism that uses water and the formula baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit is valid.

BECOMING A MEMBER OF THE CATHOLIC FAMILY

Through baptism you become a member of God's family. A baptised person becomes a brother or sister of Jesus, with God as their Father and Mary, as Mother of Jesus, as their spiritual mother. Equally, as you are baptised in the Catholic Church, the newly baptised person establishes ties with a spiritual family in the Catholic Church and with fellow Christians.

Also through baptism, the newly baptised become members of their local parish and diocese. These communities are sometimes referred to as families also. For example, if a person is baptised at Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, they join the family of Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe. As Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a part of the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, they join the family of the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur also! Likewise, the Universal Church.

 

THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

The Sacrament of Baptism is administered normally on first Sunday of the month at 12.45 pm (after the 11.30 am mass) in the Church. As baptism is a community celebration, there may be more than one family having a child baptised. Only infants who are registered for baptisms will be baptised. As it also involves spiritual and administrative preparation. NO "walk-in" cases will be accepted. If there are unavoidable circumstances where you are unable to join in the 1st Sunday baptisms or if a child is below

the age of 5 years and wish to celebrate the Sacrament at another time please consult parish priest for arrangements. For adults who need Baptism / First Holy Communion / Confirmation please contact the RCIA coordinator (John Soosai (E) 0173613186, Nicolas Nyangan (B) 0192517202, Dennis Tan (M) 0126569186, Michael Anthony (T) 0193304996 )

 

REQUIREMENT FOR THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

Both parents and godparents are required to complete the Baptism Preparations which entail baptism registration and baptism preparation class.

 

BAPTISM REGISTRATION

Those seeking to have their child baptised at Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe are required to register for Baptism by contacting the Parish Office. You are required to fill in and submit the Baptism application

forms (You may download the form from http://parish.olgpuchong.org/tiki-index.php?page=Forms&structure=Office) to the parish Office before the Wednesday of the 1st Sunday of each month.

Please be prepared to provide:

  1.  names and address of parents
  2. godparents and parish affiliation
  3. name of child and date of birth
  4. place of birth and
  5. copy of birth certificate I MyKid

It is recommended that your child be dressed in white for the Baptism. Keep in mind that the priest must anoint the child's chest during the celebration of the sacrament. Therefore, choose a garment that can be loosened around the neck. The parents/ god-parents are required to provide a candle that will be used during the Baptism Service.

There are no fees to have your child baptised at Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe. If you wish to make a donation to the church at the time of your child's baptism, it would be appreciated.

 

WHO CAN BE BAPTISED?

Paragraph 1246 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church states that "Every person not yet baptised and only such a person is able to be baptised." An indelible (or permanent) mark is left on the soul when one is baptised and there is neither way nor any reason that one could be re-baptised.

 

WHO CAN BAPTISE?

The Catholic Church has ordinary ministers for sacraments i.e. bishops, priests, and deacons. Most baptisms are done by a priest when the person is an infant. There are extreme cases when any baptised or even an unbaptised person can baptise someone. All that is required is "the will to do what the Church does when she baptises, and to apply the Trinitarian Baptismal formula." This is usually done because someone is laying on his/her death bed and they truly desire to become, Christian. This type of Baptism is valid because the Church believes in the universal saving will of God and the necessity of Baptism for salvation (1 Timothy 2:4, John 3:5).

 

WHY ARE CHILDREN BAPTISED?

To remove original sin. 'The practice of infant Baptism is an immemorial tradition of the Church. There is explicit testimony to this practice from the second century on, and it is quite possible that, from the beginning of the apostolic preaching, when whole "households" received baptism, infants may also have been baptised," (Acts 18:8; 1 Corinthians 1:16). (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1252)

 

WHAT DOES THE GRACE OF BAPTISM ACCOMPLISH?

Baptism does five things specifically.

  1. It forgives all sins that may have been committed prior to a person's baptism including original sin and it relieves the punishment for those sins.

  2. It makes the newly baptised person "a new creature". It turns the person into a newly adopted son/daughter of God and a member of Christ. Baptism incorporates one into the Church which is the body of Christ.

  3. It brings someone into the flock of the faithful and brings them to share in the royal priesthood of Christ (1Pet. 2:9-10). It gives a share in the common priesthood of all believers and it also brings about the sacramental bond of the unity of Christians.

  4. Paragraph 1271 Of the Catechism says it best: Baptism constitutes the foundation of communion among all Christians, including those who are not yet in full communion with the Catholic Church: "For men who believe in Christ and have been properly baptised are put in some, though imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church. Justified by faith in Baptism, they are incorporated into Christ; they therefore have a right to be called Christians, and with good reason are accepted as brothers by the children of the Catholic Church." "Baptism therefore constitutes the sacramental bond of unity existing among all who through it are reborn."

  5. Last, but certainly not in the least, it leaves an indelible spiritual mark (character) of belonging to Christ on the soul. Nothing you can do will take away this mark. You will always carry the mark of a Christian on you. It makes re-baptism impossible.

     

WHAT IS THE FORM AND MATTER OF BAPTISM?

The form of a sacrament is the words that are said when performing or receiving the sacrament. In the case Of Baptism this would be, "I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." The matter of a sacrament is the physical signs that are present or used such as water and oil in the case Of baptism.

 

YOUR ROLE AS PARENT:
WHY DO YOU WANT YOUR CHILD BAPTISED?

Parents are the primary Christian Role Models for their children. To learn the name of God, your child must first hear it from your lips and the lips of others - just as you did. To "know" God, your child needs to be able to feel divine love in the warmth of your arms and in the mutual care lived in the circle of family and Church.

Worshiping each Sunday together as a family teaches children that God comes first in their lives and that their parish family is also there to support them when in need. Worshiping and praying regularly gives your child a solid foundation on which he/she can develop a strong relationship with God. Teaching your child to pray can be the greatest gift you give your child which can be a guide throughout their lives. Let your child experience saying grace before meals as a family and pray the Our Father, the rosary. Guide your child in reading the scriptures. Your child will learn these prayers only if you pray with them.

 

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF GODPARENTS?

Godparents for Baptism are akin to sponsors for Confirmation. However, they take on a different role since usually only children have godparents for baptism. Their role is to take over or assist in the faith development of the person being baptized in the event that his/her parents cannot or if they neglect the child. This fulfills the baptismal promise of being raised in the Catholic faith.

Godparents should be committed Catholics who will provide a good example to your child as he/she matures in the faith. Godparents must be fully initiated (have received Baptism, Confirmation and First Holy Communion) and be practicing Catholics.

The Church makes the following requirements of godparents

  1. There can only be one godparent of each gender - one godmother, one godfather
  2. A parent of the child cannot be a godparent
  3. The godparent must be 16 years or older
  4. Godparents must be practicing Catholics
  5. Godparents need to be already confirmed