CELEBRATING
THE SACRAMENTS AT SAINT LUKE’S CHURCH
Baptism,
which is the first sacrament we receive, opens the door to all the other sacraments.
Through Baptism, a person becomes a Christian and a member of the Church.
Baptism is the beginning of our discipleship in Jesus Christ.
The
Church baptizes infants, children, teenagers and adults.
Infants
are baptized when their parents assume the responsibility of assuring that the
child will be given the opportunity and example to discover Jesus Christ and
his teachings within the Roman Catholic faith.
First-time
parents at St. Luke’s participate in a gathering on two succeeding Sundays
which explores the meaning of Baptism, our faith as Catholics, and Christian
parenting.
School
age children and adults prepare for Baptism by participating in formation which
is called Catechumenate (a
word which designates a period of preparation for Baptism).
Godparents
of infants and school-age children are committed Roman Catholics who are chosen
by the parents. They serve as role-models and promise to assist in the
Religious upbringing of the child. In the case of adults being baptized, the
person is chosen by the candidate for baptism.
Those
to be baptized usually have one or two Godparents. A baptized non-Catholic may
also be chosen to serve along with a Catholic Godparent provided he or she is
willing to assist in the Christian formation of the child.
Baptism
at St. Luke’s is usually celebrated at