<Father Danny traces the sign of the cross on Christopher's forehead.>
The following is the transcript of Christopher's baptism. This is provided for all who were unable to attend. For those who did attend, this is a chance to renew your beliefs and your faith.
The ceremony was officiated by Father Danny Garcia, Pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. The parents are Stephen and Tana Reeve. The Godparents are Brett Reeve and Susan Shultz. Other witnesses present at the ceremony were Harold and Carol Reeve, Earl and Dorothy Eastabrooks, Leonard and LaVerne Haubl, Samantha Reeve, Phillip Eastabrooks, Larry Edwards and the congregation of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.
[Father Danny greets all present, and especially the parents and godparents, reminding them briefly of the joy
with which the parents welcomed this child as a gift from God, the source of life, who now wishes to bestow his
own life on this little one.]
<Opening procession>
[First Father Danny questions the parents:]
Fr Danny : "What name do you give your child?"
Stephen and Tana : "Christopher Michael"
Fr Danny : "What do you ask of God's Church for Christopher Michael?"
Stephen and Tana : "Baptism."
Fr Danny : "You have asked to have your child baptized. In doing so you are accepting the responsibility
of training him in the practice of the faith. It will be your duty to bring him up to keep God's commandments as
Christ taught us, by loving God and our neighbor. Do you clearly understand what you are undertaking?"
Stephen and Tana : "We do."
Fr Danny : "I ask you as Godparents, are you ready to help the parents of this child in their duty
as Christian parents?"
Brett and Susan : "We are."
| Fr Danny : "Christopher Michael, the Christian community welcomes you with great joy. In its name I
claim you for Christ our Savior by the sign of his cross. I now trace the cross on your forehead, and invite your
parents, godparents, and all those who are here to do the same. I sign you: the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit." <Father Danny traces the sign of the cross on Christopher's forehead.> |
|
<Scriptural Readings and Homily>
<Intercessions (Prayer of the Faithful)>
| <Father Danny raises hand over Christopher.> Fr Danny : "Almighty and ever-living God, you sent your only Son into the world to cast out the power of Satan, spirit of evil, to rescue us from the kingdom of darkness, and bring us into the splendor of your kingdom of light. We pray for this Christopher Michael; set him free from original sin, make him a temple of your glory, and send your Holy Spirit to dwell with him. We ask this through Christ our Lord." |
|
| <Father Danny gets the chrism oil.> <Tana opens Christopher's shirt.> Fr Danny : "Christopher Michael, we anoint you with the oil of salvation in the name of Christ our Savior; may he strengthen you with his power, who lives and reigns for ever and ever." <Father Danny anoints Christopher on the breast with the oil of catechumens.> Fr Danny : "Christopher Michael, may you have strength in the power of Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns for ever and ever." |
|
Fr Danny : "My dear brothers and sisters, as we come together for Christopher Michael's baptism, we now ask God to bless this water that will be used with his new life in Christ.
<Father Danny raises his hand over the water.>
Fr Danny : "Father, you give us grace through sacramental signs, which tell us of the wonders of
your unseen power. In baptism we use your gift of water, which you have made a rich symbol of the grace you give
us in this sacrament. At the very dawn of creation your Spirit breathed on the waters, making them the wellspring
of all holiness. The waters of the great flood you made a sign of the waters of baptism, that make an end of sin
and a new beginning of goodness. Through the waters of the Red Sea you led Israel out of slavery, to be an image
of God's holy people, set free from sin by baptism.
In the waters of the Jordan your Son was baptized by John and anointed with the Spirit. Your Son willed that water
and blood should flow from his side as he hung upon the cross. After his resurrection he told his disciples: 'Go
out and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Father, look now with love upon your Church, and unseal for her the fountain of baptism. By the power of the Spirit
give to the water of this font the grace of your Son. You created man and woman in your own likeness: cleanse them
from sin in a new birth to innocence by water and the Spirit.
We ask you, Father, with your Son to send the Holy Spirit upon the water of this font. May all who are buried with
Christ in the death of baptism rise also with him to newness of life. We ask this through Christ our Lord."
All : "Amen"
<Father Danny touches the water with his right hand and continues:>
Fr Danny : "My dear parents, I ask you this day:"
Fr Danny : "Do you reject Satan?"
Stephen and Tana : "We do."
Fr Danny : "And all his works?"
Stephen and Tana : "We do."
Fr Danny : "And all his empty promises?"
Stephen and Tana : "We do."
Fr Danny : "Do you believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth?
Stephen and Tana : "We do."
Fr Danny : "Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary,
was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?"
Stephen and Tana : "We do."
Fr Danny : "Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the
forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
Stephen and Tana : "We do."
Fr Danny : "My dear friends, this is our faith. This is the faith of the Church. We are proud to profess
it, in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Fr Danny : "Stephen and Tana, is it your will that Christopher Michael should be baptized in the
faith of the Church, which we have all professed with you?"
Stephen and Tana : "Yes."
| Fr Danny : "I would like you to bring Christopher Michael to the waters of life." |  |
| <Father Danny baptizes Christopher Michael.> Fr Danny : "Christopher Michael, I baptize you in the name of the Father <pours water on head>, and of the Son <pours water on head>, and of the Holy Spirit <pours water on head>. <Christopher cries.> <Father Danny wipes head.> |
 |
Fr Danny : "Christopher Michael, God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has freed you from sin, given
you a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and welcomed you into his holy people. He now anoints you with the
chrism of salvation. As Christ was anointed Priest, Prophet, and King, so may you live always as a member of his
body, sharing everlasting life."
| <Father Danny pours oil on Christopher's head and then rubs it in.> Fr Danny : "Christopher Michael, I anoint you with this chrism. May you realize how special you are to God who has claimed you." |
|
Fr Danny : "Christopher Michael, you have become a new creation today. You have clothed yourself
in Christ. See in this white garment your family has dressed you with and then which I place on you. It is an outward
sign of your Christian dignity. With the help of your family and friends may you bring that dignity unstained into
the everlasting life of heaven.
<The white garment is put on the child.>
| <Deacon Allen takes the Easter candle.> Fr Danny : "Godparents, I ask you both to receive the light of Christ from the Easter candle. <Brett and Susan light Christopher's baptismal candle from the Easter candle.> Fr Danny : "Receive the light of Christ for Christopher Michael. Parents and godparents, this light you have received from our Easter candle is entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly. For Christopher Michael today has been enlightened by Christ. He is to always walk as a child of the light. May he keep the flame of faith alive in his heart. When the Lord comes, may he go out to meet him with all the saints in the heavenly kingdom. |
|
Fr Danny : "Christopher Michael, the Lord Jesus made the deaf hear and the dumb speak. May he soon
touch your ears to receive his word, and your mouth to proclaim his faith, to the praise and glory of God the Father."
<Father Danny touches the ears and mouth of the child with his thumb.>
Fr Danny : "Christopher Michael, we the parish of St. Vincent de Paul welcome you with great joy."
<clapping by the congregation>
