Baptism
Saint Matthew's is always happy to celebrate the sacrament of Baptism, which is a moment of joy for the whole Church. Whether we are sharing in the Baptism of adults at the Easter Vigil, or sharing in the Baptism of infants and young children throughout the liturgical year, we know that we are celebrating a journey of faith that has reached a new milestone. We know too that we are also pledging to journey together even further, that together we might experience more intimately the love of God who summons us ever closer.
Since Baptism, like all the sacraments, involves the action of the whole Church, those approaching Saint Matthew's for the Baptism of their children are expected to be Christian believers and members of the parish. Since it is often the birth of a child that prompts a young couple to approach the Church for the first time as independent adults, it is often a good time to establish a relationship with a parish community as a new Christian household. That relationship, of course, means more than merely filling out a form. Joining a parish means bonding with other Catholic Christians through weekend worship, lifelong faith formation and ministry. It is in fact your participation in these things that serve as the first phase of the sacramental preparation for Baptism.
At Saint Matthew's Church, we try to make the celebration of Baptism part of an initiation into a church community that will strive to share our faith in the Gospel of Jesus which we hold sacred, and where that faith can be nurtured. If you would like to consider celebrating your child's Baptism at Saint Matthew's Church, please call us at the parish office. Once you make that call, you will be invited to meet with the Pastor or one of the members of our Parish Baptismal Team. If you have not been a member of our parish you will have an opportunity to ask any questions about parish life or Baptism, and hopefully begin to feel more at home at Saint Matthew's. When you do, you will also have an opportunity to officially register as a parish member.
Once you have made your initial inquiries and commitments, you will be invited to be a part of the more immediate Baptismal preparation. Expectant mothers who will be seeking Baptism, are invited to celebrate God's love and care for their unborn child with a Blessing of Pregnancy. This blessing is a liturgical sign of God's Grace and the support of our parish community during this special time in the life of your family.
In order to make the celebration of your child's first sacrament as meaningful as possible for all involved, Saint Matthew's hosts a one-session parent preparation program. This session invites parents and members of the baptismal team together to explore the rich history and evolution of the sacrament of baptism, the significance of its symbolism, and their own personal experiences, understandings, and feelings. Parents seeking the Baptism of their child are expected to attend - extended family (ex: grandparents, godparents, your new baby!, etc.) are welcome. Parents are welcome to attend these sessions prior to the anticipated arrival of their newest family member.
Much like Baptism itself is lived out over time, so too Baptism is celebrated over time. At Saint Matthew's the community aspects of our Baptismal Rituals take place in two parts. Recognizing that Baptism is most fittingly celebrated when the community is present, Saint Matthew's celebrates these two liturgical moments at weekend liturgies scheduled throughout the year.
The first part, the Rite of Enrollment, normally takes place once the family has determined that they will seek Baptism for their child and has completed the preparation session. It is at this time that the child receives the Church's First Blessing.
The second part, the Liturgy of Baptism, takes place once the preparation program has been completed. At this liturgy, the child being baptized, together with the parents, godparents, families and friends are called to the font in the presence of our worshiping community. During the Baptismal Liturgy, the parish community offers its continued support with faith and prayer, as the parents strive to be not only the first but the best teachers of the faith, in fact becoming a "domestic church". This liturgy is clearly the high point of the process, celebrating the life of God in your child and in the Church Community.
For more information and to register for our program, contact Peggy McQuade at st.mattswelcome@gmail.com
or (518) 765-2805 Ext. 14. We look forward to welcoming your child into the Catholic Church and celebrating with you the wonder of God's love as revealed here at St. Matthew's. Once again, welcome!
Since Baptism, like all the sacraments, involves the action of the whole Church, those approaching Saint Matthew's for the Baptism of their children are expected to be Christian believers and members of the parish. Since it is often the birth of a child that prompts a young couple to approach the Church for the first time as independent adults, it is often a good time to establish a relationship with a parish community as a new Christian household. That relationship, of course, means more than merely filling out a form. Joining a parish means bonding with other Catholic Christians through weekend worship, lifelong faith formation and ministry. It is in fact your participation in these things that serve as the first phase of the sacramental preparation for Baptism.
At Saint Matthew's Church, we try to make the celebration of Baptism part of an initiation into a church community that will strive to share our faith in the Gospel of Jesus which we hold sacred, and where that faith can be nurtured. If you would like to consider celebrating your child's Baptism at Saint Matthew's Church, please call us at the parish office. Once you make that call, you will be invited to meet with the Pastor or one of the members of our Parish Baptismal Team. If you have not been a member of our parish you will have an opportunity to ask any questions about parish life or Baptism, and hopefully begin to feel more at home at Saint Matthew's. When you do, you will also have an opportunity to officially register as a parish member.
Once you have made your initial inquiries and commitments, you will be invited to be a part of the more immediate Baptismal preparation. Expectant mothers who will be seeking Baptism, are invited to celebrate God's love and care for their unborn child with a Blessing of Pregnancy. This blessing is a liturgical sign of God's Grace and the support of our parish community during this special time in the life of your family.
In order to make the celebration of your child's first sacrament as meaningful as possible for all involved, Saint Matthew's hosts a one-session parent preparation program. This session invites parents and members of the baptismal team together to explore the rich history and evolution of the sacrament of baptism, the significance of its symbolism, and their own personal experiences, understandings, and feelings. Parents seeking the Baptism of their child are expected to attend - extended family (ex: grandparents, godparents, your new baby!, etc.) are welcome. Parents are welcome to attend these sessions prior to the anticipated arrival of their newest family member.
Much like Baptism itself is lived out over time, so too Baptism is celebrated over time. At Saint Matthew's the community aspects of our Baptismal Rituals take place in two parts. Recognizing that Baptism is most fittingly celebrated when the community is present, Saint Matthew's celebrates these two liturgical moments at weekend liturgies scheduled throughout the year.
The first part, the Rite of Enrollment, normally takes place once the family has determined that they will seek Baptism for their child and has completed the preparation session. It is at this time that the child receives the Church's First Blessing.
The second part, the Liturgy of Baptism, takes place once the preparation program has been completed. At this liturgy, the child being baptized, together with the parents, godparents, families and friends are called to the font in the presence of our worshiping community. During the Baptismal Liturgy, the parish community offers its continued support with faith and prayer, as the parents strive to be not only the first but the best teachers of the faith, in fact becoming a "domestic church". This liturgy is clearly the high point of the process, celebrating the life of God in your child and in the Church Community.
For more information and to register for our program, contact Peggy McQuade at st.mattswelcome@gmail.com
or (518) 765-2805 Ext. 14. We look forward to welcoming your child into the Catholic Church and celebrating with you the wonder of God's love as revealed here at St. Matthew's. Once again, welcome!
| baptism_schedule_2018-2019.pdf |
St. Matthew's Baptism Schedule 2018-2019
Prep Session* Rite of Enrollment / Blessing of Pregnancy** Baptism Liturgy**
2018
Sun, Sept 23 Sat, Oct 27 - 5 PM / Sun, Oct 28 Sat, Nov 24 - 5 PM / Sun, Nov 25
Sun, Nov 11 Sat, Dec 8 - 5 PM / Sun, Dec 9 Sat, Jan 12- 5 PM / Sun, Jan 13
Baptism of the Lord Weekend
2019
Sun, Dec 9 Sat, Jan 19 - 5 PM / Sun, Jan 20 Sat, Feb 23- 5 PM / Sun, Feb 24
Sun, Feb 24 Sat, April 27 - 5 PM / Sun, April 28 Sat, May 11 - 5 PM / Sun, May 12
Sun, April 28 Sat, May 11 - 5 PM / Sun, May 12 Sat, June 22 - 5 PM / Sun, June 23
Sun, June 23 Sat, July 13 - 5 PM / Sun, July 14 Sat, Aug 24 - 5 PM / Sun, Aug 25
Sun, Aug 25 Sat, Sept 21- 5 PM / Sun, Sept 22 Sat, Oct 19 - 5 PM / Sun, Oct 20
Sun, Sept 22 Sat, Oct 26 - 5 PM / Sun, Oct 27 Sat, Nov 23- 5 PM / Sun, Nov 24
*Preparation Sessions are held on Sunday's St. Matthew's Church at 11:45 AM.
**Baptism scheduled for Sunday may be celebrated during either 8:30 AM or 10:30 AM Mass.
For expecting mothers, "The Blessing of Pregnancy" is offered during the same time as The Rite of Enrollment.
Prep Session* Rite of Enrollment / Blessing of Pregnancy** Baptism Liturgy**
2018
Sun, Sept 23 Sat, Oct 27 - 5 PM / Sun, Oct 28 Sat, Nov 24 - 5 PM / Sun, Nov 25
Sun, Nov 11 Sat, Dec 8 - 5 PM / Sun, Dec 9 Sat, Jan 12- 5 PM / Sun, Jan 13
Baptism of the Lord Weekend
2019
Sun, Dec 9 Sat, Jan 19 - 5 PM / Sun, Jan 20 Sat, Feb 23- 5 PM / Sun, Feb 24
Sun, Feb 24 Sat, April 27 - 5 PM / Sun, April 28 Sat, May 11 - 5 PM / Sun, May 12
Sun, April 28 Sat, May 11 - 5 PM / Sun, May 12 Sat, June 22 - 5 PM / Sun, June 23
Sun, June 23 Sat, July 13 - 5 PM / Sun, July 14 Sat, Aug 24 - 5 PM / Sun, Aug 25
Sun, Aug 25 Sat, Sept 21- 5 PM / Sun, Sept 22 Sat, Oct 19 - 5 PM / Sun, Oct 20
Sun, Sept 22 Sat, Oct 26 - 5 PM / Sun, Oct 27 Sat, Nov 23- 5 PM / Sun, Nov 24
*Preparation Sessions are held on Sunday's St. Matthew's Church at 11:45 AM.
**Baptism scheduled for Sunday may be celebrated during either 8:30 AM or 10:30 AM Mass.
For expecting mothers, "The Blessing of Pregnancy" is offered during the same time as The Rite of Enrollment.