Religious Events

Dear Mary Catherine,

When you were baptized, you entered into a covenant relationship with God. We made promises to God on your behalf; when you are older, you will affirm them for yourself. God made promises to you also; he participates with you in this covenant relationship, which began with your Baptism, and which will be fulfilled at the last when you see him face to face.

Here are your five promises, your baptismal covenant with God:

1) To continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers.
2) To persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, to repent and return to the Lord.
3) To proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ.
4) To seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself.
5) To strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.

What did God promise you? My job, as your Sponsor, is to teach you the wonderful answer to that question!

Love, Aunt Martha

Dear Mary Catherine,

From now on, whenever you see a Baptismal font filled with holy water, just touch the water to remind yourself of your covenant relationship with God. Here is the prayer that was said over the water when you were baptized:

We thank you, Almighty God, for the gift of water. Over it the Holy Spirit moved in the beginning of creation. Through it you led the children of Israel out of their bondage in Egypt into the land of promise. In it your Son Jesus received the baptism of John and was anointed by the Holy Spirit as the Messiah, the Christ, to lead us, through his death and resurrection, from the bondage of sin into everlasting life. We thank you, Father, for the water of Baptism. In it we are buried with Christ in his death. By it we share in his resurrection. Through it we are reborn by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, in joyful obedience to your Son, we bring into his fellowship those who come to him in faith, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Now sanctify this water, we pray you, by the power of your Holy Spirit, that those who here are cleansed from sin and born again may continue for ever in the risen life of Jesus Christ our Savior. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen!

Love, Aunt Martha

Dear Mary Catherine,

When you were baptized, as your Sponsor (Godmother), I promised to see that you are brought up in the Christian faith and life, and to grow into the full stature of Christ. Here are the things I will teach you:

1) How to pray: to feel a connection with God; to tell God what is in your heart; to listen in silence for God; to admit when you fall short of God’s love; to heal brokenness with love; to make daily prayer a lifelong habit.

2) How to read the Bible: to study it in ways appropriate to your age and understanding; to make daily reading of the Bible a lifelong habit.

3) To live a Christian life and obey the teaching of Christ: to keep your baptismal vows; to love others as God loves you; to work, pray, and give for the spread of God’s love; to be regular in attendance at worship; to discern and do God’s will; and to apply this all in your day-to-day living.

4) The Creeds and the faith of the Church: what it means to be a Christian in covenant with God through Christ; the history, structure and worship of the Church; the Creeds and other important statements of faith.

5) To take your place in the eucharistic community: to be regular in attendance at worship; to understand and participate in the sacraments; to give and receive love and support in Christ with all the members of your faith community; and to discover the ministry to which God is calling you.

6) And finally, to make your own commitment to Christ: through confirmation before the Bishop; and by assuming responsibility for your own continued Christian life and formation.

Your parents and I will be there for you. We will do this together!

Love, Aunt Martha
Your Sponsor

(Apparently, nijjharjatt did not read the rules and regs of this web site, and I am surprised that Beliefnet allowed this posting.) Regardless,congratulations little one on your joining the Christian family. We Christians welcome you with open arms
and rejoice with you and your family in this wonderful celebration of life.