Baptism: A Sacrament of Initiation

The Baptism of Ethan Preston Flowers:
Mom, Courtney Perry Flowers, holds her son, while Dad, Jarrod Flowers, stands by her                         and Godparents: Andrei Lane and LaFini Mosby witness.

BAPTISM: Is the first of three "Sacraments of Initiation." The other two 
                     are Eucharist and Confirmation. Baptism is the basis of the                               whole Christian Life,  the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the                            door which gives access to the other sacraments. "Baptism is                         the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word.                    (CCC 1213)                   

            "To baptize" means to plunge or immerse (from the Greek);               the plunge into the water symbolizes our burial into Christ's             death, from which he rises up to resurrection with him, as a             new creation.

A SACRAMENT OF INITIATION
                   Baptism celebrates our response to the Holy Spirit's invitation
                   to believe in Christ and live the Gospel. We can be baptized
                   only once. Baptism leaves a "character or sign" on our soul. 
                   It marks us forever as belonging to Christ. The character
                   consecrates us for Christian worship.
                   With Baptism we are incorporated into the life of GOD,
                   who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Our life in the Trinity is one
                   of relationship:  with the Father, we are adopted sons and                                             daughters;  with the Son, we are sisters and brothers; and
                   with the Holy Spirit, we are "Living Temples of the Spirit."

   GODPARENTS: are members from the Catholic Community, who are
                    willing to accompany the newly baptized in their Faith and
                    as active members of the Church support them.  Ordinarily,
                    there is a Godfather and a Godmother, who must be at least
                    16 or older and a fully initiated Catholic.  That is baptized,
                    confirmed and receives the Eucharist.

   CHRISTIAN WITNESS: is a person who in addition to the Godparents
                    is a baptized--Christian, who has been asked to support
                    the baptized in Faith.

    BAPTISMAL PREPARATION: prior to the celebration of the Sacrament
                   of Baptism, there is a required preparation session for the
                   parents, who are the "first teachers of Faith;"  along with
                   the Godparents.  

                  TIMELINE for BAPTISMAL PREPARATION: