Baptismal Catechesis
On the first Friday of each month, the Baptism Catechesis team meets with new parents in the Lower Church to discuss the Sacrament of Baptism. One of the goals of the meeting is to communicate a sense of welcome, which is characteristic of St. Agnes Parish. Coffee and refreshments are served and we are often pleasantly surprised to meet new neighbors and greet our tiny new parishioners, as well. Babies are always welcome at the meeting and it is a rare meeting that does not include a new baby snuggled up in his portable car seat.
As the meeting begins, we are gathered in a circle and one of the team members offers a prayer of thanksgiving and a prayer for the success of our meeting. Our team of married couples and priests are introduced and then the new parents are asked to introduce themselves. We also ask that each person share something about themselves and their families. This helps to relax the group, as we all become a part of the dialogue. As team members, we share how we came to St. Agnes and why we continue to worship here. This is a great opportunity to share with the group the importance of our participation in our Christian Community, as each one of the team members has great enthusiasm for our Parish. Interestingly, all four couples are active in our Family Liturgy Mass and are able to share that experience with the new parents who may be seeking a "child-friendly" Sunday Mass. It is a wonderful joy to be able to share faith with the couples that we meet each month and listen and learn as we all struggle to understand how the Lord leads us in our commitment to our families, to our Church and our Lord.
The teaching portion of the meeting is lead by the team using the book, Together at Baptism, Robert M. Hamma, Ave Maria Press, 1994. Each member of the team draws on their own personal experience to make connections that will make it more meaningful to the parents. Our priests have an excellent understanding of the historical development of the sacrament, which aids us all in a deeper understanding of Baptism and our Christian commitment. As the teaching progresses, the dialogues often continues, as people often have questions and have become comfortable enough to ask them. The meeting lasts about an hour and a half and we close with the group joining hands and praying the Our Father. It is always an enjoyable and enriching evening.
The team consists of Father Steve Rock, Father Edward Malone, William and Linda McKenzie, Michael and Marie Lucey, Kenneth and Lori Foley, Susan Shields and Marc Dumas.