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Baptism at St. Joan of Arc ...a family's experience of April 1st, 2001

April 1st, 2001 was a very special day for our family as well as five other families. It was Baptism Sunday at St. Joan of Arc.

Our daughter had participated in a 90-minute class preparing her and her baby Padraig for the Sacrament of Baptism. The class is mandatory for parents requesting their children to be baptized at St. Joan’s. Darlene Arbuckle is the contact person for the Baptism program. She will set up parents for their class and their coordinators.

My daughter, being a single parent, had reservations about attending the class by herself but once there, the coordinator put her at ease. In addition, my daughter requested 3 sponsors and was allowed this exception. That was so wonderful.

After completing the 90-minute class, parents are asked to write a covenant with St. Joan’s parish as to what the parents wish for their child, return it to the parish and then on one of 2 Sundays a month, attend the Baptism ceremony in the church.

There is no age limit for Baptism, so the child does not have to be an infant. As a matter of fact on our Baptism Sunday, there were two young boys from the same family celebrating the sacrament of Baptism.

On our special day, Father George officiated. All six families had their friends and other family members in the church. Father George asked each family what they were asking of the church and they responded, “Christian Faith”. Parents and sponsors were asked to touch the child being baptized as a sign of support and also to make the sign of the cross on the forehead as a sign of our faith.

Each family was given a candle signifying the light of Christ, each baptized child was anointed with Holy Oil-a symbol of God’s spirit to strengthen them, and each baptized child was given a special cloth-a symbol of putting on Christ.

Molly Ryan is a full-blooded Mexican married to a full-blooded Irishman. They have 2 grown children, Kelly and Shannon. Molly has been attending SJA since 1994 and has taught Sunday School in addition to other volunteering.

The ceremony ended with Father George taking photos for the parish Journal. It was a lovely ceremony. Thanks to all who made it so special.