Diocesan Liturgical Guidelines

For information on the celebration of the rites for Baptisms, Christian Funerals, and Weddings, please review the information presented below.

Baptism

Baptism incorporates us into Christ and forms us into God's people. This first sacrament pardons all our sins, rescues us from the power of darkness, and brings us to the dignity of adopted children, a new creation through water and the Holy Spirit. Hence, we are called and are indeed children of God. (The Rites, Christian Initiation, #2)

Godparents: Two godparents (godmother and godfather) are people chosen by the candidate or in the case of infants, the child's parents, for their good qualities, example of the life lived, and approved by the priest. It is the responsibility of the godparents to show the candidate how to practice the gospel life spiritually and socially. (The Rites, Christian Initiation, #11)

Time and Place: In the usual case, baptism is celebrated at the Easter Vigil. When this is not possible, baptisms may be celebrated at the community's weekly Sunday Mass. Additional time arrangements may be made (The Rites, Christian Initiation, #26).

Weddings

A marriage is established by the marriage covenant, the irrevocable consent that the spouses freely give to and receive from each other. This unique union of a man and a woman and the good of children impose total fidelity on each of them and the unbreakable unity of their bond. (The Rites, Marriage, #2)

Catholic Christian Funeral Guidelines

Understanding Death: A Christian Perspective: Death and passing on to eternal life are mysteries at the center of the Church's belief. Although American culture generally recoils from death and tries to deny it, " In the face of death, the Church confidently proclaims that God has created each person for eternal life and that Jesus, the Son of God, by his death and resurrection, has broken the chains of sin and death that bound humanity." (Order of Christian Funerals, #1)

Celebration of the Church: Christian funerals are not private observances, but celebrations of the whole Body of Christ, in which, "Christians celebrate the funeral rites to offer worship, praise, and thanksgiving to God for the gift of life which has now been returned to God, the author of life and the hope of the just." (Order of Christian Funerals, #5) Therefore these rites are celebrated with appropriate choices of music, readings, gestures, and decorations that are consistent with a Catholic understanding of death. " The celebration of the Christian funeral brings hope and consolation to the living. While proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ and witnessing to Christian hope in the resurrection, the funeral rites also recall to all who take part in them God's mercy and judgment and meet the human need to turn always to God in times of crisis." (Order of Christian Funerals, #7)

Ministry to Mourners: The Role of the Parish - The parish is a community of Christian believers. Therefore the parish should see the funeral as a parish celebration and the liturgy as an expression of that joy and hope.Role of Family and Friends - The mourners should be involved in planning the rites as much as allowed by circumstances.