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The
idea that we must be baptized in order to gain salvation
comes from John's Gospel. In it Jesus says, "No
one can enter the kingdom of God without being born
of water and Spirit" (John 3:5) Identifying with
his people's sinfulness, Jesus allowed himself to
be baptized at the hands of John to demonstrate his
solidarity with the people and to signal the beginning
of the Messianic Age that John had promised. After
Jesus' baptism, John's
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mission was accomplished and Jesus took center stage.
Later, Jesus would commission his apostles to go baptize
all nations [Matthew 28:19].
This baptism would not be a baptism of repentance
but a baptism of water and the Spirit, which would
signify that the baptized had found Jesus and were
living in forgiveness and freedom.
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Infant
baptism is a celebration of our adult faith. In the Newman
Centre Parish Community, we welcome the opportunity to baptize
new members during the Sunday liturgies. Requirements for
baptism in the Newman Centre Parish include being a registered
member of the parish community for at least one year, attending
mass regularly, and taking part in the Baptismal Preparation
Program in our parish. If you are interested in baptism for
your child, please contact Fr. Patrick O'Dea at the
Newman Centre - (416) 979-2468.
(Sr.
Ursula Mdadane, C.P.S. teaches the Baptism Course)
