WHAT BAPTISM IS ALL ABOUT… Acts 19:1-6

JOURNAL QUESTION: Describe a time you were alienated. When did it happen? Who did it involve? How did it feel? Or…describe a time when you alienated someone else. Why did you do it? How did you feel afterwards?

EVOLUTION & THE CHURCH The Catholic Church takes no definitive stance on Evolution vs. Creationism This means the Church would support those who believe in evolution, if they hold onto one primary truth: Everything that exists ultimately comes from GOD & GOD made SOMETHING out of NOTHING The human body may have evolved, but “the Catholic faith obliges us to hold that souls are immediately created by God" (Humani Generis #36).

In the beginning… The first human beings had absolute freedom They also had “original holiness” God gave man absolute “dominion” over everything But the fact of human nature is that man abused the freedom he was given

ORIGINAL SIN So what exactly was THE original sin? “the moment you eat of [the fruit] your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods…” (Genesis 3:5b) The Original Sin was PRIDE that led to DISOBEDIENCE

MY OWN PRISON By: Creed

A court is in session, a verdict is in no appeal on the docket today just my own sin the walls are cold and pale the cage made of steal screams fill the room alone I drop and kneel

Silence now the sound my breath the only motion around Demons cluttering around my face showing no emotion Shackled by my sentence expecting no return Here there is no penance my skin begins to burn

So I held my head up high hiding hate that burns inside Which only fuels their selfish pride We're all held captive out from the sun a sun that shines on only some We the meek are all in one

I hear a thunder in the distance see a vision of a cross I feel the pain that was given and that sad day of loss A lion roars in the darkness only he holds the key A light to free me from my burden and grant me life eternally

Should have been dead on a Sunday morning banging my head No time for mourning ain't got no time Should have been dead on a Sunday morning banging my head No time for mourning ain't got no time

So I held my head up high hiding hate that burns inside Which only fuels their selfish pride We're all held captive out from the sun a sun that shines on only some We the meek are all in one

I cry out to God seeking only his decision Gabriel stands and confirms I've created my own prison I cry out to God seeking only his decision Gabriel stands and confirms I've created my own prison

So I held my head up high hiding hate that burns inside Which only fuels their selfish pride We're all held captive out from the sun a sun that shines on only some We the meek are all in one

So I held my head up high hiding hate that burns inside Which only fuels their selfish pride We're all held captive out from the sun a sun that shines on only some We the meek are all in one I’ve created my own prison

GRACE God’s Grace overcomes the reality of sin In Baptism, we are washed clean of the guilt of Original Sin The tendency to sin still remains, and that is known as concupiscence

BAPTISM: Sharing in the Mission Of Jesus Redemption Receiving the Gift of the Holy Spirit Being Born Again Initiation into a Christian community A permanent character change

BAPTISM ROLE PLAYING

FOUR ESSENTIAL SYMBOLS OF BAPTISM OIL (x2) WATER CANDLE WHITE GARMENT

QUESTIONS ABOUT BAPTISM: If I’ve been baptized in another religion, do I have to get re-baptized if I become Catholic? No! As long as you were baptized with water and “In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.” What if I didn’t choose to get baptized in the first place? Can I undo it? Then you were baptized because your parents cared for you. You are free to live up to those baptismal promises or not. But you cannot “undo” a baptism.

Can unbaptized people still go to heaven? Yes, and this belief is known as a: BAPTISM OF DESIRE If someone truly didn’t know about the importance of Baptism but lived a loving and truthful life, then we believe that they may achieve salvation. Who are the normal ministers of baptism? A bishop, priest or deacon are the normal ministers of baptism.

Can I ever validly baptize someone? Yes, in cases of emergency. What’s required: Water Right Intention Saying: “I baptise you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit." (C.C.C. # 1284) What if a baby dies before it is baptized? This used to be a major concern in the Early Church. We are told in the Bible that God loves children Jesus always invited children to follow Him We have a merciful God who we believe would never turn away an innocent child from his kingdom. See Mark 10:14