New Life and Ways of Living
Through symbolic immersion in the waters of baptism, you are “grafted into the paschal mystery of Christ.” In a mysterious way, you “die with him, are buried with him, and rise with him” (Sacred Liturgy, 6 [1086]. Having died to sin (both original sin and personal sins are cleansed away in the waters of baptism), you have entered the community of the Church “as through a door.” Your irrevocable baptism into Christ was the beginning of a unique lifelong vocation. Many people exercise their baptismal calling through parish activities. They assist the parish as liturgical ministers, religious education teachers, members of parish council, as parents in society, in social outreach ministries like Saint’s Place and various other ministries. These are only some of the ways in which baptized members of Christ’s body live out the mystery of their baptismal vocation.
Through your baptism, you share with others “the sacramental bond of unity existing among all who through it are reborn” (Decree on Ecumenism 22). Your baptism can never be repeated because it binds you to God forever. The bond is unbreakable. It is possible for you to lose grace and even faith, but you cannot lose your baptism. You are marked as one of God’s own. That same bond links you to all baptized persons in a sacramental way. You are one of us and we are all “sacrament” persons.” Together we are called to live until death the sacramental mystery into which we have been immersed
Baptismal Preparation
1. Call Jessica and Darrin Yesbeck 407-277-5334 or baptism@avaloncatholic.org They coordinate Baptism Preparation.
2. Attend a baptism class. Classes are held once per month. You are only required to take one class. If you take a baptism class at another parish, please provide a letter confirming attendance.
3. Get a marriage tune-up. You get to choose one of three options: a Marriage Encounter retreat, Natural Family Planning, or REFOCCUS.
What is a Marriage Tune-Up?
The greatest gift you can give your child is to love your spouse. If you are married, you must complete one of three options before the baptism can take place:
A. Make a Marriage Encounter weekend retreat. Enjoy 44 uninterrupted hours with the love of your life. Marriage Encounter teaches you how to share daily with your spouse. It offers a strong monthly follow-up. The weekend retreat is offered five times a year in Orlando. Marriage Encounter has a $75 deposit. You are encouraged to make a free-will offering to pay for the full cost of the weekend, but no one is turned away due to cost. For those who speak Spanish, Renovacion Conyugal is offered seven times a year.
B. Learn to practice Natural Family Planning. NFP teaches you to know when you are fertile. You can use this knowledge to become pregnant. If you do not want to become pregnant, you can use this knowledge to be creative in your romance for several days each month. While forty percent of all marriages end in divorce, ninety-nine percent of couples that practice NFP remain married. To learn NFP, you meet two times one-on-one with a NFP training couple. The cost is $35. Call Mary Ann Scotchie at 407-629-4435.
C. Take the REFOCCUS inventory. REFOCCUS is a questionnaire you fill out separately. With the help of a mentor couple, you compare your answers with your spouse and with the preferred answers. Topics include communication, commitment, and intimacy. You meet two times one-on-one with a mentor couple. The cost is $20. Call Wilmar and Martha Rojas at (407) 923-0333 or wilmartha@gmail.com.
4. Belong to St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church. If you are not a registered member of the parish, attend the next First Step orientation held on the first Saturday of the month at the rectory
How to Join Our Parish
5. Call Fr. David 407-482-4282 to arrange a visit with him at your home.
*You must complete all of these preparations and paperwork before the baptism can take place*
Baptism Registration Form Baptism registration form[2]