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jwashu
Member
| Joined: | Wed Apr 18th, 2007 |
| Location: | Arkansas USA |
| Posts: | 14 |
| First Name: | Joe | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Baptist, Presbyterian, starting RCIA |
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Posted: Wed Jul 25th, 2007 10:51 pm |
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My oldest 2 sons (2 and 4) have already been baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in the Presbyterian Church. However my youngest, 5 mo., has not yet been Baptized because we wanted to do it in the Catholic Church as that is where we indend to be.
We have finished the inquiry portion of RCIA and are going to have a month long review in August with the hope of joining the Church sometime next month. My wife was never Baptized so she will be a Catacumen until next Easter. However it is my sincere hope that I will be able to come into full communion when we join as a family. My RCIA director and I have discussed this but I haven't been told that it would happen for sure yet. However I have been approached by others about teachine PRE this fall and my RCIA director suggested that if I did come into full communion this summer I could sponsor someone in RCIA this fall... I would love to do both or either.
In regards to our joining as a family though, do my previously Baptized sons need sponsors or Godparents? My best friend who is Catholic, not very practicing but I'm working on that, has been termed their Godfather since birth for both of the boys. Since we don't have Godparents in the Presbyterian Church this has been a personal decision. Can, if I can get him to start coming to Mass again, he be the Godfather for all of my boys? or do I need a separate one for Each child?
Thanks!
Joe
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5314 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Thu Jul 26th, 2007 12:07 am |
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jwashu wrote: do my previously Baptized sons need sponsors or Godparents?
They each need a sponsor for Confirmation. The Church actually recommends that the sponsor be a godparent. It is more important that the sponsor be an actively practicing Catholic as that person is to be a faith example to your boys.
The sponsor should take an active role in their preparation to join the Church, so he needs to be committed not only to take an active role in his own faith, but also in the faith of your sons. IF not, look elsewhere. His example will go a long way toward determining how your sons will practice their faith as adults.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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brian
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Chicago South Burbs, Illinois USA |
| Posts: | 799 |
| First Name: | brian | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | methodist, evangelical, anglican, catholic |
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Posted: Thu Jul 26th, 2007 01:37 am |
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Is it necessary to have two godparents or is it just one and normally the person's spouse counts as the other if they have one? Or if the do not have one maybe one is all they need? If it is only one can it be male or female or does it have to be one or the other? Can you help me understand anything else I need to know about the concept. Thank you.
Brian
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5314 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Thu Jul 26th, 2007 08:46 am |
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brian wrote: Is it necessary to have two godparents or is it just one and normally the person's spouse counts as the other if they have one? Or if the do not have one maybe one is all they need? If it is only one can it be male or female or does it have to be one or the other? Can you help me understand anything else I need to know about the concept. Thank you.
Only one sponsor of either gender is necessary. It is customary for those being baptized to have two, one of each gender, who are called "godparents". If only one is Catholic that person is considered the sponsor and the other godparent is a witness. They may be called by other names as well depending on the culture. In my area the godmother is typically called "na-nan" and the godfather is "parain".
Being a sponsor is more than a title or an honorary designation. The sponsor makes a pledge to be involved in the faith life of the newly baptized Christian throughout his or her life.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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jwashu
Member
| Joined: | Wed Apr 18th, 2007 |
| Location: | Arkansas USA |
| Posts: | 14 |
| First Name: | Joe | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Baptist, Presbyterian, starting RCIA |
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Posted: Thu Jul 26th, 2007 04:31 pm |
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Well being new to the Church we don't have a lot of friends yet that I'm close enough with to ask that really... but I will pray about it.
So basically we need a Sponsor for me, my wife and for each of the boys then 2 Godparent for Gabriel's Baptism.
So that's 6 people at least really...
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jwashu
Member
| Joined: | Wed Apr 18th, 2007 |
| Location: | Arkansas USA |
| Posts: | 14 |
| First Name: | Joe | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Baptist, Presbyterian, starting RCIA |
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Posted: Thu Jul 26th, 2007 04:36 pm |
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My other question though was can 1 person be a Godparent to more than 1 person.
Like could my best friend be Godfather to all three of my sons?
Joe
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5314 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Thu Jul 26th, 2007 05:46 pm |
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jwashu wrote: My other question though was can 1 person be a Godparent to more than 1 person.
Like could my best friend be Godfather to all three of my sons?
Only the baptized need godparents, but the answer to your question is yes. In fact, the same person can be sponsors for all of you. It is not preferred, but it is permitted under Church law. You should ask your parish priest about the rules in your diocese.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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jwashu
Member
| Joined: | Wed Apr 18th, 2007 |
| Location: | Arkansas USA |
| Posts: | 14 |
| First Name: | Joe | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Baptist, Presbyterian, starting RCIA |
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Posted: Thu Jul 26th, 2007 11:21 pm |
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Will do, thanks Rick!
Our main Pastor took a sudden sabatical and I'm not sure if he is coming back or not and our associate pastor is in Ireland for the next month. However we have 2 guest Priests that are actually from our local community coming home to visit. They are both fantastic and very vibrant Priests, perhaps I can get a chance to ask one of them.
Thanks!
Joe
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