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ONLINE BAPTISMAL PREPARATION
- If you haven't already, please fill out our online Baptismal Registration Form for Good Shepherd Parish.
  
  We are excited to assist you in preparing you for your child’s Baptism!
  
  In order that you may be fully prepared for the Sacrament of Baptism for your child(ren), we are asking you to explore and complete the steps below.
  
  What is different during COVID-19 at Good Shepherd Parish?
  
  Each family is limited to 10 guests (which does not include the parents, child(ren) to be baptised, and godparents).
  
  It is the responsibility of the parents to ensure that everyone invited understands that they cannot attend if they have symptoms of COVID-19, have a fever, have been out of the country in the last 14 days, or have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19.
  
  Everyone in attendance over the age of 2 must wear a mask over the nose and mouth.
  
  A list with the names and phone numbers of those invited needs to be emailed to Christa at cmailloux@dol.ca 1 week prior to Baptism.
  
  If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact Christa Mailloux, Baptism Coordinator at 519-728-3381 x231 or cmailloux@dol.ca.
- Which parish are you from?
  
  Good Shepherd Parish, Lakeshore: Follow the 4 steps below, including submitting the form to let us know you've chatted.
  St. Anthony of Padua, Buffalo NY: Follow the first 3 steps below. Step 4 only applies to those celebrating a Baptism at Good Shepherd Parish.
STEP 1: Starting point videos
- Watch 3 videos
  
  These are not your great grandma’s baptismal preparation videos. Short, entertaining, relevant, inspiring, surprising, engaging, thought-provoking, educational—is that enough adjectives for you? These three videos will get you thinking differently about parenting, Baptism, and your family’s future!
  
  Follow along with the quesitons below in Step 2 and talk with your partner as you watch the videos.
  
  Please click here to watch the 3 videos: Delivery Room, Soul Bath, and Letters.
STEP 2: TALK TOGETHER ABOUT YOUR PLANS
- Talk with your partner
  
  As you watch each of these videos, take some time with your spouse/partner to discuss these questions. This is not a make-work project. This is a chance to sit down with your partner and really talk about what you want for your child(ren)!
  
  Before Watching:
  
  Why do you want to have your child Baptized?
  
  How did you choose your child’s name?
  
  After Video 1 Delivery Room:
  God has a dream for each one of us. He wants a real relationship with you and your child(ren). Grab your phone or a piece of paper and take a moment to independently write down your answers.
  
  What surprised you most about this video?
  
  What spiritual habits are important to you?
  
  Are there any traditions you want to establish around holidays, birthdays, etc.? Why is this important to you?
  
  Ok good. Now, share your answers with your partner. :-)
  
  After Video 2 Soul Bath:
  After watching the second video take a moment to discuss the following with your partner:
  
  What part of the Baptism excites you the most?
  
  Think about your godparents: Did they have an active role in your life? In your faith journey?
  
  How important is it that your child(ren)’s godparents are active in his or her life? In his or her faith journey?
  
  After Video 3 Letters:
  Grab your phones and find the photos you took on the day your child was born. Talk with each other... what was it like that day? What were your feelings? Share what it was like when you first saw your child's face. What are your feelings, your dreams, your hopes for him or her now? Share with each... What kind of parent do you hope you will be for him or her?
- let us know after
  you've chatted
  
  The maximum number of form submissions has been reached. This form is currently not available.
  
  We hope you had a chance to have a good conversation.
  
  For those preparing for Baptism at Good Shephed Parish, after you've watched the videos and talked about the questions together, fill out this form to let us know. Our Pastoral Minister will give you a call to see how your doing, find out what you liked about the videos, and arrange a Zoom meeting to talk about next steps.
  
  For those preparing for Baptism at St. Anthony of Padua in Buffalo NY, do not use this form. Click here instead to submit a confirmation form to your parish. Then head back here for Step 3.
  
  First Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Last Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Email REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter an email address.
  
  Phone Number REQUIRED Maximum 20 characters Please fill out this field. Please enter a phone number.
  
  We've watched the videos and had a good conversation about our plans for our child.
  All Set Please select this field.
  
  Submit
  
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Step 3: Godparents
- Who can be a Godparent?
  
  Since Godparents take on two roles — that of support for the parents in the Catholic upbringing of their child(ren), and that of representing the Christian community into which the child(ren) is/are being initiated — they must be practicing Catholics (received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist) and are over the age of 16.
  
  What if the person I want as a Godparent isn’t Catholic?
  
  A person who is baptized in a Christian faith may serve as a Christian witness along with the Catholic Godparent. This person needs to be Baptized in a Christian faith and be over the age of 16. During the Baptism, a Christian witness performs all the parts of the ceremony that a godparent does. His or her name will be entered into the Sacrament Record Book as a “Christian witness”, together with the name of the Godparent.
- too many godparents?
  
  For some families, picking only 2 people to be Godparents or Christian witnesses might put you in an awkward position of making someone not selected upset. If you have other people involved in your child(ren)'s life/lives, consider asking them to help in other ways... like taking photos before or after Mass, organizing a celeberation, or helping you as a back-up babysitter. Everyone is welcome as part of this special celeberation!
STEP 4: WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON THE DAY
at good shepherd parish?
- ARRIVAL
  
  Please arrive at the front doors 20 mins prior to your child(ren)’s baptism, everyone will need to be screened.
  
  Everyone in attendance over the age of 2 must wear a mask over the nose and mouth.
  
  Please sanitize your hands using the automatic dispensers inside the door.
  
  Once the Baptism has taken place, a family photo will be taken at the altar. Masks will remain on for this picture You and your family can then exit the church.
- PHOTOS
  
  Good Shepherd Parish Community welcomes your child with great joy!
  Because of time limitations, we suggest having a family member take a few photos for you.
  
  Please allow us to take a photo of your family and the Priest for our Baptismal Board.
  
  We also post these photos to our Facebook & Instagram. Don't worry, we don’t post your child(ren)'s last name.
- Don't Stress!
  
  Don’t worry about making a mistake. You can’t. We will lead you through the whole process on the day of. We want your child(ren)’s Baptism to be a wonderful experience for you and your family.
  
  Babies cry you know. We know too. Babies cry. Young children don’t always stand still. That’s okay. Our parish loves hearing the sounds of babies and young people! All ages are welcome here.

We are excited to assist you in preparing you for your child’s Baptism!

Who can be a Godparent?

What if the person I want as a Godparent isn’t Catholic?