Q: Got a question in the mail that you can answer better. A child baptized Methodist whose family returned to Catholic Church recently. My guess is that his baptism should be recorded like a Catholic one in the parish register but note the place and Methodist church of baptism. I don’t think a formal profession of faith would be needed when he comes of age of reason, but simple catechesis for reconciliation and Communion like any other Catholic child. But let me know if more needs to be done. === A: The parents make a declaration to the priest that …
Baptism question
Q: I received a call this morning from a gentleman who said he and his wife had been told their in utero baby had been diagnosed with Turner’s Syndrome and that it was not expected to live to term. If the child is born alive, ought it be baptized (I would say “yes” if it brings comfort to the parents but “no” as a soteriological necessity)? If the child is stillborn should it be baptized (I would say definitely not)? Ought the child be given a funeral (I would “yes” and to the extent the parents wish)? Do you have …
Extending hands
Q: My congregation has the custom of having everyone extend hands in blessing over someone who is being blessed. But they also do it during Confirmation, when the presider is calling down the Spirit on the Confirmands. Any comments? A: I can’t point to any rubrics that allow for everyone to extend hands. But then it’s hard to find rubrics that expressly forbid it. If it’s a custom, I’d probably not make a big deal out of it. Another solution is not to invite it, but let it go if it happens. The Vatican did ask the faithful not to …
Rite of Reception
Q: We have a person in RCIA who was baptized a Catholic but confirmed in the Lutheran Church. Do we use the Rite of Reception of Validly Baptized Christians into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church for him? A: No, his baptism is a Catholic baptism. If he wishes to be confirmed in the Catholic Church, the bishop is the ordinary minister. But the bishop may give the pastor permission to confirm him at the Easter Vigil or at some other time. If the person or the bishop wishes to have the bishop do the confirmation, you may proceed …
Marriage question
Q: My daughter recently got married. I wanted the priest to process in just like a Sunday mass. The wedding coordinator was adamant that it was not correct. Can you explain what the a wedding entrance should look like and liturgically why. We also had the brides godparents and confirmation sponsor bring up the gifts . I wanted her to split the bread into two Ciborias but she wanted to have one carry the chalice up at the offertory. Our priest of course said no, I’d like to explain to her why it was not correct. Thank you. A: Congratulations …
Sequence of sacraments of initiation
Q: I have a woman who just moved here with her son from Mexico. As you know, in Mexico they make their confirmation before the first communion. She has presented a letter to me from their pastor that the child is prepared to receive both sacraments. What should be done? Do I ask to confirm him with the to be baptized at the Easter Vigil? Thank you for your thoughts. A: Probably so. You need the permission of your bishop to do this because the child was baptized Catholic as an infant. I think if you explain the case to …
Call to Continuing Conversion
Q: Do baptized Catholics come to the “Call to Continuing Conversion”? We do the combined Rite of Election/Call to Continuing Conversion, and the white RCIA study edition seems to indicate that baptized Catholics are included. see par. 411 and par. 547. Thank you. A: They may be included, yes – if they have been baptized but have not received confirmation nor first communion. Then they are eligible.
Rite of Reception
Q: Just wondering if there needs to be a “sponsor” or “witness for the reception of a minor child? I have a child at my parish who is hoping to receive first communion, but she was baptized Episcopal. It seems that the parents make the profession of faith for the girl – or state that they wish her to be known as Catholic. A related, but a distinct question: What about for someone in grade 8 who is baptized Methodist – and hopes to be confirmed in March this year at my parish? (I am facing this, too.) His parents are Catholic but had the child baptized …
Easter Vigil Rubrics
Q: I am trying to make sense of Rubrics 49 – 53 in the Easter Vigil. The rubrics use the terms “infants”, “children” and “adults.” We will be baptizing children ranging in age from first grade to 7th grade. No infants will be baptized. Pastorally, because of relative immaturity, I intend to treat the younger children as “infants”, expecting that the parents and godparents will carry the responsibility of the Profession of Faith, with the children’s participation, if they are able. Similarly, it seems to make pastoral sense to treat the older children as adults, questioning them directly about …
Seasonal limitations
Q: What sacrament celebrations can / cannot / should not take place during Advent and Lent. Couldn’t find the exact information… Is the following accurate? SEASONAL LIMITATIONS: Advent: no Gloria, keep Alleluia; no Confirmations; Discourage baptisms, marriages and First Communions Lent: No Gloria, no Alleluia (substitute choice from # 223 in the Lectionary); discourage baptisms, marriages; no Confirmations, no First Communions Can you help us? A: The rule for the Gloria is in GIRM 53 – said on Sundays outside of Advent and Lent. The rule for no Alleluia during Lent is in GIRM 62b. Baptisms and confirmations may not be celebrated …