On November 7th, 2015 the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton class met at Alemany High School, Mission Hills. Our next class will be November 21st at the same location. (Click here to read all of Jay and Candy’s Diaconate blogs!)
Today’s class was all about baptism! In the morning we had a presentation by Fr. Tinh Pham Professor at St. John’s Seminary and in the afternoon we had a presentation by Deacon Rick and Maureen Soria.
Fr. Tinh took us through the history of baptism from the time of Christ to the rite of today including infant baptism. He took us through the entire rite for the baptism for one child. He explained that there were parts of the rite that could be said in similar words and then there were parts of the rite that must be spoken exactly as it is in the Rite of Baptism for Children. He also explained where there were additional readings and prayers that could also be utilized.
Fr. Tinh was energetic and was able to take information that some may have found difficult to understand and take it to its very foundation and present it dynamically. The morning went by very fast.
After lunch Dcn. Rick and Maureen presented on how they prepare parents for the baptism of their child and the rite itself. They were able to take the words off the pages of the rite and present them in their parish setting.
As part of the experience, a number of us were asked to role play various types of parents that might attend to one of their baptism preparation meetings. Through this role playing were we able to see the type of questions and responses that might occur during a similar session at our own parishes. It was very enlightening. Again, before we knew it, the day had come to an end.
As we drove home after class, we were trying to figure out the excitement of the day. Yes, the presenters were excellent, but we didn’t think that was it. Finally, it came to us. Something that Fr. Tinh had said. This is one of only two sacraments that can be performed by a Deacon. A sacrament that we could do as a couple, dividing up those things that must be done by a Deacon (AKA Jay) and those that could by a Lay Person (AKA Candy).
As our year continues, we will be having practicums (or practices) where we will have to put an entire baptism together. Worship aid, music, lectors and the family of the child as well as the child (a doll) who will be baptized. Fortunately, most of our classmates will be able to fill these rolls.
If you have any questions about what we have experienced in the diaconate (aka “that deacon thing”), please ask us or send us an e-mail to gbmom_01_02@yahoo.com.
If you are interested in becoming a Deacon or a Deacon Couple for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, please contact:
Diaconate Formation Office
Archdiocese of Los Angeles
3424 Wilshire Boulevard, 2nd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90010-2241
213-637-7383
Candy & Jay Krueger,
Diaconate Formation, Year IV,
Holy Family Church, South Pasadena, CA