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ckempston
Guest
I did. Thanks.
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ckempston
Guest
Not really. I’m guessing the number of infant baptisms closely parallels the number of infants.
What I’m trying to figure out is what kind of significance this number should really have. Since infants don’t have a choice in the matter, if the number included a large percentage of infants, then it would be a lot less impressive. Someone pointed out that infant baptisms aren’t really considered “conversions” so that clarifies things a bit.
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Pixie_Dust
Guest
Even in a family of converts, I don’t believe the infant would be baptized at the Easter Vigil. I’m doing some research.
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bklynbrat
Guest
Let us know what you find. I was just taking a guess that there would be some infants involved too. Thank you.
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puzzleannie
Guest
yes if an entire family is entering the Church at the Easter Vigil, any infants (children under age 7) will be baptized at the same time. They will not be confirmed and receive first communion however, but will be catechized and celebrate at the age set in their diocese for the Catholic peers.
the figures for how many will be entering the Church at Easter come from the reporting done by parishes to their dioceses at the beginning of Lent, on those who participated in the Rite of Election (for the unbaptized) or the Call to Continuing Conversion (for baptized non-Catholic candidates). Infants are not counted in that statistic.
OP was not boasting, merely commenting, so it is inaccurate to ascribe a motive where none was stated.
we have 1 child, 2 teens and 4 adults for baptism and full initiation this year, 3 children and one adult for profession of faith and full communion. One family of 4, and another family of 2 siblings is included here. Both families have already had their infants baptized. This is more adults, but fewer children, then we have had in the past. In my time here (9 years) we have baptized only 2 adults previously, but usually have 10-12 school age children each year. this is a medium size parish in a small diocese.
What the figures do not show is how many of these new Catholics are from a family background that is culturally Catholic, yet parents are bringing their children “late” to baptism and the other sacraments. This comprises half or more of those brought into the Church at Easter in this Diocese. I don’t know if this reflects the reality of the Mexican culture that dominates here, but other “RCIA folks” around the country tell me this trend is noticeable everywhere.
as always in such discussions we have to remember the Church in the US, or any one diocese, is not the only indicator of how the Church worldwide is doing in any area. One US diocese that did an all out campaign to bring Catholics back reports 92,000 reverts, for instance, and another parish in this diocese has over 60 people entering the Church at Easter because they have an active, intensive evangelization effort in their missions and colonias.
again I am somewhat puzzled by the choice of forum, and if there is a specific issue of relevance to non-Catholics that I have not addressed, I apologize
the figures for how many will be entering the Church at Easter come from the reporting done by parishes to their dioceses at the beginning of Lent, on those who participated in the Rite of Election (for the unbaptized) or the Call to Continuing Conversion (for baptized non-Catholic candidates). Infants are not counted in that statistic.
OP was not boasting, merely commenting, so it is inaccurate to ascribe a motive where none was stated.
we have 1 child, 2 teens and 4 adults for baptism and full initiation this year, 3 children and one adult for profession of faith and full communion. One family of 4, and another family of 2 siblings is included here. Both families have already had their infants baptized. This is more adults, but fewer children, then we have had in the past. In my time here (9 years) we have baptized only 2 adults previously, but usually have 10-12 school age children each year. this is a medium size parish in a small diocese.
What the figures do not show is how many of these new Catholics are from a family background that is culturally Catholic, yet parents are bringing their children “late” to baptism and the other sacraments. This comprises half or more of those brought into the Church at Easter in this Diocese. I don’t know if this reflects the reality of the Mexican culture that dominates here, but other “RCIA folks” around the country tell me this trend is noticeable everywhere.
as always in such discussions we have to remember the Church in the US, or any one diocese, is not the only indicator of how the Church worldwide is doing in any area. One US diocese that did an all out campaign to bring Catholics back reports 92,000 reverts, for instance, and another parish in this diocese has over 60 people entering the Church at Easter because they have an active, intensive evangelization effort in their missions and colonias.
again I am somewhat puzzled by the choice of forum, and if there is a specific issue of relevance to non-Catholics that I have not addressed, I apologize
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Pixie_Dust
Guest
Thank you!
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sdelane2
Guest
I am one of those converts this year, and, to answer the original question, I did not come from any sort of Protestant Church. My fiance and I were both atheists. He is now converting, as well, and we’ve never been happier. Those of you who are inclined to do so, please pray for us. Saturday is going to be one of the happiest days of our lives!!
Another side note – your posts sound awefully negative. Perhaps you all can lighten it up a bit.
Another side note – your posts sound awefully negative. Perhaps you all can lighten it up a bit.
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ConfusedTim
Guest
again I am somewhat puzzled by the choice of forum, and if there is a specific issue of relevance to non-Catholics that I have not addressed, I apologize
The reason for posting on this forum is because converts start off as non Catholic and one of the things i wanted to see was where are they coming from and why might this be the case.
The reason for posting on this forum is because converts start off as non Catholic and one of the things i wanted to see was where are they coming from and why might this be the case.
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mardukm
Guest
Dear sister puzzleannie,
Anyway, just FYI, in the Eastern and Oriental Catholic Churches, infants are traditionally baptized, chrismated (confirmed) and receive First Communion all at once.
Blessings,
Marduk
I could have sworn you were Eastern Catholic a few years back. I’m probably thinking of someone else.
Anyway, just FYI, in the Eastern and Oriental Catholic Churches, infants are traditionally baptized, chrismated (confirmed) and receive First Communion all at once.
Blessings,
Marduk
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Peter_J
Guest
Ah … I was a little confused until you said that. Thank you for clarifying.
I’m guessing that you meant to say “0.3%”? (You’re not claiming that there are only 5 millions US Catholics, are you?
)
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Pixie_Dust
Guest
I think it might be a more accurate count of faithful, practicing, non-cafeteria Catholics, yes.I’m guessing that you meant to say “0.3%”? (You’re not claiming that there are only 5 millions US Catholics, are you?
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OneTrueCathApos
Guest
ckempston, give it a break, accept it and move on.
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NDfan
Guest
Seems to be a mix of unbaptized individuals and those changing their affiliation.
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ckempston
Guest
Why would I do a thing like that? The topic invites a lot of criticism. Besides the fact that Catholics “save up” conversions for Easter, as if one day is better than any other to be baptized, the information was in need of clarification. As someone who comes from a movement with a very performance/numbers focused background, I’m naturally skeptical when someone starts throwing around big numbers as evidence of how great things are going.
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CHESTERTONRULES
Guest
It is even more impressive given that it is not merely a matter of signing up.
These converts have participated in months of RCIA classes and reached the conclusion that Catholicism is true.
Catholic converts know what they are doing and why.
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OneTrueCathApos
Guest
Why in the world would this topic invite a lot of criticism? Maybe from you? These people are converting on their own free will, that they know and found out about the Catholic church in which Christ established. Something is pulling them toward the church and that something is truth.
Although people try to avoid the hard and doctrinal and moral truths the CC offers them because **hard truths demand that lives be changed. **
When they contemplate the history of the Catholic church and the lives of the saints, they realize there must be something special, maybe something supernatural, about an institution that can produce people such as At. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, and Mother Teresa.
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CHESTERTONRULES
Guest
Including Newt Gingrich!
Conservative author and former House speaker Newt Gingrich will
celebrate the Easter season this year in a very special way – by
converting to Roman Catholicism.
“I have become increasingly drawn to Catholicism over the past
several years while attending Mass with my wife, Callista,” Gingrich
tells Newsmax. “ After prayer and reflection, I believe this is where
God has led me. I’m looking forward with great joy to being received
into full communion with the Catholic Church.”
Rumors of the religious conversion began circulating last month
when Gingrich, a Baptist since college, told The New York Times that he
had been exploring a reaffirmation of the role of religion in public
life and found himself increasingly attracted to his wife’s Roman
Catholic faith.
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ckempston
Guest
I gave you a reason in my reply: Catholics “save up” conversions for Easter. How long did conversions take in the Bible?
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ckempston
Guest
I wonder if Newt will be Baptized since Baptists don’t practice valid baptism according to Catholicism?
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Peter_J
Guest
Don’t believe everything you read, ckempston. The Catholic Church has never made a blanket statement that Baptists are not validly baptized.
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