Bridget Mary's Blog: Baptism of Chance Paul Reinheimer on April 12, 2021 in Sarasota, Florida at his Grandparents Home with Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP

The baptism of Chance Paul Reinheimer took place in the home of his grandparents, Paul and Pearl Miller in Sarasota, Florida.

Fred, Chance Paul's father held his son in his arms while Julia, his mother, poured the water over her son's head and anointed him with chrism oil as Bridget Mary Meehan prayed the baptismal ritual prayers.

Catholic theology teaches that the people of God, the Body of Christ have a right to celebrate sacraments, and that all the baptized are a priestly and prophetic people, not just the ordained. See the movies, photos and ritual below.

Special thanks to Mary Theresa Streck for taking the photos and movies of the baptism.

Baptism of Chance Paul Reinheimer, April 12, 2021, Sarasota, Florida Ceremony

BMM: From the first moment of our existence and all through our lives each of us is the beloved of God called to reflect the divine presence in our world. In Baptism we celebrate our sacred initiation into a community of faith that supports us on our spiritual journey.

BMM: (to the parents) Julia and Fred, what do you ask of this Christian Community?

Julia and Fred: We ask that our son Chance Paul be welcomed into the Christian community through the sacrament of Baptism.

BMM: By asking for Baptism within the Christian community, you are promising to teach Chance Paul to live justly, to love tenderly and to walk with integrity for all to see and celebrate. You are promising to teach him about his brother, Jesus and his message of love. Do you promise to do this to the best of your ability?

Julie and Fred: We do.

BMM: (to the godparents) Pearl and Paul, (standing in for Godparents Britany Mellott and Daniel Reinheimer Jr.) do you promise to help Julia and Fred as they teach Chance Paul about God, the Creator of All Life and about Jesus, our brother?

Godparents: We do.

BMM: In the name of Jesus, we choose you, Chance Paul , for baptism.
All: Thanks be to God. (Applause)

RITE OF BAPTISM
BMM: We are now going to baptize Chance Paul. We invite Chance Paul , parents and godparents to come forward to the baptismal font.

BMM : We now begin the baptismal ritual with a blessing of the water and the oil. After the resurrection, the disciples of Jesus celebrated baptism in water and the Spirit with those who answered Your call to holiness. From age to age, oil has been used to anoint the priests, prophets, leaders and visionaries.

BMM: (to all present - Please extend your hands in blessing the water and oil.) O Holy One, you call us to be co-creators of a world filled with blessing and abundance. As co-creators with you, we bless this water and oil as a symbol of your grace-filled presence in our lives. (pause)

Baptismal Promises: (Parents and godparents you are invited to light the Baptismal candle.)

BMM: In this part of the baptismal ritual, Julia and Fred make baptismal promises for Chance Paul. I invite everyone to renew their baptismal promises and respond “I do” to each of the following questions:

Do you promise to see what is good for your sisters and brothers everywhere, rejecting injustice and inequity, living with the freedom and responsibility of children of God?

All: I do.

BMM: Do you promise to work for the realization of God’s vision of harmony and right relations among all peoples, rejecting the idols of money, property, color, sex and position?

All: I do.

BMM: Do you promise to seek peace and live in peace in one human family, rejecting prejudice and half-heartedness in every form, and all barriers to unity?

All: I do.

BMM: Do you promise to cherish the universe, and this precious planet, working creatively to renew and safeguard the elemental sacraments of air, earth, water and fire?

All: I do.

BMM: Do you believe in God, the Source of all life, in Jesus, our brother who loved and lived among us so that all might live with abundant fullness; in the Spirit who continues the work of forgiveness and reconciliation, birthing and blessing, challenge and hope, so that together we can continue the work of creation?

All: I do.

Pouring of Water (as Godparents hold Chance Paul over the baptismal font and as Julia and Fred pours water over Chance Paul’s head)

BMM: We baptize you, Chance Paul
In the name of God, Father and Mother, Source of all life, in the name of God’s Son, Jesus, the Christ, and in the name of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Anointing with Oil (as Julia anoints Chance Paul’s forehead)
BMM: Chance Paul, you were conceived in love and welcomed to life with love. We anoint you with this oil in recognition that human love is sacred, that you are sacred.

Presentation of white garment (as Fred places white garment on Chance Paul)

BMM: Chance Paul, we present you with this stole. May it remind you that you carry in the depths of your being the Spirit of Life and Love itself.

Lighting Candle (as Pearl lights Chance Paul’s candle)