Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

Springfield, IL

  • About
    • Register with Cathedral
    • Subscribe to the Weekly Eblast
    • Cathedral Weekly
    • History of the Cathedral
    • Mass & Reconciliation Schedules
    • Parish Staff
    • Cathedral Online Prayer Wall
    • Contact Us
    • Announcements
  • Sacraments
    • Becoming Catholic
    • Vocations
  • Ministry List
    • Advent Resources
    • Ministry List
    • Adult Faith Formation
    • Cathedral Concerts
    • Family of Faith
    • Grief Share
    • Holy Mass Livestreams
    • Spiritual Resources
  • Stewardship
    • Stewardship Form
    • Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response
  • Support
    • Give Online
    • E-Giving Frequently Asked Questions
  • Sunday News
    • Cathedral Weekly
    • Sunday Announcements
    • Mass Intentions
    • Weekly or Announcement Submission

The Gift of Godparents

One of the beautiful liturgies that the Church gives to us is the liturgy of baptism. This ceremony, in which the newborn baby is spiritually adopted as a child of God, also gives expression to the expectation of the parents to raise their children in the faith. In fact, this can even be seen in the Sacrament of Matrimony, when the priest asks the couple, “Are you prepared to accept children lovingly from God and to bring them up according to the law of Christ and his Church?” This commitment to teach children the faith and evangelize them is expressed at this moment of great love in the wedding ceremony. The vow to love one’s spouse unconditionally expresses what kind of family in which children should be nurtured.

The liturgy of baptism makes this even more explicit, when the baptizing minister says to the parents, “In asking for Baptism for your child, you are undertaking the responsibility of raising him/her in the faith, so that, keeping God’s commandments, he/she may love the Lord and his/her neighbor as Christ taught us. Do you understand this responsibility?” In addition, the minister asks the Godparents, “Are you ready to help the parents of this child in their duty?” In some ways, the role of Godparent has become simply a ceremonial or honorary role in our culture, like being a bridesmaid at a wedding. It is true that it is a great honor to be a godparent to a newly baptized member of the Church. However, the Church envisions that Godparents play a vital role in the upbringing of our little Catholics in the faith. 

Godparents can support the parents in encouraging them to bring aspects of faith into their home life and in their travels. When children get to adolescence, it can be hard for them to receive formation in the faith from their parents, because of the stage of life that they are in. However, Godparents can play a crucial role in this time of formation. Being a little more removed from the immediate family, they can continue to foster the life of faith even when the relationship between parents and children is not perfect. Godparents should be included in events celebrating milestones in a child’s life of faith, especially Confirmation, first Eucharist, one’s wedding day, and even milestones like birthdays and graduations. The Church knows that young Christians need as much support from family and friends as they can get. Godparents witnessing to the life of faith is a great way of making this a reality. 

❮❮ Previous Post
Next Post ❯ ❯

Receive Cathedral e-news!

* indicates required



/

( mm / dd )


Liturgy

Sunday Masses (unless noted differently in weekly bulletin)
Saturday Evening Vigil – 4:00PM
Sunday – 7:00AM, 10:00AM and 5:00PM

Weekday Masses (unless noted differently in weekly bulletin)
Monday thru Friday – 7:00AM and 5:15PM
Saturday – 8:00AM

Reconciliation (Confessions)
Monday thru Friday – 4:15PM to 5:00PM

Saturday – 9:00AM to 10:00AM and 2:30PM to 3:30PM

Sunday – 4:00PM to 4:45PM

 

CatholicMassTime.org

Parish Information

Parish Address
524 East Lawrence Avenue
Springfield, Illinois 62703

Parish Phone
(217) 522-3342

Parish FAX
(217) 210-0136

Contact Us

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Copyright © 2021 · Log in