"This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

This weekend is the first Sunday of Ordinary Time. We inaugurate Ordinary Time by celebrating the Baptism of Our Lord. Before beginning his public ministry, Jesus was baptized. He considered Baptism so important that - even though he had no personal sins - he nevertheless submitted to the baptism of John. Our Discussion Questions for January 9, 2011 will guide your Online Sunday Bible Study sessions with your family, friends and church groups.

Homiletics for Sunday

This week, our editorial staff is taking a much-anticipated few days off. Nevertheless, they have still prepared for you a wonderful compilation of homilies and articles specifically related the the Baptism of our Lord - and to Catholic baptism in general.

In this week's email edition, you will not find our usual narrative that strings together the dirfferent homilies and related articles for the week. Instead, we will be giving you several links where you can find them. We will back with our usual narrative summary next week when we get back from vacation.

If your parish is one of those serviced by our ministry, you will find the homilies for Sunday by going to the "Knowing our Faith" section of your own parish website.

If your parish is not one of those being serviced by the ParishWorld ministry, please click here to view the homilies for Sunday.

The Catholic Sacrament of Baptism

Christians are born through the Sacrament of Baptism, that is, through baptism we are born as "other Christs." Christ has no body now but the baptized. The baptized are the body of Christ, the people of God, the Church. Here are some links that can help you better understand this very important sacrament:

Baptism: Initiation, Call and Commissioning
Why do Catholics baptize infants? 
What is the Old Testament root of the Sacrament of Baptism?
Rediscovering Our Baptism
Baptism: the door to the Church and the gateway to salvation
Godparents and Sponsors: What Is Expected of Them Today?

A Blessed 2014 to All

The past year we saw a most eventful 2013 in our Catholic world. May we all look forward to a prayerful  2014. The ParishWorld staff wish you all a most happy and blessed new year.

Keep the Faith. Peace.

Wally Arida
Publisher & Editor in chief

BURNING QUESTION: Why do Catholics baptize their infants?
FEATURED BLOG: 12 Things I Wish I Knew at 25
PASTORAL HISPANA: El Bautismo de Jesus lo anima a iniciar su vida publica

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