Thomas Becket. St. APRIL 29, 2018 Fifth Sunday of Easter

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1 St. APRIL 29, 2018 Fifth Sunday of Easter Thomas Becket MASS TIMES Saturday: 4:30pm Sunday: 9:00am & 12:30pm 7:30am & 10:45am Polish Weekdays: 9:00am Mass: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday Friday 7:00pm Mass in Polish PARISH PHONE NUMBER (847) PARISH PARISH STAFF Pastor: Rev. Chris Kulig Administrator: Rev. Curt Lambert Pastor Emeritus: Rev. John Roller Deacon Couple: Tony and Doreen Jannotta: (847) Administrative Assistant: Krystyna Maciorowski Parish Secretary / Bulletin Editor: Liz Mika: emika@stbmp.org Business Director: Patrick Reynolds: preynolds@stbmp.org Religious Education & Formation: Renata Sosin: (847) rsosin@stbmp.org Music Director: Paula Kowalkowski pkowalkowski@stbmp.org (847) Maintenance: Mariusz Klimek 1321 Burning Bush Lane Mt. Prospect, IL

2 Annual Calendar Meeting April 30 Our Parish s Annual Calendar Meeting will be on Monday, April 30th at 6:30pm in the rectory basement. All parish organizations and committees should have a representative present at this meeting. Nasze coroczne spotkanie kalendarzowe odbędzie się w poniedziałek, 30-go kwietnia o godz. 6:30 wieczorem. Wszystkie komitety i organizacje parafialne proszone są o wydelegowanie przedstawicieli na to spotkanie. GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY FOR ST. THOMAS BECKET!!! Our parish will celebrate 50 years as a faith community on September 28, 2019! A planning committee for all the upcoming events and festivities is now being formed. If you are interested in taking a key part in all the upcoming preparations, please come to a meeting on Tuesday, May 1st at 7pm in the parish hall. Złote Gody naszej parafii!! 28-my wrzesień 2019 roku znaczy 50-tą rocznicę pierwszej Mszy Św. jaka wspólnota wiary pod wezwaniem Św. Tomasza Becketa. Zapraszamy wszystkich chętnych, którzy pragną podjąć wiodącą rolę w planowaniu wszystkich uroczystości do przyłączenia się do komitetu organizacyjnego. Spotkanie odbędzie się we wtorek, 1-go maja o godz. 7pm. VETS VISIT ST. THOMAS MEN S CLUB In the past, St. Thomas Becket Men s Club hosted a poker party at the Lovell Federal Health Center in North Chicago. These men and women are in various stages of treatment for PTSD, substance abuse and other related issues. For the last four years, veterans have been invited to spend an evening in our church where pizza, soft drinks and dessert were served by members of our club. Tables were then prepared for poker and club members served as dealers and helped, as needed beginner players to learn and enjoy the game with seasoned veterans. Prizes were awarded for each table winner. Before departing a $200 donation was presented to the Lovell caregivers to be used for the benefit and welfare of our struggling veterans. For a few short hours, veterans were away from the health center, but the club members will long remeber this time as a HUMBLE and SATYSFYING EXPERIENCE while looking forward to next year s event. This year the veterans will be here on Monday, April 30th. Dave Mills The Spiritual Reading & Reflection of Fr. Henri Nouwen s book, HERE and NOW, Living in the Spirit, will meet weekly on Wednesdays in the church, after the 9:00am Mass. Books are available at the meeting. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Registration for 2018/2019 School Year Classes are on Wednesdays from 6:15 to 7:30pm at St. Emily s school and they are being formed for the school year now. Please register on-line: Rejestracja na Religie w roku szkolnym 2018/2019 Nasza parafia współpracuje z parafią Św. Emilli i oferuje klasy religii od pierwszej do ósmej. Zajęcia odbywają się w parafii Św. Emilii. Uczniowie z naszej parafii otrzymują sakramenty u Św. Tomasza Becketa. Klasy są w środy od 6:15 do 7:30pm i prosimy o rejestrowanie się już teraz na religiie w 2018/ Renata Sosin odpowiada na pytania: lub rsosin@stbmp.org. 2 l Welcome to St. Thomas Becket Catholic Parish Community

3 MAY CROWNING OF MARY Sunday, May 6th at the 9am Mass the St. Thomas Becket Women s Guild will participate in the annual crowning of Mary. Members will be assisting as: lector, ushers, gift bearers and Eucharistic Ministers. All Guild members are encouraged to attend. MAJÓWKI W miesiącu maju wierni swą uwagę poświęcają Matce Bożej. W każdy dzień maja od poniedziałku do soboty zapraszamy na godz. 6:30pm do kościoła na wspólną modlitwę. RÓŻA ŻYWEGO RÓŻAŃCA Wymiana tajemnic odbywa się w każdą pierwszą niedzielę miesiąca po Mszy Św. o godz 10:45am. Bardzo prosimy nie zapomnieć przynieść tajemnic na wymianę. Wszystkie pytania prosimy kierować do Beaty: TH ANNUAL MOTHER S DAY BAKE SALE Delicious homemade goodies will be sold after each Mass on the weekend of May 12/13. This a parish fundraiser so please buy a plate or two for mom or just for yourself!!! Baked donations will be accepted on Friday, May 11th from 5:30-8pm and on Saturday, May 12th from 4-7pm in the parish hall. We thank you in advance for your generosity. Hospitality in May will be cancelled due to this fundraiser. W weekend 13 maja Dzień Matki w USA w naszej parafii odbędzie się już 7-ma doroczna sprzedaż SŁODKICH TALERZY. Pyszne domowe wypieki będą dostępne po każdej Mszy Św. Kup talerz lub dwa dla swojej mamy albo dla siebie na deser! Bardzo prosimy o donacje wszelkich wypieków ciast i ciasteczek. Po naszych obfitych comiesięcznych poczęstunkach wiemy, że mamy wiele wspaniałych kucharek. Donacje będą przyjmowane w sali parafialnej: w piątek, 11-go maja pomiędzy 5:30pm i 8pm jak również w sobotę, 12-go maja pomiędzy 4pm i 7pm. Wszelkie pytania prosimy kierować do biura parafialnego: lub do Joli: UWAGA Poczęstunek w maju jest odwołany ze względu na sprzedaż słodkich talerzy. April 29, 2018 Fifth Sunday of Easter l 3

4 EASTER THANKS TO ALL!! THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO CONTRIBUTED TO MAKE OUR TRIDUUM AND EASTER SERVICES PRAYERFUL, BEAUTIFUL AND MEMORABLE! OUR MUSICIANS, CHOIRS, LECTORS, EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS, SERVERS, SACRISTANS, USHERS, CHILDREN, STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS SPENT MANY HOURS IN PRACTICE AND HARD WORK TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR CHURCH LOOKED WONDERFUL AND THAT EVERYONE FELT WELCOMED. GOD BLESS YOU FOR MAKING OUR CHURCH FEEL AND LOOK VERY SPECIAL DURING THIS MOST SPECIAL TIME OF THE YEAR. BÓG ZAPŁAĆ WSZYSTKIM, KTÓRZY PRZYCZYNILI SIĘ ABY NASZE WIELKANOCNE NABOŻEŃSTWA BYŁY TAK PODNIOSŁE, MODLITEWNE I PIĘKNE! NASI MUZYCY, CHÓRY, LEKTORZY, SZAFARZE, MINISTRANCI, ZAKRYSTIANIE, MARSZAŁKOWIE, DZIECI, PRACOWNICY PARAFIALNI I WIELU WOLUNTARIUSZY POŚWIĘCIŁO DUŻO CZASU NA PRÓBY I CIĘŻKĄ PRACĘ ABY NASZ KOŚCIÓŁ WYGLĄDAŁ WSPANIALE I ABY WSZYSCY CZULI TUTAJ ATMOSFERĘ ŚWIĄTECZNĄ. SERDECZNIE DZIĘKUJEMY. Liz (Elżbieta) Mika Pictures courtesy of: Maria Theisen and Dariusz Buchart 4 l Welcome to St. Thomas Becket Catholic Community

5 April 29, 2018 Fifth Sunday of Easter l 5

6 THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Thank you to everyone who donated towards our Easter flower collection. Our church looked wonderful during the Easter celebrations God bless! Serdeczne podziękowania składamy wszystkim, którzy ofiarowali na kwiaty do przystrojenia kościoła w okresie wielkanocnym. Nasz kościół wyglądał pięknie Bóg Zapłać! In memory of / ku czci pamięci: Clifford Nowak, Franciszek Nowak, Natalia Augustyńska, deceased from the Lach & Kulikowski family, Jack & Sylvia Colletti, Anna & Józef Kogut, Tolerancia Castaneda, Henry & Catherine Coco, Shelley Wisniewski, Leopold & Dionizy Łaniewski, Stefania Fita, Stefania i Michał Anczyk, Władysław Gunia, Ludmiła & Michał Długi, zmarli z rodziny Żurawskich i Lewandowskich, Krystyna & Franciszek Szerszeń, Adrienne Nagawiecki, Artur Kopeć, Kazimierz Szef, Meda & Ethler Jones, Kristin Heiden, Joseph & Sophie Ludtke, Julia & Adam Siepracki, Vera Campobasso, Stanisław Wasylewicz, Wallace & Margaret Robbins, Cesare & Lisetta Scaramella, Jan & Władysława Ambroz, Walter & Lillian Kolbus, Forrest & Elaine Hinchliffe, Irena & Tadeusz Waszer, Józefa Ostrowska, Clara & Earl Hassel, Ed & Marion Virant, Maria & Jan Magiera, Maria & Mieczysław Barszcz, Kasia First, Helena Majer, Dr. Jorge and Elaine Tovar, deceased from the Winiarski, Wagner and Motyka families, deceased from the Lewand & Sutor families, Josep Jabek, C.P. Wypasek, Paweł Palka, Ann Kavanaugh, Lydia Acevedo, Elizabeth Link, Casimer & Mary Pawelek, deceased from the Sweeney & McGrath families, Robert Jason, Józefa & Władysław Kiełbasa, zmarli z rodziny Sułkowskich, Smotrów i Kleniewskich, Józef i Jacek Olechno, Maria Koczwara, Niva Seymour, Ewa Kwieciński, Krystyna & Stefan Stoklosa, Stanisław Szot, Alex & Josephine Rembacz, Zofia & Eugeniusz Cetera Donations were made by / ofiary złożone przez: Ed & Judy Nowak, Stanislaw Nowak, Mary & Allan Kulikowski, Leo & Rose Fasolo, Jadwiga Nowak, Sahlee, Gloria Wisniewski, Janina Jakucewicz, Maria Chrabaszcz, Roman Anczyk, Anna Gunia, Józef Długi, Danuta & Kazimierz Kwak, Łucja Barzyk, Krystyna Lewandowska, Leszek & Zuzanna Walczak, Anna, Bożena & Adam Bielecki, Ray & Geri Karwoski, Barbara Szwalec, Zygmunt & Krystyna Bos, Bob & Mary Ludtke, Antoni Wiszowaty, Wojciech Gieroń, Maria Theisen, Nick Scalise, Leonard Campobasso, Renata Lechowicz, Michael Robbins, Grażyna Gawroński, Elaine & Thomas Hinchliffe, Gale Orr, A. Niemczynowska, Krystyna Białasiewicz, Marie & Ed Virant, Beata Kalita, Anna Barszcz, Elżbieta Kowalczyk, M.Z. Głowa, Sylwia Szejda, Zoe First, J. Nowak, Anna & Bogdan Skupień, W. Z. Zaremba, Pogorzelski, Czesława Kaczor, Maria Kutrumanes, Mary Ellen Motyka, Joe & Terry Lewand, Maria Jabek, Magdalena Palka, Debbie Hetzel, Daisy Kessler, Anna Kowalewska, Mira Link, Robert & Marianne Morse, Bill & Darlene McGrath, Pat Jason, Carlucci, Aleksander & Cecylia Wróbel, Beata Pawłowski, Andrzej & Jolanta Liro, Antonina Sułkowski, Piotr Olechno, Bodzon, Mike & Czesława Progress, Linda Conoscenti, Antonia Larsen, Lidia & Mitch Stoklosa, Urbanowicz, Scott & Kathy Swan, Mr & Mrs Dauer, William & Catherine Proksa, Agnieszka & Tomasz Bylica, John Keane, Małgorzata & Roman Pamuła, Halina Snopko, Bob & Gloria Konkey, Gene Surace 6 l Welcome to St. Thomas Becket Catholic Community

7 St. Thomas Becket Parish MANNA Please return completed form by May 6, Orders will be ready for pick up on the weekend of May 13, NAME Phone # Product % QTY Total Aeropostale 10% $ Amazon.com $ % $ Amazon.com $ % $ AMC Theatres Single Ticket $ % $ AMC Theatres American Eagle Outfitters Angelo Caputo's Market 10% $ 3% $ Apple itunes 5% $ Applebee's Banana Republic 14% $ Barnes & Noble Bath & Body Works 13% $ Bed Bath & Beyond 7% $ Best Buy 4% $ Binny's Beverage Depot 3% $ Bloomingdale's 12% $ BP $ % $ Buca di Beppo Buffalo Wild Wings Build-A-Bear Workshop Buona Beef $10.00 Burger King $ % $ Burlington Cheesecake Factory 5% $ Children's Place 12% $ Chili's Grill & Bar 11% $ Chipotle Mexican Grill 10% $ Claire's $ % $ Classic Cinemas $10.00 Product % QTY Total Columbia 12% $ Sportswear $50.00 Container Store 9% $ CVS Pharmacy 6% $ Dairy Queen $ % $ Darden Restaurants Dave & Buster's 13% $ Dick's Sporting Goods Disney 3% $ Dunkin' Donuts 3% $ $10.00 Dunkin' Donuts 3% $ Famous Footwear Fannie May Candies 25% $ $10.00 Foot Locker Gap 14% $ Golden Nugget Gordon Food Service Store % $ 4% $ Great Clips Hallmark 4% $ Home Depot % $ Home Depot 4% $ IHOP itunes $ % $ itunes 5% $ J. Crew 13% $ Jewel Osco $ % $ Jewel Osco 4% $ Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores 6% $ Kohl's $ % $ Kohl's 4% $ Lettuce Entertain 12% $ You Restaurants Loews Cineplex Lord & Taylor $25 Product Lowe's $ % $ Lowe's 4% $ Macy's 10% $ Mariano's 4% $ Meijer 3% $ Menards $ % $ Menards 3% $ Noodles & Comp $10 8% Oberweis $10.00 Olive Garden Outback Steakhouse P.F. Chang's China Bistro Panera Bread $10.00 PetSmart 5% $ Regis Salons Sam's Club $ % $ Sam's Club 2.5% $ Sam's Club $ % $ Sephora $25 5% $ Shell 2% $ Shell $ % $ Starbucks $ % $ Starbucks 7% $ Steak 'n Shake $10.00 T.J. Maxx/Marshalls/ HomeGoods Taco Bell $10 5% 7% $ Target 2.5% $ TGI Fridays 9% $ ULTA 4% $ Visa Five Back Gift Card $ % Walgreens $ % $ Walgreens 5% $ Walmart 2.5% $ Wendy's $ % $ Whole Foods Market % QTY Total $ 3% $ Make Checks Payable to: St. Thomas Becket # of cards TOTAL $ April 29, 2018 Fifth Sunday of Easter l 7

8 COMING UP THIS WEEK Sunday, April 29, 2018 MANNA order forms in bulletin Monday, April 30, pm Men s Club hosts veterans 6:30pm Calendar meeting Tuesday, May 1, pm Women s Guild Board meeting 6:30pm Majówka 7pm 50th anniversary of STB meeting Wednesday, May 2, :30am Book Club 6:30pm Majówka 7pm Men s Club Board meeting 7pm Choir Thursday, May 3, pm Polonia 6:30pm Majówka 7pm 1st Communion rehearsal Friday, May 4, :30am Adoration & Confession 6:30pm Majówka 7pm Mass (P) Saturday, May 5, pm Baptism (E) 5:30pm Youth Group meeting 6:30pm Majówka MANNA place orders Sunday, May 6, am May Crowning 11:45am Żywa Róża 12:30pm First Holy Communion 2:30pm First Holy Communion Wanda Rutkiewicz Polish School MANNA place orders MASS TIME MINISTRY SCHEDULE FOR May 5/6 PRESIDER MUSIC/ CANTOR 4:30pm Rev. Luke Paula K. Marie L. LECTOR EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS Mira L. Patti W. Fran G. Penni P. Debbie H. Mira L. 7:30am Rev. Luke Adam W. Marzena Z. Bernadetta B. Marzena Z. Adrian Z. Lucyna S. 9:00am Rev. Luke Paula K. Beverly H. Choir 10:45am Rev. Ed Panek 12:30pm Rev. Ed Panek Brian G. Mary L. Marlene P. Gail M. Edyta W. Marie V. Adam W. Wojciech G. Wojciech G. Beata K. Jan K. Paula K. Beverly H. SUNDAY OFFERING / KOLEKTA Each Sunday Budget $ 7,800 April 22 $ 6,259 April E-Give $ 3,091 YTD Budget $ 339,248 YTD Actual Collections $ 331,522 Lorry N. Helen B. Linda M. Michelle W. Second collection next weekend will be for the Building Fund. Druga kolekta w następny weekend przeznaczona będzie na utrzymanie budynków parafialnych. SACRISTAN Lee M. Lucyna S. JoRene A. Jan K. Linda W. 10-CIO DNIOWA WIELKOPOSTNA PIELGRZYMKA DO ZIEMI ŚWIĘTEJ Z KS. KRZYSZTOFEM KULIG I KS. ROBERTEM PAJOR MARZEC 11 do 20, 2019 Szczegóły na ulotkach umieszczonych w przedsionku kościoła lub w biurze parafialnym 10 day Lenten Pilgrimage to the Holy Land with Fr. Chris Kulig & Fr. Robert Pajor March 11-20, 2019 Detailed information can be found on the trip fliers in the lobby. 8 l Welcome to St. Thomas Becket Catholic Parish Community

9 MASS TIMES Saturday: 4:30pm Sunday: READINGS OF THE WEEK 9:00am & 12:30pm 7:30am & 10:45am Polish Weekdays: 9:00am Mass: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday Friday 7:00pm Mass in Polish Readings for the Week of April 29, 2018 Sunday: Acts 9:26-31/Ps 22:26-27, 28, 30, [26a]/1 Jn 3:18-24/Jn 15:1-8 Monday: Acts 14:5-18/Ps 115:1-2, 3-4, [1ab]/Jn 14:21-26 Tuesday: Acts 14:19-28/Ps 145:10-11, 12-13ab, 21 [cf. 12]/Jn 14:27-31a Wednesday: Acts 15:1-6/Ps 122:1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5 [cf. 1]/Jn 15:1-8 Thursday: 1 Cor 15:1-8/Ps 19:2-3, 4-5 [5]/ Jn 14:6-14 Friday: Acts 15:22-31/Ps 57:8-9, 10 and 12 [10a]/Jn 15:12-17 Saturday: Acts 16:1-10/Ps 100:1b-2, 3, 5/ Jn 15:18-21 Next Sunday: Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48/ Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4 [cf. 2b]/1 Jn 4:7-10/ Jn 15:9-17 Observances for the Week of April 29 Sunday: 5th Sunday of Easter Monday: St. Pius V, Pope Tuesday: St. Joseph the Worker Wednesday: St. Athanasius, Bishop & Doctor of the Church Thursday: ts. Philip and James, Apostles Saturday: Cinco de Mayo Next Sunday: 6th Sunday of Easter Domestic violence help WINGS 24 hr. Hotline and Counseling Services and Emergency Shelter (847) National Domestic Violence Hotline 24 hr. (800) National Dating Abuse Helpline (866) In an Emergency dial 911 Catholic Cemeteries: www:catholiccemeterieschicago.org Give Central On line donation system accessible through our website: PARISH PHONE NUMBER (847) PARISH FAX NUMBER (847) PARISH stthomasbecket@stbmp.org PARISH WEBSITE PARISH OFFICE HOURS Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/ Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm Thursday 8:00am - 2:00pm Saturday Closed Sunday Closed INFORMACJE PARAFIALNE Parafia Świętego Tomasza Becketa zaprasza całą wspólnotę polskojęzyczną do wspólnej modlitwy i nabożeństw. Msze Św. w jęz. polskim niedziela: 7:30am i 10:45am piątek: 7:00pm w jęz. angielskim sobota: 4:30pm niedziela: 9:00am i 12:30pm Parish Mission Statement We, the parish family of St. Thomas Becket, are a community of believers united in Christ, who dedicate ourselves to proclaim the Good News and foster a sense of belonging. As we gather together in prayer and worship, we draw our nourishment from His word and the Bread of His Table. With shared responsibility we go forth to serve and affirm our sisters and brothers. Guided by the Holy Spirit, we strive to build the Kingdom of God within and beyond our parish. My, Parafia Świętego Tomasza Becketa, jesteśmy wspólnotą wiernych zjednoczonych w Chrystusie, którzy troszczymy się o Boże dziedzictwo i z oddaniem głosimy Dobrą Nowinę. We wspólnym gromadzeniu się i modlitwie, karmimy się Jego Słowem i Chlebem z Jego Stołu. Z poczuciem wspólnego obowiązku podążamy w służbie naszym braciom i siostrom. Pod przewodnictwem Ducha Świętego dążymy do budowania Królestwa Bożego wewnątrz i poza naszą parafią. Sunday, April 29, :30am Mieczysław Stępień Kamil Jackowski Leonarda i Walerian Stanilewicz Leszek Damrat SPECIAL: Barbara i Stanisław 40-ta rocznica ślubu 9:00am Margaret Mary McCarthy Camille Chmela Krzysztof Kogut 10:45am Kathy Szkaradek Helena Matlag Grażyna Fudala Alina Zwolak SPECIAL: Adam Królikowski o zdrowie 12:30pm Patricia Laibly Joe Marabotti Monday, April 30, :00am Kamil Jackowski Krzysztof Kogut Tuesday, May 1, :00am Krzysztof Kogut Wednesday, May 2, :00am Estelle Weirich Krzysztof Kogut Thursday, May 3, 2018 NO MASS OR SERVICE Friday, May 4, :00am Ralph Brunke Krzysztof Kogut 7:00pm For STB parishioners Saturday, May 5, :30pm Margaret Konkey Helen Rey Krzysztof Kogut Geraldine Henry Sunday, May 6, :30am Romualda Zima Marian Zima Stanisław Stawczyk Anna Biedron Kamil Jackowski 9:00am Margaret Mary McCarthy Joseph & Wanda Cudak Lydia Acevedo Stefan Karas Camille Chmela 10:45am Stanisław Klosowski SPECIAL: Anna i rodzina - dziękczynna SPECIAL: Antonina podróż 12:30pm For our First Communicants April 29, 2018 Fifth Sunday of Easter l 9

10 To Register in Our Parish, for Baptisms & Weddings Please call the rectory to make arrangements: Sacrament of Penance Friday: 6:15pm-6:45pm, Saturday: 3:30-4:15pm. First Fridays of the month: 5:30pm-6:45pm and ADORATION: 5:30 6:45pm REJESTRACJA DO PARAFII, SAKRAMENT CHRZTU I MAŁŻEŃSTWA Prosimy o kontakt z biurem parafialnym w celu ustalenia daty: PreCana - przygotowanie do Sakramentu Małżeństwa - obowiązkowe. Kurs w języku polskim w naszej parafii odbędzie się w dniach: 26 styczeń i 6 kwiecień 2019r. SAKRAMENT POKUTY Piątek: 6:15pm-6:45pm i Sobota: 3:30pm- 4:15pm. PIERWSZE PIĄTKI MIESIĄCA Spowiedź i Adoracja Najświętszego Sakramentu: 5:30pm-6:45pm, Msza Św. w jęz. polskim: 7pm Vacation Bible School 2018 July 30 to August 3 9 am to 12 pm We invite students entering kindergarten through fifth grade in the fall to join us in Babylon for a great adventure. Students entering sixth grade and up, as well as adults, are welcome as guides. Check it all out at WHY DO WE DO THAT? CATHOLIC TRADITIONS EXPLAINED Question: My best friend is Lutheran and is a good Christian. I would like her to be my child's sponsor, but I'm wondering, does she have to be a practicing Catholic? Answer: The practice of two godparents for an infant's baptism goes back to the time when church law and civil law were one and the same in Europe. If anything did happen to the parents, the custody and well-being of the child became the responsibility of the godparents. Adult baptism required that one have a sponsor from the church who would act as a guide or mentor, in bringing the person to faith. Today, being a godparent has no legal implications. It is a spiritual matter. But at least one of the godparents must be a practicing Catholic. The other is called a Christian witness. This distinction recognizes the difference between faith and religion. A Christian can be a witness because of their relationship to God (faith), but the Catholic is a mentor in the practice of the religion. In any event, it is vital that parents give serious consideration to the people they choose to be a child's godparents. That choice should be based on practice of faith, solid moral character, and ability to give good example. Too often the choice is left to whose turn it is in the family, or to friends that parents wish to honor or acknowledge in some way. Your choice of godparents is the first lesson of faith you teach your child. Make it count! 10 l Welcome to St. Thomas Becket Catholic Parish Community