ON THE COVER: Rose Window: Sister Moon by Elizabeth Devereaux won Best of Show in ML's Visual Arts Awards Art Glass competition. For details about this piece and other winners, click here.

From Inside ML: "Do you reject sin so as to live in the freedom of God’s children?" How easily and confidently we respond to that ritual question. One of the attributes distinguishing us as a Catholic Christian people at prayer is our ritual dialogue (or at least it will be until our Missal changes again). We know that the “correct” response to this question is “I do.” We believe that the faithful way to respond is boldly, with certain knowledge that we have been redeemed. While gathered around font and table, our courage comes from voices raised as one. Still, carrying that conviction out into the world demands much of us. Opportunities for embracing sin abound in our world, and simply avoiding sin is not enough. We are called to actively reject that which seeks to disrupt our relationship with God and with each other, to cast out everything that tears at the fabric of our community in Christ. We not only choose to reject sin in our own lives, but we also dedicate ourselves to the rejection of sin in the world. This is the basis of our social conscience. This cannot be separated from liturgy, and it cannot be ignored in our personal lives. To remain silent is not a rejection of sin and, in fact, may prevent us from living in the freedom of God’s children. We are called in baptism to be living examples of the freedom promised us when we commit willingly to lives worthy of that call. “Baptism is the sacrament by which men and women are incorporated into the Church, built into a house where God lives, in the Spirit, into a holy nation and a royal priesthood. It is a sacramental bond of unity linking all who have been signed by it (Rite of Baptism for Children, General Introduction 4). In that unity we find the power to renounce sin and profess faith by living in a vibrantly Christian way. (More)

FEATURES

What do you ask of God's church? Forming parents and communities for infant baptism 
Mary Ann Paulukonis 
A baptismal spirituality

A companion for the journey 
David E. Fedor 
The role of godparents

Rooted and grounded in love 
Patricia A. Parachini 
Priesthood of the faithful

About my father's business 
Ron Raab 
A baptismal life

DEPARTMENTS

• Inside ML / Donna M. Cole
• Worship Times / Todd Flowerday
• Liturgy Formation: Baptism of the Lord–7th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2009 / Kay Murdy, Matt Reichert
• The Word Alive / Anne Louise Bannon
• Sung Prayer / David Haas
• Keeping the Faith / Leisa Anslinger
• At the Table of the Word / Bruce Janiga
• Moving Rite Along / Ada Simpson
• Bridge Work / Ron Raab
• Bulletin Insert: Parent Questions / Paul Turner

Bulletin Insert: Thanksgiving Day / Paul Turner

For more bulletin insert resources, try the Index of Bulletin Inserts

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