Baptism
Photo courtesy of Clip Art
Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: “Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word.”
— The Catechism of the Catholic Church
The birth of a child for a family is a cause for great celebration. It is a time of joy and nervous anticipation as we welcome this new life into our families and plan for the future together with our new born. The addition of a new family member forever changes the family as we come to understand the gifts and talents this newest member brings to our family.
The Church in her wisdom recognizes the value of the individual from the moment of conception to the moment of death. It rejoices in the life of all individuals understanding how each person’s gifts and talents build the Body of Christ and create the community we recognize as Church.
When we come together as the community of God to worship, we celebrate the unique gifts and talents that we contribute to our families and the larger Church community. When we gather at the Table of the Lord every Sunday, we come as individuals that together become the Body of Christ. We are members of the Body of Christ with Jesus as our head. The Eucharist is where we best realize the fact of being one body in Christ Jesus. Baptism is our invitation to participate at the table, our first step to complete participation in the life of the Church. The sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist therefore are linked and define us as Catholic Christians; they initiate us into the mystery of the Church.
This relationship calls us to celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism with the utmost importance never relegating it to an after thought or an event to be achieved. When Baptism and Eucharist are celebrated together we are reminded of their intrinsic relationship and we come to an understanding of the deeper meaning of both sacraments.
For this reason the Parish of Saint Mary’s conducts all Baptism ceremonies within our celebration of Sunday Masses. Parents should register for their child’s baptism by calling 201-384-0557.
Directions to St. Mary’s Church
St. Mary’s Church
280 Washington Avenue
Dumont, NJ 07628
201-384-0557 – (FAX)201-384-4986
From the Garden State Parkway
Take the Garden State Parkway to exit 165 and take the ramp for Oradell. You’ll end up on Oradell Avenue eastbound. Continue on Oradell Avenue to the end (blinking red light) which will be Grant Avenue. The distance to Grant Avenue is approximately 2.5 miles. Turn right onto Grant Avenue and follow the S bend. Grant Avenue changes its name to Boulevard. Continue to the second traffic light which is Milford Avenue. The Dartley Cleaners will be on the right. Turn left onto Milford Avenue and continue over the railroad tracks to the end. You’ll be at Washington Avenue in Dumont. Make a right and you’ll see St. Mary’s Church on your right.
Meet the Pastoral Council
The Pastoral Council is the lay leadership of the parish. New members of the council are nominated by parishioners and ultimately selected by the current Pastoral Council. St. Mary’s current Pastoral Council includes 12 members, similar to the original apostles:
• Barbara Barba, Chairperson
• John Soltes, Vice Chairperson
• Karen Permuy, Secretary
• Margaret Yu
• Joseph Pidi
• Emily Stevens
• Laura Labetti
• Malu Canlas
• Roberta Elwell
• Joan Connelly
• Mitch Carretas
• Felicia Arrigoitia
The Pastoral Council members are the dreamers of the parish. They advise Father Dominic Ciriaco by representing the “voice” of the parishioners. They also spearhead several projects throughout the year. This current council has helped establish monthly hospitality breakfasts after the Sunday Masses and welcomed new parishioners with holiday greeting cards. The council has organized trips to Habitat for Humanity in Bergen County and Paterson, in addition to creating a new service ministry called Helping Hands.
Other goals: improving communications at the parish with a new website, focusing efforts on social justice causes, asking questions concerning the completion of the Capital Campaign and redrafting St. Mary’s mission statement.
If you’re interested in joining the Pastoral Council, call 201-384-0557 for more information.