This book belongs to
Given on the day of their Baptism:
Which took place at:
Here I am at my Baptism
Jesus Speaks to Me About
My Baptism
by illustrated by
Angela M. Burrin Maria Cristina Lo Cascio
I Know My Sheep!
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“I am the Good Shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” John 10:14
I am Jesus, and I want to tell you about that very special day when you received the Sacrament of Baptism. If you were baptized as a baby, you won’t remember it. But that doesn’t matter, because I do! And in this book, I’ll explain everything that happened. I was so happy the day your parents brought you to the church to be baptized. Do you know why? Because it was the beginning of our special friendship! On that day, you became a child of your heavenly Father. You also became a member of a special family—the Catholic Church. I am the Good Shepherd of that family, and you are one of my sheep! Just as a shepherd takes care of his sheep, I want to take care of you all of your life. Let me tell you about the job of a shepherd. He makes sure his sheep have good grass to eat. He always stays with them and protects them from wild animals. If a sheep wanders off, he searches for it until he finds it. And did you know that sheep always recognize the voice of their shepherd? Just as sheep recognize the voice of their shepherd, everyone who is baptized can hear my voice. Remember—I am your Good Shepherd, and I am always with you! So turn the page, and read more about the day you were baptized!
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What Name Do You Give This Child? “You shall name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
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Matthew 1:21
If you were baptized as a baby, you were probably wearing a special white gown. Your parents, godparents, family, and friends arrived at the church with you. Ask your parents if you were quiet or crying! The priest welcomed everyone—including you! He said you were a gift to your parents from God. He reminded everyone that your heavenly Father now wanted to give you his own life through the Sacrament of Baptism. Isn’t that awesome? Next, the priest asked your parents, “What name do you give your child?” Your name is very important. Mine is special too. Do you know how I got it? Over two thousand years ago, your heavenly Father sent the angel Gabriel to a young girl in Nazareth called Mary. She was afraid, but the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid. You are going to have a baby, and you are to name him Jesus.” My name means “God saves his people.” Write your baptismal name on this line:
.................................................................................................................................................... Ask your parents why they chose that name for you.
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Your Parents and Godparents
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“Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover.” Luke 2:41
This is what happened next. The priest asked your mom and dad, “What do you ask of God’s Church for your child?” They replied, “Baptism.” But since you were still a baby, your parents had to promise that they would teach you all about the Catholic faith. They promised to teach you to love God, your family, and your friends, and to make choices that are pleasing to God. Your godparents promised to help your parents teach you. My parents, Mary and Joseph, taught me that my Father in heaven loved me. We read the Scriptures together and they showed me how to pray. You can pray too—on your way to school or when you play with your friends. Pray
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anywhere or at any time, and your Father will listen to you. And you can talk to me after you receive me in Holy Communion. And just as your parents take you to church, my parents took me to the Temple in Jerusalem. We went every year to celebrate the feast of Passover. I remember the long walk from Nazareth. It was fun because our relatives, friends, and neighbors walked with us. Passover was a very special feast when we remembered the night that Moses led our people out of slavery in Egypt. On this line, write the names of your godparents:
..................................................................................................................................................................... Ask your parents why they chose them. Have you ever thanked your parents and godparents for teaching you about the Catholic faith?
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