A Word on Evangelization

4^th Sunday of Easter, May 11, 2025

Sacramental Data A Report on Sacraments

The Archdiocese of Cincinnati has published its report on Sacraments for the calendar year 2024. Last year, Northwest-V was blessed with 133 infant baptisms. This is a reason for celebration because 133 more souls have been claimed for Jesus Christ, freed from original sin, marked with a sacred seal, and welcomed into the Catholic Church. When I have the privilege of baptizing a newborn baby, my heart rejoices. I can only imagine how God, along with His angels and saints, is rejoicing with us in heaven. Each baptized soul has the potential to become a saint, bringing life and love into the world in the service of God, empowered by the Holy Spirit, persevering through persecution and suffering, and bringing others to the waters of baptism by the witness of their Catholic, Christian lives.

All the baptisms that God is blessing us with give us cause for hope. Each baptized person is part of the Body of Christ and the future Church. This past year, we had 2.15 baptisms for every death. In other words, we are growing in numbers, and we are enjoying congregations comprised of people of all ages, including the very young. We are blessed to see senior citizens alongside young families, intermingled with teenagers, young adults, newlyweds, empty nesters, and families with older teens and college students. What a blessing to see that for every person who passes on, there are more than two newly baptized babies claimed for Jesus Christ and called to pass on the faith generation after generation. Baptism is where evangelization begins, and the challenge that lies before us is to nurture and grow faith in each baptized individual. Through baptism, we are all called to bring others into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.

Lord Jesus, we pray that You continue to bless us with many new baptisms every year, breathing new life through the power of the Holy Spirit living and moving in the lives of the many young Catholic Christians. For those who are interested, the full report can be found at https://resources.catholicaoc.org/offices/parish-vitality/planning-data/sacramental-data.