This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord. This Solemnity brings the Christmas Season to a close. The celebration of our Lord’s Baptism affords us the opportunity to recall and celebrate our own Baptism. Where were you baptized? Who baptized you? Who are your godparents?
The first recoded baptism at Our Lady of Peace was on 27 June 1922. It was the first of twenty baptisms at OLP in 1922. The first recorded baptism at Notre Dame de Lourdes was on 1 March 1959. One hundred-six baptisms would follow that year.
On this Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord we celebrate the individuals who were baptized here at Our Lady of Peace Parish last year. Blessings to these individuals and to their families.
Nathan / Harrison / Augustus / Lillian / Laine / Pearl / Jack / Faye / Ellie / Amelia / Savannah / Landon / Harper / Richard / Victor / Joseph / Maverick / Owen / Jacob / Valerie / Kathleen / Aria / Jacob / Olivia / Margaret / Nellie / Theodore / Sonny / Lily / Rylee / James / Owen / Max / Carter / Kevin / Matthew / Patrick / Fiadh / Holly / Ava / Thomas / Zoey / Sienna / Faye / Christina / Isabella
And we thank their sponsors for accompanying the newly baptized by receiving the light of Christ and assuring that the light of faith is always keep burning brightly.
Elsa / Jennifer / Jake / Hannah / Susan / Matthew / Agata / Nicole / Liz / Jeff / Brandon / Amanda / Michael / Britany / Jethro / Marie / Michael / Maria / Jennifer / Samantha / John / Nancy / Joseph / Mackenzie / Lynn / Nicholas / Rebecca / Dave / McKenna / Michael / Gelsey / Ryan / Rebecca / Ryan / Nicole / William / Kathleen / Thomas / Chelse / Matthew / Geof / Elizabeth / James / Nicole / Isaiah / Karly / Christian / Anna / Michael / Brittany / Sara / Amber / Daniel / Molly / Christopher / Brittany / Matthew / Ethan/ Christine / Patrick / Kate / Kevin / Jennifer / Ian / Colleen / Robert / Katelyn / Liam / Camille / Ken / Maria / Justin / Ashley / James / Maggie / Christian / Carmia / Matthew / Michael / Clara / Drew / Deanna / Julian / Katie
May the Lord God Almighty, who by water and the Holy Spirit has given us new birth into eternal life, abundantly bless his faithful, that always and everywhere they may be active members of his people; and may he bestow his peace on all in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
-Order of Baptism p. 51
Mass Readings and reflection questions– The Baptism of the Lord – 11 January 2026 Cycle A
Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 – You too are God’s chosen one upon whom he has put forth his Spirit? For what have you been chosen? Is God pleased with you? / For what teaching of the Lord are you waiting?
Responsorial Psalm 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10 – R. The Lord will bless his people with peace. – Which relationships of yours are blessed with peace? Which relationships require an olive branch? / What is holy attire? When have you worn this holy attire? / Why does the psalmist describe the Lord as “reigning over a flood”?
Acts 10:34-38 – God shows no partiality. Do you? / How would you describe Jesus to a friend who was considering Catholicism?
Matthew 3:13-17 – Why did Jesus come to John for Baptism? Why did John hesitate? / Compare Matthew’s account of Jesus’ Baptism with Mark’s (1:9-11), and Luke’s (3:21-22). How does John the Evangelist treat the relationship between Jesus and St. John the Baptist? (John 1:19-51) / Where and when were you baptized? Who are your godparents?
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins next Sunday 18 January and lasts through 25 January. The theme of this year’s celebration is taken from Ephesians. “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling. (Ephesians 4:4) The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement elaborate:
“Making shared hope the objective of our calling as Christians defines our membership in the Church in terms of worldwide fellowship in the hope of salvation and eternal life. It serves as a powerful witness to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit when Christians of varied backgrounds come together with a shared goal and vision with authenticity and sincerity.”