Welcoming a new baby into our faith

4 generations:  Grandma Hertzel, Me, Jessie, Mom

Today at Mass we had a Baptism.  It doesn't happen too often during a Mass since many opt to have theirs in the early afternoon after the services.

It brought back a lot of memories. 

I remember being home after Jessie's Baptism and realizing the responsibility Bob and I have as parents in raising our child in faith and as a Roman Catholic. 

I believe we could have done a better job with both Jessie & Chip - reading the Bible to them, having special traditions like saying a prayer during each of the Advent days, saying the rosary together.  I do regret that.  I think, though, we lived our lives as good Catholics.  Living is what is important, but prayer is a very important part of living, too.  I plan to show that to my grandchild or grandchildren. I pray my children do that, too.

We said our evening prayers..and the special saying Mom always said to us after prayer:  "Don't let the bed bugs bite."  And I added with mine, "And if they do, bite them back!"  Who would know that bed bugs do really exist!  I never did until the epidemic some had in the last two years.  I wonder what Mom would say.

Chip's Baptism

I am blessed to have two wonderful Saints' names. St. Joan of Arc - the warrior -- and St. Anne, guardian of mothers. I consider them both warriors in their own way.

I pray this grandchild has the strength of St. Joan and the tenderness of St. Anne, no matter what sex it is.  Strength and tenderness live in both men and women.

I hope you enjoy this song.  It shows the strength of a woman, strength each one of us can have with faith in ourselves, our God and others.

There is a beautiful song that Leonard Cohen wrote and Jennifer Warnes sings.  YouTube won't allow it to be posted directly.

Won't you click on the link, listen and watch the beautiful testimony to a blessed woman who blended faith, womanhood, truth, prayer, strength and love.  We face many trials in our lives. With the grace of God, we can overcome them all.

God bless all the new fathers and mothers as they enter this wonderful stage of life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtwUyDPXROQ&feature=player_embedded