The Third Prayer

Dear Beatrice-

Today you became a child of God and a member of the Catholic Church!  Congratulations!  You were a sweet little angel throughout the Mass and didn’t cry once when Father Tim poured the Holy Water over your precious little head.  As the picture above shows, you were at peace and it seemed almost as if you knew what was going on this special day. 

And what a special day it was.  When I first got to church and saw the visiting priest I was a little upset that you wouldn’t receiving your first sacrament from a parish priest.  But Father Tim did such an outstanding job that I don’t think any other priest would have done better.  He took every opportunity possible to mention your name and the wonderful sacrament you were receiving.  You were blessed, literally, to be baptized by such a reverent priest.  (My husband, Frank, and I wish he would become a permenent priest for us-he was that great!)

 

It was only fitting that today’s Gospel reading, Luke 3:10-18, was about John the Baptist. 

Now the people were filled with expectation,
and all were asking in their hearts
whether John might be the Christ.
John answered them all, saying,
“I am baptizing you with water,
but one mightier than I is coming.
I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

And today, on the Third Sunday of Advent, you were baptized with the Holy Spirit, the promise of the Resurrection of Christ and life everlasting.  Oh what a beautiful day!

I was honored and priviledged to be your mom’s sponsor when she joined the Catholic Church back in 2008.  We didn’t know each other before, but we instantly hit it off and became friends.  We stayed in contact after RCIA ended and she started giving me mommy advice when I was pregnancy with Mary Rene.  When Mary Rene was born, your mommy was always so helpful and answered any questions that I had.

And again I have been given such an amazing honor, but now, to sponsor you.  It is fitting that earlier in the week we pulled your name off our Advent chain to pray for you.  We spend that day, and today of course, praying that you always feel the closeness of God.  No matter what, He is always there for you.  And today is proof.  The Second Reading says it more beautiful then I ever could:

Brothers and sisters:
Rejoice in the Lord always.
I shall say it again:  rejoice!
Your kindness should be known to all.
The Lord is near.
Have no anxiety at all, but in everything,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
make your requests known to God.
Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding
will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

-Philippines 4:4-7

I take this role very seriously and want you to know that you will always be in my prayers.  My constant prayer will be that while you are always filled with the love of God you also feel His love and understand His love.  God’s blessings on you sweet baby girl.

This entry was posted on Sunday, December 13th, 2009 at 1:05 pm and is filed under Beatrice, Faith, Friends, Mary Rene. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.