The picture of a happy and blessed Family - on Sunday at the Baptism of 7 week old Bernadette. Her older brother, Augustine, who is a year and a half was very interested in what was happening to his baby sister. All the way up to her 93 year old great-grandmother were very impressed by the beauty of this service/sacrament we were all blessed with. The reminder of how glorious and LIFE-giving the sacraments of our Church are! From the first of life comes the beauty of the healing waters of Baptism! After freshly hearing the beauty of the words, blessings of the waters and the parents and the pouring of water to wash away the original sin and bring her wholely into The Church! Pat made the comment that he felt that Patrick missed out by my quick baptism of him after he was just hours old and in Critical condition in NICU in El Paso,TX! Yes, he did not get the pomp and ceremony of this beautiful sacrament in the surroundings of a Church, with Jesus in the tabernacle - we all turned towards the tabernacle and said the Our Father to the Lord dwelling there! But Patrick did get the saving, and forgiving, and healing power of Baptism when he most was in need of saving his LIFE! He was baptized by a tearful terrified grandmother in the midst of NICU surrounded by ambulance personel, tiny babies in many incubators, nurses, and doctors... just before he was put into the "cool cap" to prevent further brain damage after being born "dead" after 20 minutes in the womb without oxygen!
To look upon this almost 3 months later... now knowing that Patrick is here with us and is healthy, and healing, and growing. He was blessed with a most powerful and LIFE-giving Baptism without the ceremony and beautiful Words of Truth and Blessing - he had the bare bones but the true MEAT... Jesus entered into his Soul, and saved him for a symbol of healing, and an answer to so many prayers! We all wonder what the Lord has in mind for this little one... Ruth has said that her last two children are gifts, as most would not have them after being told no more children. "David will be my priest!" We all know that likewise little Patrick has had an amazing experience of being raised from the dead, and possible having a near-death experience before he was here! He definitely has the fingerprint of God upon him, and when others look at his they see a living-breathing miracle!
On the way to the airport after Maria and family had been here for 10 days before Christmas... Patrick looked into my eyes and smiled at grandma! We are forever bound together little Patrick! When we look at you - we see Jesus alive and well and answering our heartfelt prayers! Jesus along with your Mother on this day of her Solemnity as the Mother of God, and the World Day of Peace... we are rejoicing at the happiness we have found in YOU, O Lord! "Blessed is the fruit of your womb!" (Luke 1:42) We feel that now little Patrick has now joined YOU, O Lord, in this fact. For he truly is a blessed fruit of Maria's womb. His father, Joseph, wrote most eloquently on their family Christmas card..."Our family has had some very dynamic experiences in the last months. These have been saturated with suffering, deep sadness, and moments of near-despair. Yet, they have led us in a single. all convicting conclusion: life is about one thing, and one thing only: love." Yes, we see the beauty of your LOVE for us in each new little life and the healing of families that have YOU in the center of their lives - showing them LOVE, LIFE and LIGHT! Looking around at mass with families that are finding happiness in YOU, O Lord! Jesus, we are so grateful for all your blessings - Your Church with all the Sacraments of LIFE and LOVE, Our Spiritual Mother Mary Mother of God, the Angels and the Saints... We are covered now and forever by a river of graces! Jesus, we trust in YOU. Amen and Halleluia
Bless-bless, Barb
"The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!" Numbers 6
"We serve a Mother who seems to grow more beautiful as new generations rise up and call her blessed." G.K. Chesterton
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