A Country Baptism

Our Lady of the Lake Church, Halifax, Massachusetts, 8/10/14.

There is much in praise of very small country churches!  The congregations know each other intimately and know when one of their number needs help almost before it is needed.  Everyone works together to support one in need.  Celebrations are many and festive.  

I'm visiting my daughter, Mary, her husband, Dave, and their 7-year-old son, Michael, in Massachusetts.  This morning we traveled to Our Lady of the Lake Church in Halifax, Massachusetts. This was Dave's church as he grew up.  One of Dave's cousins, Kristen's baby, Carter, was baptized.  It was also his first birthday.

Little Carter is held by his dad, Brian, and mother, Kristen is watching as Father Griffith continues the Baptism ceremony.  The family filled up about half the church!

There has been disagreements concerning infant baptisms versus older children or adult baptisms since the early days of the church.  I have heard quite a few people say that they didn't get their child or children baptized because they feel a person has the right to choose his or her own religion.  Sorry to report, but most of these folks who never get baptized when young and never are brought to church by their parents never go to any church - ever!

We in the Catholic Church believe that Baptism is too important to be delayed.  Baptism gives an indelible 'imprint' on a person's soul, marking that person as a Christian, and is a source of God's 'grace,' or special help, his or her whole life.  However, a person can be baptized at any time of life.

Christian Baptism is a simple matter.  What is necessary?:  That a person pours a small amount of water over the candidate's head and pronounces the words, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, in the name of the Son, and in the name of the Holy Spirit."  The Catholic Church accepts as valid this Christian Baptism from all Christian Churches, not only the Catholic Church.  A person needs to get baptized only once in their lifetime.

Many years ago, I miscarried a baby at home.  I, personally, felt this small thing was a child, even though it was too small to detect.  I knew my doctor would want to test it to see if I was really pregnant (and also that afterwards, I wouldn't get it back).  I took the 'tissue' over to my bathroom sink.  I sprinkled a small amount of water over it and pronounced the words of Baptism.  It was very, very sad for me.  Weeks later (this was 1977), my doctor told me that I had been, indeed, pregnant.  So I feel that one baby is waiting for me and the rest of my family in heaven.

We call Baptism the "Sacrament of Initiation" because it is the first sacrament to be given and received.  To find out more about this most vital and interesting sacrament, google "Catechism of the Catholic Church" and scroll down the table of contents to the Sacraments.

The Lake in "Our Lady of the Lake" Church is Lake Monponsett, nearby.  Here are some more photos of the church's interior.

Facing the Altar at Our Lady of the Lake Church.

Closer view of window over the altar, Jesus with his Mother, Mary.

Window in the rear of the church showing the Pope's insignia over the organ pipes.

For more photos of the area and Carter's Baptismal/Birthday, please go to my travel blog today, www.rockingthroughworld.blogspot.com.

Dear Lord, thank you for allowing me to be present at little Carter's Baptism today!