Well, we took a bit long to get Sammy baptized. The church we belong to in Minnesota...it's priest is on sabbatical for six months and the deacon wasn't really available. So we procrastinated...and procrastinated.
When Michele's grandfather died a few weeks ago, we all went back east for the funeral. The priest who peformed the funeral really made an impression on Paul. They spoke for a couple of hours after the funeral about everything from Palm Pilots to liberation theology. After the funeral we returned home, but a week after that Michele had already planned on coming back east for a week to visit again. So we asked Father Thomas Ward if he'd baptize Sammy. He agreed and thus we were all back in New York for the third time this year.
Sammy was baptized at Saint Josephs in Oxford, NY by Father Ward. Paul's family for the most part lives in either Minnesota or Texas now, so it was Michele's side of the family who was able to be there and celebrate with us. Sammy's Great Uncle "Don" Andrew was his Godfather and his Aunt Sharon was his Godmother. Sammy wore a white baptismal gown he received as a gift from his Aunt Jacci and Uncle David (Paul's brother).
Most of the baptisms we've been to are usually included in the Sunday mass and last about 3 minutes. Father Ward did an exceptional job. The service for Sammy's baptism lasted 45 minutes! We wish we had video taped it. Since most of the people there had been at Sammy's Great Grandfather's funeral little more than a week earlier, Father Ward tied it all together (life, death, etc). To try to summarize the what he said here wouldn't do it justice. We will just leave it with saying that we are glad to be so fortunate as to haveFather Ward baptize our son. He really made it a special moment and impressed upon us the responsibilities we have to raise Sammy in the Catholic Church.
After the batism we gathered at Sammy's Great Grandma's in Mount Upton for a macaroni and meatballs meal...which included eggplant parmagiana by Great Aunt Diana, garlic nuts by Great Aunt Liz, and imported Locatelli cheese (Pecorini Romano)...which is considered to be the world's finest grating cheese (made from 100% pure sheep's milk).
Father Ward with Sammy and Michele
Father Ward baptizing Sammy as Michele holds him.
Father Ward blessing Sammy with holy oil.
Father Ward with newly baptized Sammy.
From left to right....Godparent Aunt Sharon,
Godparent Great Uncle Andy, Father Ward, Paul, & Michele
