31st October 2008

Godparents, Baptisms - Preparing for Melina’s First Beginnings & Future

In addition to the work stuff, the nursery stuff, a couple of additional things have been on my mind.  I want to have Melina baptized in a Catholic church.  I was baptized and in fact am lucky enough to have the Christening gown that my Mom passed on to me many years ago.   I was raised Catholic, went to Catholic schools, and was very active in the Catholic church until I was about 19 years old.  You know, about the time you start meeting men on your own, outside the house, kinda thing if you get what I’m trying to say here.  Wasn’t exactly going to church as often then - became a little misdirected in life - made some mistakes, some really big ones, and had some not so good things happen along the way in something we call the Path of Life.  ;-)

Okay, fast forward 21 years - I’ve been going to Vineyard in Westerville for many years now, but have never joined the church because of my belief in my Catholic baptism.  I love the pastor and his message.  I don’t agree with everything, but am amazed at his leadership, inspiration and what an amazing community service that church has become.  I don’t always go to church, as it’s a reminder that I’ve sinned in order to have a child on my own, but I do enjoy the message most times.  I love the worship, etc.  For Christmas, I’ve always tried to do the Catholic thing, but after I do the Vineyard thing.  So, I hear the modern contemporary message at Vineyard, and then I go down to the Cathedral and enjoy the ritual I grew up with - Midnight Mass, etc. 

I don’t agree with either Church on everything - I don’t subscribe to everything - obviously - but appreciate and respect both churches for what they bring to the table.  So, now it’s time for Melina to be born, and of course, baptism is on the mind.  I thank my parents for raising me Catholic and Christian.  If I didn’t have the rules and rituals growing up, I might have been a worse kid, or more ignorant to what I was doing during my 20-s.  I’ve not been a great Catholic by any means, nor do I think it’s the only solution but I do believe in many aspects  of the Catholic church.  I also respect and admire other religions, and the cultural traditions experienced by many in other religions.  I love history, and thus, enjoy my Jewish pastor, turned Christian, because he has an amazing ability to talk history as much as he can integrate current life’s lessons with past historical influences. 

So, now what about having a set of god parents for Melina, as well as a Catholic baptism?  Even if I’m single, and chose to bear Melina in a less -than- Catholic kinda way.  Will the Catholic church embrace my desire to have her baptized in early 2009?  Second, what about god parents?  Is it important for god parents to carry this similar desire out, and be present?

What is god parent etiquette in terms of religion etc?  I have asked two very close friends who I admire to be the god parents, but one concern of religion definitely came up - who would be the Catholic and the Christian influence for Melina, if I wasn’t around? 

Anyway, time to turn in for the night - but things to ponder - as I prepare for her arrival.  Friends of mine talked about Christmas and whether or not I would be able to have Melina at their house for Christmas Eve.  I can say this, while I haven’t been the perfect Catholic or Christian here - there is no place other than Midnight Mass and Vineyard that I want to be on Christmas Eve.  I have a lot of thanking God to do here - there is no other celebration I’d rather share on Christmas.  I can not tell you how many Christmas’ I’ve experienced dreaming that one day I’d have a present under the tree for my child - and this year, God willing, I will indeed have that first present under the tree for Melina - but she’s the best present of all this holiday season.

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