My mother was a convert and my dad had one brother living far away who was estranged from the Church. They chose godparents for their 6 kids from among their Catholic friends and neighbors, most of whom we have lost touch with due to moves, death, etc. If I think about it I may remember who they are, I am probably the only one in the family who does, now that my parents are both gone. In one case, a couple stood as godparents by “proxy” for an elderly Catholic aunt who could not travel. I do not think this is an option any more. My brother has recently moved back home, attended a reunion at our parish school and may be in touch with children from families whose parents served as our godparents. I do recall my godparents were a couple my dad knew through work, older than my parents, and my dad saying years later the gentlemen was a recovered alcoholic for whom he had a great admiration. As far as I recall, all these couples were exemplary Catholic parents. My sister’s godfather was a prominent realtor in suburban Detroit who spoke out heroically, before it became politically correct, for fair housing and integration, and suffered for his stance in his profession, and my parents made sure we understood the reasons for it.
Most of my parents’ friends were couples like them active in our parish and school, scouts, and especially the Christian Family Movement, which was a key part of their lay apostolate and spiritual life. CFM became in part a victim of the divisions in the church following publication of Humanae vitae, as story by itself. Sounds like Couples for Christ is today’s organization for couples and families.
My kids know their God Parents as they are all family members, though they don’t see them often because of distance.
