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Dmitri77
Guest
I’d recommend you accept and get the baby baptized ASAP. Any other concerns are secondary.
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SAVINGRACE
Guest
Thank you Dmitri, that’s what I have decided to do after speaking with the baptising Priest. My darling god-daughter will be baptised this coming Sunday.
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Don_Ruggero
Guest
I am delighted to read this post and I assure you of my prayers.Thank you Dmitri, that’s what I have decided to do after speaking with the baptising Priest. My darling god-daughter will be baptised this coming Sunday.
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SAVINGRACE
Guest
Thank you Father.
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otjm
Guest
Not everyone is in the “tolerance crowd”. Some of us understand that there are a few folks - actually, a tremendous number of folks - who are exceedingly poorly catechized, or even minimally to the point of being “cultural” Catholics. The OP’s friend sounds as if she may fit well into that category.
And as to “actual sinners who flaunt”, no, many of us understand that people often are on a journey of faith very different from our own, and are nowhere near as far along on that journey. And we choose not to confront, but rather, to try to assist.
And even more critically, some of us actually have experience with what happens when someone confronts others in their sinfulness, and succeeds in driving them away from the Church. I have had more than enough experience, in all the years I have been around, to see the results of someone who confronts. I have seen it in my relatives, I have seen it in my classmates who left the Church in the 60’s; I have seen it in those who have come to the sessions I help present for Catholics Returning Home. I see it also in the statistics of something like 75% of Catholics not attending Mass on a regular basis.
It is first and foremost our responsibility to tend to our own sinfulness. And it is the responsibility of the pastor of that woman (nothing having been said as to any faith of her partner) to guide her on her faith journey.
She isn’t doing too well, to put it politely, in her faith journey. I kind of suspect that the woman caught in adultery wasn’t doing all that well either; but Christ did not berate her; He did not give her chapter, line and verse of the Talmudic Law on marriage and adultery; He very quietly forgave her and said “go, and sin no more”.
I would not ask you if your heart is so small; rather, I would say that you might have chosen very wisely in the same circumstance, as your comment - which would be, it would appear, exceedingly likely - could be what cuts what little thread this woman has connecting her to Christ.
And I, personally, would not want to have that result on me when it comes to Judgement Day. I doubt you would either.
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SAVINGRACE
Guest
My heart is shattered. :crying::crying:
Baby Emma passed away last night at 11.02pm. My only comfort is that she was baptised and I had the privilege of being her godmother if only for a few weeks.
Please pray for her soul, her guardians and loved ones as they grieve.
Lord, thank you for the precious gift of this baby. She taught all of us some valuable lessons.
Inside the hospital waiting rooms, artificial light, in one corner silent tears, loud voices, sleepless nights, heavy hearts breaking, robotic conversations and robotic tea making. In another corner, tentative smiles aware of others not so lucky, good news received, quietly packing getting ready to discharge, smiling relatives, gifts.
Outside the sun beams, cars beep, motorbikes roar, birds chirp, life goes on blissfully unaware of the little room full of intense churning emotions.
Baby Emma passed away last night at 11.02pm. My only comfort is that she was baptised and I had the privilege of being her godmother if only for a few weeks.
Please pray for her soul, her guardians and loved ones as they grieve.
Lord, thank you for the precious gift of this baby. She taught all of us some valuable lessons.
Inside the hospital waiting rooms, artificial light, in one corner silent tears, loud voices, sleepless nights, heavy hearts breaking, robotic conversations and robotic tea making. In another corner, tentative smiles aware of others not so lucky, good news received, quietly packing getting ready to discharge, smiling relatives, gifts.
Outside the sun beams, cars beep, motorbikes roar, birds chirp, life goes on blissfully unaware of the little room full of intense churning emotions.
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Don_Ruggero
Guest
My poor dear child! I am so terribly sorry to read this. I assure you of my sympathy.
No pastoral task quite chokes me up as the funeral of a baby. The baby laid out…the tiny casket…the pain of the parents and grandparents. It is all deeply affecting, even to one who has been a priest for years and for one whose formation is to cope with all manner of pastoral calamities. Also, the advancing of years and graying of hair may actually make the pain of a baby’s loss even more heartfelt…at least it seems that way for me.
God be praised and thanked that Baby Emma was baptised.
As much as I know you miss her, you have the certitude that, when your pilgrimage ends, this saint will be waiting to greet you. You have the certitude that your goddaughter is in the beatific vision and that the spiritual bond effected between you and her on the day of her baptism is a bond that binds you to her always, until you join her.
Invoke her prayerful intercession always. You have your own saint. May the knowledge that Emma is in the fullness of life and love now be your comfort, consolation and joy. She has attained what we all hope to reach at the end of our pilgrimage. She will still be part of your life, just in a way very different from what you had hoped and envisioned.
God bless you and all of those who loved and cared for Emma.
And thank you, my dear, for having the thoughtfulness and kindness to share this news with us. I shall certainly be invoking this special child now myself. And I will pray for you and all who are mourning Emma.
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oldgraymare2
Guest
I’m so very sorry to read this. You and her family have my deepest condolences.
May God bless all of you during this time of deep sorrow.
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oldgraymare2
Guest
Thank you dear Father, for such a beautiful post.
I am in tears as I read it.
I am thankful for your presence here on the CAF.
May God bless you always.
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Hoosier_Daddy
Guest
Oh, I’m. So sorry! Just know that you are amazing. A better Christian than I. And because of you, this child was baptized and shown true Christian love. God bless you.
We can argue theology all day but sometimes we forget the reality of God. Thank you for posting what I’m sure was hard to write. It really underscores the mercy, the love of God.
Though I am sad, I thank you for teaching me.
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Phemie
Guest
As am I. That was a beautiful post and I am very happy that Emma was baptized.
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pianistclare
Guest
Oh dear one. I am so sorry.
I thank God that this child and her parents had such a loving friend so willing to be there for this precious little girl. Your kindness to them will go far. It will continue to bless them on their journey, and this dear child will bless you from heaven.
May all children everywhere know the love that Christ gives us and in turn charges us to give back to Him, through others.
Be assured of our prayers.
May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed
through the mercy of God rest in peace, Amen.
I thank God that this child and her parents had such a loving friend so willing to be there for this precious little girl. Your kindness to them will go far. It will continue to bless them on their journey, and this dear child will bless you from heaven.
May all children everywhere know the love that Christ gives us and in turn charges us to give back to Him, through others.
Be assured of our prayers.
May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed
through the mercy of God rest in peace, Amen.
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