At the Easter Vigil last night I was baptised and confirmed, and received Holy Communion. It was wonderful. Whereas last year’s Easter Vigil seemed to go on forever, this year’s seemed to go very quickly. I was very struck by the warm welcome I received from the Body of Christ in my parish community, especially from those I’ve never met. It was wonderful to be surrounded by such kind and supportive friends.
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Since I don’t have many words for such a glorious occasion, I’d like to thank everyone who was there to support me as I came forward:
-My mum and my sister
- Kathy, the first person from my parish community who spoke to me, and my loving godmother
- Mary, the top banana of the parish catechists who seems to be everywhere but disappears when you’re actually looking for her
-Amy G aka Other Amy, who will be confirmed at Pentecost
-Fabienne, the one who keeps showing up
-Henry, the one whose voice I would recognise anywhere
-John (I’m really going to miss you!)
-Joseph, the responsible one who turned up on time for the quiet time!
- Fr Tom, who baptised and confirmed me – “You can keep the shawl if you wear it every Sunday between now and Pentecost!”
-Fr Sajou, who gave me my First Holy Communion
- Fr Joseph, who was so informal when I first met him I didn’t realise he was a priest – I wish he could have been there – he taught me a great deal
-Brian, who always has a smile on his face (How do you do that?!)
-Anne, who has been a quiet and humble help
-Susie, who is my mum’s sponsor and is just like her
-Jill and Cherry -thank you for being there in the pew behind me, and that card was amazing! Please give me some tips next time I see you; I’m really into that kind of thing.
-Jerry, the jolly choirmaster and acting barman who welcomed me the moment I landed in his choir
Everyone in Journey in Faith (RCIA) and everyone who I have failed to mention (I haven’t forgotten you, I am just overwhelmed by such a sacred night and I’ve never actually drunk a full glass of wine before!)
I love all of you and am blessed to know you all.
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Dear Father,
I pray for my parish community, all of the parishes in my diocese, and the entire Body of Christ. Thank You for choosing me to become a Roman Catholic and help me to behave like a child of Yours ought to. Thank You for the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and the Eucharist. Help me to be a gift to the Church; to be Christlike. That sounds hard. I pray that one day I will be someone’s godparent/sponsor, but in the meantime help me to bear much fruit wherever I may be for everyone I meet.
Amen.
