Yes, today was Mom's 80th birthday. The local contingent of the family gathered for dinner and then for birthday cake. Those of you who have met Emma Rose know what a wonderful woman she is, a real gift of God to my Dad, to her children, her grandchildren, and her friends.
Jonah's baptism took place on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord in Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church in Hampton, New Hampshire. The gracious pastor of the parish, Father Maurice Larochelle was present. I used, for the first time in my priesthood, the traditional rite of Baptism for Infants, as given in Father Weller's splendid Roman Ritual.
"Jonah Daniel, I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
After the Rite of Baptism, we all turned toward the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, to consecrate and entrust Jonah Daniel to her.
Back at the house. The icon of the Mother of God is in the Kirby family's kitchen.
This morning I am heading north to New Hampshire to baptize my nephew Jonah Daniel Kirby. Just look at that smile! The baptism will take place at Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church in Hampton tomorrow, on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
Jonah has a big brother, Michael Colin, 4, and a big sister, Mary Elizabeth, 2. Their baby brother's baptism should prove to be a fascinating event for them. More on the baptism, with photos, will follow.
His Excellency, the Bishop of the Diocese of Tulsa, Oklahoma has given
Father Mark a special mandate to live in adoration before the Most
Blessed Sacrament, in a spirit of thanksgiving and intercession, that he
might make reparation before the Eucharistic Face of Jesus for all his
brothers in Holy Orders. At the same time, he is available to the
priests and deacons of the Diocese for spiritual and sacramental
support in their pursuit of holiness.
