JR and I are Catholic and we were lucky and thankful to be in a Catholic hospital, St Francis Medical Center. On a side note, Shawn's middle name is Francis, named after my father's middle name and named after Saint Francis.
Monsignor Bliss is the residing hospital priest and he would be the one officiating Anna's baptism. He is considered a legend according to some of the awards displayed in the hospital.
The Thursday after our first visit to see Anna, JR organized the baptism with the help of our favorite core team nurse, Michelle. I was really proud of JR for doing this. He called me to tell me about a dress that a women's organization made for Anna. A wonderful organization called Threads of Love made Anna's baptismal dress. It is a beautiful gown and bonnet with lace and satin. You couldn't find a dress like this in any store.
That Saturday, March 5, 2011 was her baptism. We dressed her up in her little gown and Nurse Michelle told us that it would be okay if we opened her incubator for the ceremony. We took lots of pictures and were able to get a beautiful picture of Anna holding on to JR's finger while she wore his wedding ring on her wrist.
We met Monsignor Bliss for the first time and we talked to him for a few minutes before the ceremony began. Monsignor Bliss began the baptism with an opening prayer and then read Matthew 19, 13-15:
The people brought little children to Jesus, for him to lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples scolded them, but Jesus said, 'Let the little children alone, and do not stop them from coming to me; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of Heaven belongs. Then he laid his hands on them and went on his way.
Monsignor Bliss then spoke about how we (JR and I) were doing the right thing as parents by helping her in every way we could, physically and spiritually. The baptism was very solemn and Monsignor Bliss spoke very softly. I became emotional and I couldn't stop the tears. I knew Anna was a blessing and that she was officially in the hands of God. Monsignor Bliss then took a tiny shell and baptized Anna with holy water.
All of a sudden, I heard a voice singing:
"Baby, Baby, Baby Oh! Baby, Baby, Baby Oh! I thought you would always be mine, mine"
No, it wasn't the voice of angels singing from above, it was the voice of Justin Bieber.
Note to self: Next serious occasion, please remind 11 yr old daughter to turn off cell phone.
I should have been embarrassed, but it was too funny. We all laughed including Monsignor Bliss. The funniest part was that no one mentioned Justin's name. Monsignor Bliss was the first to say, "Justin Bieber, eh?"
Recently, I received Anna's Baptismal Certificate in the mail and it says:
This is to certify that Anna Faith M.
Child of John M. and Lena M.
Born on the 5th day of February 2011
Was baptized on the 5th Day of March 2011
By Emergency Baptism
By Monsignor Bliss
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