John's Baptism Weekend

John was baptized last weekend in Lawrence.  Because of the Baptism being held in Lawrence, many extended family members were able to attend.  AND, Msgr. Krische celebrated the Baptism which was extra special as he had baptized me 33 years ago...and married Eric and me 9 years ago (3X3 = 9 #math). 

Due to the many family members coming, I thought it would be easiest to have a reception at my parents with the food Mom is used to providing at the Maifest they hosted for years.  What I didn't take into account was that Mom and Dad were leaving for Germany 2 days after the party...but, the kids and I did what we could to help.  Molly even peeled a potato for the potato salad.

  

John found his thumb again, briefly, which allowed me to help a little more than might have occurred otherwise.

John wore the same baptismal gown that his siblings wore, his father and aunt and uncle wore, his grandmother and all of her siblings wore and generations before that back to the 1880s.  I have been very proud of this aspect of my children's Baptisms.  Especially due to the fact that part of the ceremony is laying our hands on John as a symbol of passing on our Faith and here is a garment that all of these generations have worn.

This group doesn't really need a label.  Will has been anxiously awaiting John's Baptism since seeing one performed at our church several weeks ago and thinking that John's would be performed immediately after.

Megan and Brian awaiting the start.  Stephen was taking pictures.

Ann and Grandma. 

The cousins

It was great to have all of the kids there.  The Gospel reading is of Jesus welcoming the children to listen to him.  Msgr. Krische told a couple of jokes that everyone laughed at, but slightly went over the kids' heads.  Though, that didn't stop them from laughing uproariously with the rest of us.  A highlight of this was when Monsignor implied that John would be a priest after giving all of the times that Chrism is used during sacraments:  Today when John is baptized, when he is confirmed,...when he is ordained.  Everyone's laughter grew when Will loudly asked (while still laughing loudly): "Why is everyone laughing?"

Eric's aunts Debbie and Diane made the drive down with Eric's grandparents that morning.

John is Baptized.  He was great during the entire ceremony.  When we went through classes in preparation for Dominic's Baptism several years ago, the deacon emphasized that after a baby is baptized he is the purest thing in the sanctuary (next to the Eucharist) because his original sin has been washed away.  I still get teary eyed thinking about this.

John was so wiped out by all of the excitement, he fell asleep for the last part of the ceremony.  John received the light of Christ symbolically given by lighting his baptism candle from the Easter Candle.

He is also in his baptismal garment.  This was especially embroidered for him by some friends of ours.  Msgr. Krische surprised us with it along with the candle just before the Baptism. 

Msgr. Krische asks the Godparents and Grandparents to write letters to John to be read on the 18th anniversary of his Baptism. 

And here we all are at the end.  Phew!  It was a beautiful ceremony and I'm so glad we could have it at St. Lawrence.  (for those who may not know, only four of the kids are ours, the other three are cousins)

Afterwards we retired to my parents' house where the kids enjoyed watching a show on my tablet (despite the fact there was a perfectly good tv about 5 feet away).  Peter also learned that he had the 'special touch' with John.  The rest of the week when John would get fussy while hanging with his cousins, I'd here Peter's sweet  voice rise above the rest as he would say: "Let me hold him!  I have the special touch!"

Living so far away from family, it was particularly special to share this day with so many extended members.  For the first time the entire Buschelman family was in one place and a brother, sister, and brother-in-law of Liz's came.  Plus, two of my aunts and their husbands and one of my cousins and his wife were able to attend.  It was a minor miracle that it all worked out and I'm very thankful to everyone who traveled and worked to make the day so wonderful!