1. Baptism: We started talking about godparents for the new baby the other day. We have some good options amongst our family members, but soon we have to make a decision. Decisions are very hard for me, so I always appreciate when we have limited options. Fortunately and unfortunately we know a lot of practicing Catholics who would be wonderful godparents. We have always stuck with family members because we want our kids to know their godparents and you never know which friends you'll keep in touch with for the rest of your life. Sadly, a few of the kids' godparents have fallen away from the Church as they've grown older, so we've grown more cautious. Is it possible to pick new godparents? I have a little superstitious fear that my children's faith might be weakened by the lack of praying godparents, but rationally I know that's silly. I really appreciated the import that the role of godparents received in Guam - godparents were expected to help raise the child not just in the faith but financially. I wonder if this commitment made godparents more hesitant to accept their responsibility. Did anyone ever say, "You know, my faith isn't really that firm right now; I appreciate the honor, but why don't you choose someone else?"
Also, it is interesting to me the way each parish has a different number of hurdles to leap before receiving this sacrament. I talked to the deacon yesterday about what this parish requires: an interview, application, affadavit that at least one of the godparents is baptized Catholic, confirmed, and in a regular marriage, attendance at a class, and a copy of the birth certificate. After all this, you can sign up for one of two weekends a month when community baptisms are held. Of course, in emergency and special situations, exceptions can be made, but the deacon made the point that baptism is an opportunity to welcome young families back into practicing their faith if they haven't been active.
Or it could scare them away.
At the other end of the spectrum: at my parents' small church where three of our kids were baptized, we just had to call in and find out if the weekend we wanted was available. Showed up at the Church, received the sacrament, went home and had a party.
Our first two kids were baptized during Mass on Easter Sunday at two different churches. Both of these pastors loved the idea of having an infant baptism as a part of the ceremony. One of the parishes had a brand new baptismal font, so our son was the first to be baptized in it (no adult baptism's the night before at the Vigil). The priest wanted to fully immerse him nekkid, which scared me - what if he polluted the water!! - but my fears weren't realized. I had to leave Mass to get him dressed and nursed afterwards, but it ended up being a beautiful experience. All the church ladies came up to us afterwards to tell us how much they loved it.
2. College: Everyday we get new fliers in the mail for our high schoolers. Some - many? - of these places I've never even heard of. We did just get an ad for summer school at Harvard - thanks but no thanks! But the endless barrage makes me aware of how many options there all - that and the 1000 pages of the Peterson's college guide. (Picked up the 2011 version for $1. Mostly the same info as the $26 2014 version, right?) My mom sent the ISI Guide to colleges for "conservatives and old-fashioned liberals." PSAT scores just came back and our junior will take the SAT soon. The school the boys go to always has a counselor's page in their monthly newsletter devoted to listing scholarship opportunities (from lots of $500 options to $40000 from the GE-Reagan Foundation and Edison International.) and upcoming visits from college reps. This month there were 4 pages of counselor notes. 'Tis the season for making decisions about where to apply.
This is somewhat terrifying to me. On the one hand, you have my husband who applied to one school, got in, got a full ride from ROTC, found a wife and a career and a passion for architecture and his faith, and never looked back. On the other hand, I am haunted by visions of thousands of indebted, faithless, hungover, STD riddled, poorly educated, unemployed, directionless recent college applicants. Choosing a college may be one of the last big decisions I get to help my sons make. What if we make a mistake?
I know in my heart there isn't necessarily one perfect place for each kid. Many colleges would nurture their hearts, minds, and souls, or, if they choose a secular school, many places have Newman centers or church communities that would feed their souls while they learn. And the tuition? I'm still optimistic about aid. Maybe blindly so.
This topic is sure to occupy more of my attention as the year goes on.
3. Our first parents: We've been going to a small group meeting on the Catholicism series by Fr. Barron at our parish. Every other Saturday we meet to watch a part of the videos, have wine and cheese, and talk about the questions in the study guide. Last Saturday's session was about Aquinas' proofs from God, and one of the questions led to a discussion of Genesis and evolution. I said something about reading the Genesis account figuratively. I'm no creationist, and it seems to me that the order of creation in Genesis seems to correspond with roughly the story of creation told by secular scientists: light and darkness, land and water, fish and birds, land animals, people. But one member of our group declared, "Well, you have to believe in the Adam and Eve" and referred to Humani Generis, Pope Pius XII's document from 1950. Both his tone and positivism irked me a bit, so I did a little research.
Here's what I found:
A summary of a priest from Berkeley's thoughts.
The Catechism: "How to read the account of the fall
390 The account of the fall in Genesis 3 uses figurative language, but affirms a primeval event, a deed that took place at the beginning of the history of man.264 Revelation gives us the certainty of faith that the whole of human history is marked by the original fault freely committed by our first parents.265"
Fr. Longenecker's more vernacular explanation.
If I think about this too hard, my head begins to spin. And to what extent does the timing of creation really matter? Sometimes I wonder if my faith suffers from a tendency to de-personalize God, to make Him into a metaphor. I don't hesitate to believe that God exists, but I struggle to identify with or to feel the loving language of relationship with God that some writers use, as is the idea that "God wills" certain events. I prefer "God allows." But "I prefer" sounds so ego-centric. Humility in this: "I don't know."
4. Downton Abbey: I think I'm done with this show. We watched the first episode of Season 4, and then I read spoilers about the 2nd. I don't think I want to commit any more time to watching. I'd rather read a good book. And then the high schoolers have gotten into watching BBC Sherlock Holmes episodes, which are pretty fun, too.
5. Interesting articles about literature I came across lately: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/goodletters/2014/01/the-contemporary-novel-of-belief-part-2/
http://dgmyers.blogspot.com/2014/01/academe-quits-me.html
Both of these are two part posts.
And now to get back to work on more pressing things, like dishes and laundry.
