I had a great weekend of re-initiation.

Firstly, I was lucky enough to be invited to two baptisms, which were just fantastic. Have you ever thought back to your own baptism? I can’t really remember mine, but I got the opportunity this weekend to renew my baptismal promises, see all the smiling faces of the friends and family who were there for the kids being baptised, and to eat lots of nice party food. And why not party? Here are all these little kids, full of hope and promise, being brought into the Catholic family…my Catholic family.

I left the events feeling truly blessed and well fed.

I also went to Mass on Sunday night and listened to a great homily from the parish priest. He was using the homily to provide some catechesis for the congregation on what the various rites within the Mass are, and why they are there. This, I thought, was a really good idea as I’d wager the majority of those in attendance didn’t really know what part was the Penitential Rite and why the Collective Prayer is called as such.

At one point, the priest got on to an overview of the Nicene Creed – how it has been around since the fourth century and how it is not to be played with etc. It is as it is because this is what we as Catholics believe and that doesn’t change anywhere in the world. He then spoke of the Liturgy of the Word and how the same readings are read throughout the world. On top of all of this, he noted that there is no rank when it comes to receiving Christ in the Eucharist. You could be in front of a C.E.O and behind a school kid – we’re all the same to God. This unity in Christ and the universal church just seemed to really strike home with me this weekend.

So, for me, I had a weekend of re-initiation into the Church. I was reminded of the beauty and holiness of Baptism in a very real way and I was reminded of the reasons behind some the ceremonies in the Mass and the connections to the wider Church and to Christ that are provided through it.

It was a good weekend. Just thought I’d let you know.