Going back home, Advent baptism, hitting the shopping mall

What a way to spend this Sunday before Christmas.  Having assisted at my assigned parish for last evening's vigil Mass I agreed to fill in at my home parish in Abita Springs for the 11 a.m. Mass.  Having a couple of scheduled baptisms after that Mass made this a practical and awesome decision.  I love being back in the sanctuary at beautiful St. Jane de Chantal Catholic Church.  It brings back awesome memories of nearly 1 years, with 2 of those years spent as St. Jane's Deacon.

Assisting Mass is a bit different these days at St. Jane's.  Since my departure they have new Priests and quite a few new faces in the pews.  Still it was a warm beautiful moment to be assisting in the holy sacrifice of the Mass in my hometown, in my home parish.  Immediately after Mass I was privileged to baptize two wonderful baby boys; their names were Jax and Benjamin.  I love the Sacrament of Baptism; along with the Sacrament of Matrimony these are the sacraments most often involving the Permanent Deacon.  I love explaining everything I do throughout the Baptism; why we use oil, why we bless the water, why we include Scripture in the actual rite; I love to explain all the steps. 

I went by one of the families homes after the Baptism to bless the house of this young family.  While there, I got to see the Saints game, although this was far down my radar with so many things going on in preparation for Christmas.  Once the Saints won I took off to pick up my daughter and take to the mall.  I must be nuts although this has been a little Christmas time tradition for me and Elizabeth,

Tonight I am relaxing in the living room, satisfied by such a full day and enjoying the Christmas lights and the Sound of Music on the TV.  It's almost here!  Advent is about to end and the Christmas season begins.  I hope I will be ready for all the excitement but more importantly to remember the birth of Jesus, to celebrate the season more fully and to anticipate growing closer to Him in my life and my ministry.  I truly need to just stay away from malls.

Heavenly Father, thank you for a wonderful Advent season and beautiful grace filled Sunday!