The birth of Hope


Our newest goddaughter,
Hope Bridget Marie,
seen here at 3 weeks of age, was born at home (just a few doors away).

I was blessed to be present and photograph the birth.

Hope will be baptized May 10th (Mother's Day) and Tim and I are so grateful for the opportunity to become her godparents. We humbly and joyfully accept our role in assisting with her life-long faith formation. Of course her parents will be her primary teachers in the faith, but we stand ready to offer our support and we promise our constant prayers throughout Hope's life.

I find great encouragement for parents and godparents from these words (excerpt of a homily) spoken recently by our Holy Father visiting Cameroon:

Dear fathers and mothers here today, do you have trust in God who has called you to be the fathers and mothers of his adopted children?

Do you accept that he is counting on you to pass on to your children the human and spiritual values that you yourselves have received and which will prepare them to live with love and respect for his holy name?

At a time when so many people have no qualms about trying to impose the tyranny of materialism, with scant concern for the most deprived, you must be very careful.

God alone could grant Joseph the strength to trust the Angel. God alone will give you, dear married couples, the strength to raise your family as he wants. Ask it of him! God loves to be asked for what he wishes to give. Ask him for the grace of a true and ever more faithful love patterned after his own.


Sons and daughters of Africa, do not be afraid to believe, to hope, and to love; do not be afraid to say that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and that we can be saved by him alone.

Dear fathers, like Saint Joseph, respect and love your spouse; and by your love and your wise presence, lead your children to God where they must be (cf. Lk 2:49).


Excerpt from the
HOMILY OF POPE BENEDICT XVI
MASS FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF SAINT JOSEPH
AMADOU AHIDJO STADIUM
YAOUNDE 19 MARCH 2009
found @
http://whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com/2009/03/hoping-against-hope.html