The Baptism of Katherine Alice

WE HIT IT OFF RIGHT AWAY.

Her name is Katherine Alice Shrewsberry. Her parents are Kirsten and Garrett and she was just born into the world less than two months ago. Her mother is ever so happy to put this photo in the Catholic Connection because Kirsten is the new editor of the Catholic Connection The photo was taken on the day of Katherine’s baptism in the Cathedral Church, March 4th. Other than when I poured some of the baptismal water over her eyes, she was perfectly still and quiet and seemingly ready to be consecrated to God in her baptism. Someone asked me how many baptisms I have performed over the years. My head tells me that it was actually Jesus who baptized her through me, but I think they were asking about which number she is – over three thousand, I am sure. We had originally scheduled her baptism for Easter Sunday, but Katherine had a medical procedure that had us move the date up a couple of days – she’s fine now and recovering nicely. So, when I was sent this photo of the two of us, I knew her mom wouldn’t mind if we posted it in the Catholic Connection . I have looked at this photo every day and it has made me aware of all of our new brothers and sisters who, at the Easter Vigil, received the same baptismal sacrament, and became as pure and as holy as little Katherine did on this day, how together with all the newly baptized she became an adopted child of God, sealed with an indelible mark as a Christian, and forever changed from the inside out. I think the photo tells it all: we hit it off right away! May all those who joined her at the Easter Vigil and beyond experience the grace of knowing that they now belong to God!