Evie's Christening

Mum Rebecca and Evie ( third from left)  my nephew Chris is far right


Being  middle aged old poofs, we are not really used to Christenings.As far as I recall they can be rather stiff affairs with one half of the congregation trying to look sombre as a host of small, scrubbed shiny children wriggle loudly in their parents' arms, desperate to be able to gallop around the aisles like puppies around a garden.
My great niece,Evie, was Christened today in Ormskirk's Catholic Church . At the very start of the proceedings the affable elderly priest,Fr Godric Timney, underlined just how informal he wanted things to be, and I suspect most of the congregation was just a little surprised just how informal it would be as he chatted away to us, the God Parents ( who her quizzed good naturedly about their roles) and to all of the children present, who he called up to the front of the church to participate in the proceedings.
Several of the children were given "jobs" to do. One was sent for the anointing oil, another held the Christening stole whilst another was sent packing to get the candles. It was a delightfully informal affair.
Towards the end of the "get together" ( I hesitate calling it a service), Evie, overshadowed the chattering kids at the front by crying away quite lustily and the Priest, who was obviously an old hand at these things sang out
"Bawl away Evie, I don't mind, for I have the microphone!!!"
It was lovely.
After the service we joined around 80 guests for a cracking meal at a local restaurant and by late afternoon we were winging our way back over the Welsh Border, both Chris and I asleep in the back of my sister's car, like a pair of big toddlers in our booster seats



and all I drank was diet coke!

24 comments:

  1. All a bit much for you?
    Jane x

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  2. Did you get through the whole thing without farting?

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  3. not a single PARP could be heard thomas!

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  4. I have only ever been to one RC christening and it was exactly the same John. There seemed to be hundreds of children there and they were all milling about enjoying themselves and nobody seemed to mind. The only thing a bit 'off' was the child was christened 'meadow blamey' - I was not sure it was a name I would have chosen.

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  5. What is striking here is how similar (and yet some ways different) your experience today was with that of families seven hundred years ago:

    “The priest...ascertained the child’s name and the godparent’s qualifications...anointed it with holy oil. The ceremony was completed at the altar with the godparents making the profession of faith for the child. The christening party then repaired to the parents’ house for feasting and gift giving” (Gies and Gies, p118-19)

    Nx

    PS. I don’t think they had Diet Coke in 14th century England...I guess that Columbus didn’t bring it back to Europe from the Americas until 1492...!

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  6. Sounds very laid back.

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  7. God bless little Evie - sounded lovely

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  8. It sounds like a lovely Sunday.

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  9. Lovely. And yes God bless Evie.Cx

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  10. A full stomach, warm sun, motion, tire noise--it gets to the babbies every time. A lovely Sunday. God bless the children.

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  11. A Sunday nap is a must for me, no matter where I am!

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  12. Glad you had a good time, John. :o)
    Have a great week!

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  13. Sounds like a great service.

    I don't blame the pair of you for napping on the way back. It's lovely to have a midafternoon snooze--i mean to take one some time before the year is out.

    megan

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  14. Just the way it all should be.

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  15. Sounds like the perfect service. A relaxed/experienced, a fun priest, and some good food!

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  16. what a handsome man!

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  17. I'm somewhat against signing-up babies for membership of an organised religion. Shouldn't they be allowed to make up their own minds at a later age? Not my cup or tea (or diet Coke).

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  18. How refreshing. You are looking younger & younger John - is Diet Coke your secret ?

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  19. not like you cro to sound so judgemental of others!

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  20. "diet" coke = first mistake!

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  21. Liverpool Daily Post

    Police were called to a disturbance at the exclusive Este Restaurant in Ormskirk this Sunday afternoon. A spokesman said a warrant has been issued for the arrest of three middle aged men and a woman from North Wales following a pink balloon fight. The offenders were last seen skipping down the dual carriageway towards Liverpool.

    Ann x

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  22. Still got my balloon x

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  23. Anonymous2:35 pm

    Not scruffy! You clean up real nice, John.
    Dia

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I love all comments Except abusive ones from arseholes