A Joyous Welcome for May Pene Woodman

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

It is with great joy that we welcome and introduce to you May Pene Woodman, the newest Christian in our community. May, the beautiful baby in the photo, was baptised here at Our Lady of Lourdes in July.

Baptism is a truly wonderful experience, it's the start of a relationship with God. With May, her parents and God parent's made promises on her behalf, they are the promises we all made at our baptism. During my christian life I have often repeated these promises at Easter as part of the congregation. However, nothing prepared me for the tingling and raw emotion I feel as a Deacon reading aloud these questions each time I do a baptism.

• Do you reject Satan?
• And all his works?
• And all his empty promises?
• Do you believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth?
• Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead and is now seated at the right hand of the father?
• Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?

It was after Paula and Tom, May's Mum and Dad, with the God Parents James, Geraldine and Georgia, answered "I Do" to all these questions, that water was poured over May's head and she was baptised in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

The baptism finished with special blessings for Paula, Tom and big brother Danny, who all promised to help May grow up strong in her Christian faith.

Please pray for our newest family member May Pene Woodman, and her family Paula, Tom and Danny.

God Bless,
Deacon John.


From Left to right: Danny, Paula, May, Tom and Deacon John.