A Universal Call to Party

The Easter season is a time to think about baptism - and about launching a new family tradition.

http://www.wau.org/family/article.asp?id=4763

excerpts:

Celebrating Re-Birthdays. In 1997, Pope John Paul II issued yet another call to festivities: "We should celebrate the day of our baptism as we do our birthday!" he exclaimed on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

Rediscover the Gift. In his 1994 apostolic exhortation "On the Coming Third Millennium" (Tertio Millennio Adveniente), Pope John Paul called us to "a renewed appreciation of baptism as the basis of Christian living."

As the pope went on to say, celebrating draws our attention to the great gift of life in Christ: "But how many of the baptized are fully aware of what they have received? We must give a new impetus to catechesis, to rediscover this gift which also means taking on a great responsibility."

And it all begins, like most good things, in the home. Religion doesn't have to be dull or dreary or burdensome. The Catholic faith can, sometimes, be as fun, as crazy - and as memorable - as a family birthday celebration.

So: Anyone up for a party?

Jean