I began attending St Marys church with my two sons, Cooper and Toby, at the beginning of this year. We were surprised and delighted to discover that we knew many of the families in attendance. Each of us had an immediate affinity with this church and the Jesuit faith, and felt welcomed by everybody at the Sunday family mass.
Cooper and Toby felt so comfortable at St Marys that they expressed a desire to be Baptised here. Edwin met us for weekly meetings with two other like-minded families to prepare us for the Baptisms. Edwin’s patience, caring nature and willingness to share his immense knowledge made our Tuesday afternoon sessions something to really look forward to. By the end of the program I was convinced that I wanted to join Cooper and Toby and be baptised myself.
Our Baptism day, Easter Saturday, was so special for our family. We had all been nervous in the lead up to the event, but once we were up in front of the church, everything seemed serene and still. Father Tom is such a delightful man. His humour and kindness made our special day even more memorable. A highlight for me was the beautiful chanting by Father Ardi. Cooper’s most special moment was the lighting of his candle. Toby enjoyed Father Tom placing the sign of the cross on his forehead.
Our Baptism service is a day that we will remember fondly for the rest of our lives. It was a huge step for us to take, but we felt supported by so many people along the way. It was lovely to have many family and friends present to share this wonderful experience. I was especially moved by the number of parishioners who approached us after the ceremony to congratulate us and warmly welcome us into their church. My family and I feel so blessed to have found such a friendly home.
Victoria Rands