[NYer]

We got a big blue plastic kiddie pool.

The baptismal "pool" from Colleen's parish. Also doubles for the blessing of the animals.

[american colleen]

LOL! Although ours is one of those rectangular ones and I don't think you need a leash as the sheep go willingly.

I was looking around for some funky baptismal pool pictures to post here and came across this gem:

Catholic bishops and theologians say immersion highlights the importance of the baptismal ceremony, which in recent decades had become a simple rite administered to infants. In the words of the Rev. Richard P. O'Brien, who teaches theology at the University of Notre Dame, it "could be forgotten -- almost like a vaccination."

OK. I don't remember my own pre-Vat II baptism, but I was thinking of the baptismal scene in The Godfather and wondering what could be more beautiful and inspiring than the "old baptismal rite." So they jettisoned that in the 60s or 70s and substituted a blandish, nice ceremony. Then a few years later, they realize how bland it is and instead of (God forbid) reversing the steamroller and going back to what worked for centuries, they innovate even further, install babbling brooks for full body immersion to amaze and thrill the spectators. WHAT AN EXPERIENCE!!! WE WON'T FORGET THIS!!! IT IS SO RELEVANT AND TODAY!! I AM SO FULFILLED!!! what is baptism again???