Dear friends ... my step father was raised by non-practicing Lutheran parents. They never baptized their son, leaving that decision up to him. I was 8 when he and my mother married. Being Catholic, my mother wanted to be married in the Catholic Church. At that time, the priest met with them and explained that since I had been baptized Catholic, it was commensurate upon my step father that he respect and agree to raise me in my faith. He agreed and kept that promise. Over the years, he would occasionally accompany us to mass at Christmas and Easter. He also attended important events in my life, like the day of my Confirmation, graduation from both Catholic elementary and High School. I prayed for him to be baptized before he died. In his business life, a co-worker he admired became a Baptist minister. He considered becoming a Baptist but then realized that such a decision was based solely on the man rather than the faith. The years turned into decades and I continued to pray for him. Last Thursday, my mother called. My step Dad asked to be baptized .. a Catholic. I broke down in sobs of joy. 56 years of prayer had finally been answered!
My step father, Robert, will be baptized tomorrow, March 31. My daughter and I will be his witnesses. If you have ever doubted the power of prayer, then please take courage and draw inspiration from this event. God hears and answers all prayers. This is proof positive of that. Please join with us in offering up a Prayer of Thanksgiving for this tremendous blessing!