Help! I Was Asked to be a Godparent...What's a Good Gift?

First and foremost, let me just say, what an honor! You've been asked to stand up and witness to someone's Baptism and to support the parents in raising their child in the faith. You may want to mark the day on your calendar, just like some people mark birthdays, and encourage your godchild by sending a little note each year just to say you're continuing to pray for them on their journey.

One really nice suggestion for a Baptism gift is to start your godchild with a nativity set. We carry the Fontanini collection which can be bought piece by piece and is a nice way to eventually own a beautiful nativity if you decide to add to the set each Baptismal remembrance day or each Christmas. The pieces are made of PVC (nonbreakable) so they are safe for all ages.

Also, along the idea of keepsakes, a sterling silver or gold medal of the child's patron Saint or the Guardian Angel with the date of their Baptism engraved on the back makes a nice gift. A rosary is a beautiful, personal gift. A cross or crucifix for their room can also have a plate put on the back with the date of Baptism engraved on it. A nightlight, a music box, a holy water font or anything with the Guardian Angel or a Lamb or Noah's Ark makes a nice gift. You may even want to give a statue of Mary or St. Joseph or the Holy Family. There are many wonderful ideas for Baptism at the store and we're always happy to gift wrap. Oh, and remember a Baptism card!

Whatever you decide on for a gift, ask the priest or deacon at the ceremony to bless it.

Hounds of the Lord Book Review

I cannot help but love the title of this book as well as the beautiful cover depicting many of the great Dominican Saints who by their preaching and their teaching and their example "enlighten and enflame the world". "For eight hundred years, the 'hounds of the Lord' have barked out Christ's message, saving countless souls and showing us how to live in the glory of God."

Author Kevin Vost tells a little of the life of each Saint but most importantly examines them as "thinkers, doers and lovers". I think the format of his writing is important, in that, many of the extreme penances of these Saints are difficult for us to relate to but their reasoning, their actions toward others and their intentions are things for which we can strive in our own lives. We are each made in the image and likeness of God and each called to "put on the mind of Christ" and to "go out to all the world" and preach the Good News of Salvation and to love one another. These Dominican Saints truly loved and their lives teach us how we too can love. These Dominican Saints were truly joyful as they served the Lord by serving others. The Hounds of the Lord is a beautiful glimpse inside the lives of souls on fire with the Spirit, of souls willing to carry that flame out and ignite the world, of souls whose energy and zeal for life is contagious. Consider reading this a little at a time on your own or, as I did, with a book club. Regardless, as you enjoy these Dominican Saints, "Let their example serve as inspiration, and (dare to) let loose the hound of the Lord within you."

Metal Artwork from Haiti

This angel is a great example of the use of drum barrels to create fabulous artwork we carry in the bookstore. It is easy to see that the head and near the bottom of the skirt are the large and small spouts in the top of the barrels. Crosses, nativity plaques, St. Francis plaques, angels and scripture verse plaques are included in the beautiful display of artwork from Haiti. "In the 1950s, DeWitt Peters, a patron of Haitian arts, was intrigued by the iron crosses marking many of the above-ground tombs. Peters discovered the blacksmith who had fashioned the crosses, soon to be renowned Haitian artist Georges Liautaud…and so began Haitian metal art. The original raw material was iron, but with many goods shipped to Haiti in 55-gallon steel oil drums, there was a ready supply of discarded drums for the artisans.

Over the years the number of Haitian metal artists has multiplied via families and mentor / students embracing the craft. The center of Haitian metal arts is the village of Croix-des-Bouquets, where the clang-clang of metal on metal, the hammers banging out the sculptures, provides constant music. The artisans start with designs inspired by nature and culture. From cardboard patterns, they trace their design with chalk on the flattened metal from torn-down oil drums. With chisels and hammers, they carefully cut and decorate the metal by hand. Each piece is shaped and smoothed, then the artists boldly and proudly chisel their name on to the metal sculpture." Thank you to "Beyond Borders" for the info. for this article.

Jujube Wood Rosary

What in the world is Jujube Wood? Several of our rosaries and rosary bracelets are made from a beautiful wood that comes from the Jujube tree. "In Christian tradition, the Jujube tree was identified as the thorn bush used to weave Christ's Crown of Thorns. Based on this tradition, Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land would take the branches of this tree home as souvenirs. The wood is heavy and durable and serves for artistic woodwork." How beautiful it is to contemplate the life of Christ and to pray to Jesus and Mary on these special beads!