BAPTISM, dedication or christening is an important Sacrament in a child’s life.
So, 15 months after their wedding in 2019, Moses and Ella Ejime-Okereafor gathered their parents and friends today, December 29, to thank God and baptize their baby boy, Noah Chukwunwike Chukwugozirim.
In his brief sermon, the officiating Priest, Father Bernardine Nsom of the Catholic Parish of Annunciation & St. Edmund Campion, Bournemouth, United Kingdom, explained that marriage and parenting must be anchored on God and Love because there are no miracle handbooks or manuals.
Ella, Moses (middle) with grandparents Paul Ejime and wife, Adeline
A successful marriage can be described as a mystery. If siblings and family members are always at loggerheads, business partners seldom get along, while nations are in perpetual disagreements, conflicts or fighting wars, how can couples from different backgrounds, cultures or even rival races hope to successfully and peacefully live together for life if not only by the special grace of God!
Parents of baby Noah with relatives
Nsom drew from the scripture injunctions in Mark 10:13-16 where Jesus Christ blessed the children, warning that “anyone who does not receive the Kingdom God like a little child will not enter it.”
Edna Okereafor, Ella with baby Noah, Moses and Adeline Ejime
The cleric stressed that love, which breaks all human barriers is also required in parenting and character building, for children to understand they belong to the World, irrespective of various artificial differences.
Love does not discriminate, it forgives, understands, tolerates and knows no hatred.
Grandparents Paul and Adeline with baby Noah
Nsom administered the Baptismal water and Chrism (anointing oil) on baby Noah, lit the candle for the God-parents and blessed him along with his parents, grandparents, and friends that attended the solemn ceremony.
