Godparenting - Whats in a Name?

Hi all welcome to Friday, thank goodness....
Well I have done some online research as to the meaning of being a Godparent, as some may or may not know, Kim and Carl Nell have asked us to be Levi's Godparents. In this day and age with tradition going out the window for new more modernistic views, I thought it may be interesting to research what the meaning of the term Godparent stands for, and here it is in the original Catholic origin from where it stems:

What’s the point of Godparents? The Role of the Godmother and Godfather

I’ve been asked this more than once, so I thought it would be an interesting post. Catholics choose godparents for their children when the children are baptized. The role of godparents stems from the reality that it is a big responsibility to raise children properly in their faith. Especially today, when we are bombarded by materialism, it is important to have some assistance, a community of sorts, to help you keep your children on the straight and narrow. In addition, parents must constantly try to see the forest as well as the trees, so to speak, and godparents are further from the realities of everyday life – this gives them to ability to focus more on the forest, if you will. (Note: this does not mean parents aren’t directly responsible for this formation, it simply means that godparents can provide assistance).

The role of godparents is a serious role and not to be taken lightly. The Pope has noted that godparents should be examples “of solid faith, of deep prayer, and of active involvement in the Church’s life” in order to be selected as godmother and/or godfather. Godparents are expected to positively affect the child’s life in areas of faith and morals. In itself, this means praying for godchildren, and making constant attempts to discuss and influence the godchild on religious reality. It is a tough role that requires commitment on the part of the godparent in order to succeed.

Logically speaking, assigning a godparent for your child is obviously good. Basically, you get another faithful adult involved in the formation of your child’s spiritual life – are two better than one? In this case, yes! The role of godparent is taken too lightly by most parents; if you choose a disinterested person, all of the work in forming your child lies on you alone! Be sure to pick a faithful, trustworthy individual to fill this important role in your child’s life. Traditionally, the godparent takes over the parent’s role in the event that both parents die, although this isn’t necessarily the case today.

Well that is quite a lot to take in, but nevertheless is a honour if you are chosen as a Godparent, the hardest part will not to play and enjoy baby but to remember your purpose with the little life entrusted to you by the parents, to be a source of strength to both the parents and the child and to help out whenever is necessary.

Have a wonderful Friday all....