As we prepare for the academic year ahead with school and religious education classes just around the corner (yikes!), it is timely to have a reminder about the role of godparents and Confirmation sponsors as soon the numbers of baptisms begin to pick-up and our Confirmation program gets ready to begin.

For some folks, the importance and significance of just "what" the godparent/Confirmation sponsor stands for may get lost. A recent trend, particularly with the secular worlds approach to faith, leads many to believe that the person selected to be a godparent or Confirmation sponsor just needs to be a "good" person. Sadly, for some it has become an honorarium only. When people ask me if so-and-so is "O.K." to be a godparent or sponsor, I hear more often than not that the reason for their choice is "he was my best buddy in college" or "I've known her since I was six, she is like an aunt to my child." Great! Happy for you! But that's not the reason for selecting someone to be your child's godparent or Confirmation sponsor.

The individual(s) selected to be your faith representative to your child is expected to be a model Christian - someone who not only believes in God but practices our Catholic faith. They must be someone who, if hauled into a "Catholic Court" would ultimately be convicted of being "Catholic," so that they may be "an example of the Catholic faith to inspire your child in the ways of faith."

It is a sad fact of life that in our world today it is harder and harder to find a godparent or Confirmation sponsor since the world tells us that religion isn't important, that Mass attendance as a family isn't vital, or that commitment to commitments is a "thing of the past." But as sad as that may be, it should not influence your decision to select someone who will bring these values to your child. After all, you're attending Mass, you're taking your child to the Confirmation program, and you're asking the Church to baptize your child. It must mean something to you, right?

So, if our siblings have fallen away from the practice of the faith or if our friends believe that the New York Times or the Sunday morning news shows and a bagel are an equal alternative to worshiping God at Mass, then I say "look the other way" and see like-minded folks at the Mass you attend as your new sisters and brothers in Christ, as your new family and friends and ask them to be a godparent or a Confirmation sponsor. And if that seems too wired or too difficult, ask me or Kathi Bonner or Judy Pluta or Susan Zybert to direct you toward a like-minded Catholic, who I am certain, would be more than happy to help light the path of faith for child. "Be not afraid," after all, it is what the church family is all about. And, oh yes, in that Christian love we are called to be, remember to invite the sibling or the longtime friend to the ceremony, it might inspire them to think about "who" and "where" they are in your life.