These children had prepared all year, reflecting on the
significance of the Eucharist, reading about saints devoted to the Eucharist, and
practicing how to receive the Eucharist.
Finally, their big day had arrived.
Unable to use St. Joseph Church due to roof repairs, these
29 second-graders and one third-grader, their loved ones, Father Chris and
Father Jose, St. Joseph School principal Sara Myers, and second-grade teachers
Barbie Carrier and Amy Doyle sojourned
across town to St. Philip Church.
St. Joseph Middle School students Hayden Schaub and Gregory
Garfield were waiting for them.
“We didn't have any siblings [of First Communicants] who
were trained to altar-serve at St. Philip and they both graciously accepted the
request,” Mrs. Doyle said.
The Knights of Columbus, in all their finery, led the children
into the church, which was filled to capacity. Each child carried a flower to
be presented to our Mother Mary.
Some students took part in the Mass, reading the first
reading, offering the petitions, and bringing up the gifts. Others said prayers
for deceased loved ones, those who couldn’t celebrate with them in the flesh,
but smiled down from heaven.
Father Chris and Father Jose concelebrated Mass, which underlined
for the children how special this day was.
“Father Chris gave a beautiful homily about St. Christopher,”
Mrs. Doyle said. “A few of the kids remembered that as a very special part of
the Mass.”
The children knelt as a group, while the Eucharistic Prayer
was said. They joined hands for the “Our Father” and shook hands during the
Sign of Peace.
Then, one by one, the children came up to receive Our Lord
for the first time.
Mrs. Doyle shared that some students were worried about
approaching the altar with arms crossed to receive a blessing instead of hands
cupped to receive the Lord.
But no one forgot.
After Communion, Father Chris blessed religious items loved
ones had placed near Mary’s altar as gifts to the children.
The children also gave a gift, singing “Follow Me” for the
congregation. St. Philip high school freshman Adam Sprague accompanied the
First Communicants on the piano.
“This song talks about our communion with Jesus, our uniting
with Him in love,” Mrs. Doyle said.
Blessed and happy, everyone gathered in the St. Philip
Parish Center for cake, congratulations, and, of course, pictures.
“It was a beautiful day,” Mrs. Doyle said. “All of the
children walk in with such holy anticipation. They were excited about being
dressed up and receiving Jesus.”
May it always be so for these children of God.
