I cannot believe how fast the little (or not so little) nephews and nieces are! From Shelby who turned 17 in March to the tiniest Kydall who is 6 months, it doesn’t seem possible that one of them is driving. Shelby still has not gotten her permit but I know some adults who have never had a license. Last Sunday, 8 year old Alyssa made her First Communion. It has been a long haul this school year with all the prayers she has had to learn and devise the meaning of. Then came her First Penance (I still think I made my First Communion before going to confession for the first time). And finally, the “Big” day.
As in year’s past, there was a special mass for the 14 communicants. For his homily, Father Art walked down the aisle and asked the children questions about their special day and the journey they had been on. He made an analogy to every person and and an old toy (that he insists is worth millions… check your toy boxes) called Mr. Machine. We are so much more than a mechanical robot programmed by a human creator… sounds like a lesson learned during more than a few hours of a certain sci-fi television series and at least the first movie (ZZZZ to that movie).
Following the distribution of communion, the second graders stood front and center and sang while they signed a song. Not the same song I learned years ago. Later in the day, the family tried to figure out how long the current second grade teacher has been at the Catholic school. Just a few years as she has led the classes of my 3 siblings and I (and this year marks my 20th High School Reunion).
After the ceremony, the family gathered at the banquet room of the local restaurant to eat and to celebrate Alyssa’s special day,
On a sad note, Father Art will be leaving our church in July after only a year. I had heard that he is not in the best of health and the burden of leading a number of services each weekend between two churches along with his other duties has taken its toll. May God be with Father Art wherever He leads him and his magical sax.
My prayer for your church would be that your new priest would be one on fire for Christ and who will be the instrument of many names being added to the Book of Life. 🙂
To be clear, I’m not saying your Father Art wasn’t- I don’t know him. It sounds like he made an impression on you at the very least. 🙂
I pray the same. You can absolutely tell that Father Art is passionate about what he was called to do using the gifts he was given. It will be difficult to top him! I believe that he has made a positive impact on our entire congregation.
I will pray for great things to come for Alyssa and Father Art!