Did I read that correctly?
You will love this.
My son just received first holy communion. He had to attend classes every Sunday....but the parents were required to attend four mandatory classes held on Saturday mornings as well, and were assigned great swaths of scripture to read, at home. When our children made their first confession the parents were required to make confession as well. Instead of all the kids sitting together to receive first communion as is customarily done ( I have never seen it otherwise ) the children sat with thier families, and the families all received as a family. Then he told all the first communicants to wear their beautiful white dresses and their suits and ties for the next three Sundays. He made them all attend 10:00 a.m. Corpus Christi mass, so that they could join him in the procession. All the boys, now that they have received first communion are required to be altar servers. No girls ever. When they make their first appearance as servers he makes a big to-do by intrroducing them to the parish, and boy do they feel special when they are applauded. My son begs me to take him to daily mass so that he can serve. My daughters want to sit up front so that they can see everything better, now that their brother is serving.
This priest really knows how to inculcate a love of the faith, the importance of the sacraments, and has the huevos to harangue if necessary. When attendance at rel. ed. classes began dropping off this spring, he let the congregation kknow of his disapproval. He knows how to get to the parents through the kids. A wonderful, wonderful priest.
May I ask, what parish are you in?
I thought that only my parish had Altar BOYS and still did Corpus Christi!
We have Altar Boys and Choir Girls....although my girls are shooting for Lector like their mom.
Well done.
Congrats to the wise priest. I would that pastors everywhere took such great care with the youth and with integrating them meaningfully into the core of Christian life.
You're right! What a great pastor and wonderful parish! I particularly like the idea of having the children wear their first communion clothes over the span of 3 weeks.
Instead of all the kids sitting together to receive first communion as is customarily done ( I have never seen it otherwise ) the children sat with thier families, and the families all received as a family.
Yes this is how it is done in our parish. We have children in Catholic schools whose parents think the children must participate in the school's First Communion group. Father has explained that "this" is their parish and "this" is where they make their First Communion. It is done as a family with encouragement to invite their relatives. The woman's society gives each First Communicant, a silver box with the child's name engraved + the date of their First Communion. Inside is a rosary, already blessed by the pastor. We also have a sheet cake with the names of the children, so the entire parish can share in the joy of this beautiful event.
All the boys, now that they have received first communion are required to be altar servers. No girls ever.
Ditto except we don't have enough boys so Father must rely upon some girls to assist. We have several Pre-K and K boys whome we are 'priming' for eventual altar service. FWIW, one of the older servers is 16. He is often paired with the new ones to train them. He received the Sacrament of Confirmation this year and takes his faith very seriously. We plan to have him teach one of the rel ed classes. Faith in action!
When attendance at rel. ed. classes began dropping off this spring, he let the congregation know of his disapproval. He knows how to get to the parents through the kids.
Yes!!! As my pastor often says - the children bring the parents. On the first Sunday of each month, we have what he calls the Children's Mass. Essentially, the children serve at the altar, do the readings and petitions, are peace bearers, and carry up the gifts. This introduces them to the different parish ministries and requires that the parents attend. At the end of the school year, Father invites the children and rel ed teachers to dinner. It might be a local pizzeria or pool party at one of the parent's homes, but it once again shows the children appreciation for their hard work and service.
I'm already gearing up for the Fall. This year, with Father's approval, I am asking the parents to introduce their children to the lives of the saints, have them pick one they like and make a costume to wear on All Saints Day. We will then have each child tell the parishioners about "their" saint. So far, the parent response has been very positive!
Thank you for sharing the experiences from your parish. God bless you, and your whole family. May your children grow strong in their faith.