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.
Well, having been made aware of netmilsmom's super-duper parish I recognize the deficiencies in my own. But the pastor is a great one, an uninhibited lover of Christ, unrelenting teacher of the faith ( crucial, because modern Catholics are oblivious, it seems ), and....well...probably the best priest I have encountered in my lifetime. It is rare for a priest to be entirely orthodox, articulate, and affable, and warm, and wise, and witty, and strict, and be able to sing in tune as well. He is a grace-filled man that uses his numerous assets to their maximum potential. As you may know, I was a long time indultee before this priest lured me into his parish, and I give him enormous credit for knowing exactly what buttons to push.
The idea of continueing to wear the communion clothes was fantastic. There is nothing as beautiful and sweet and pure as a young girl in her white communion dress, and veil, and gloves......the sight induces tears of joy. Prolonging that joy is a rich, rich gift.
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.
I am so not surprised. I am so familiar with your faith journey and what you have shared about your priest, that it seems natural that ya'll would do it up right. Maybe my priest reads your posts. :o)
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!
Bravo! This has been a long-time practice of our home-schooling group (and hugely popular). Our priest did the very same thing this past All-Saints Day, the "saints" processed into the Church with him. God bless you for introducing that practice into your parish. Frankly, I think a healthy knowledge of the saints can do enormous good. If I were a high school administrator, I would create a class on the saints. Those are the real role models, the friends of Jesus who encompass the vast variety of ways to serve and sacrifice for our Lord.
Thank you for sharing the experiences from your parish. God bless you, and your whole family. May your children grow strong in their faith.
Thank you. God bless you.