4th Sunday of Easter

04-30-2023Pastor's CornerVery Rev. Robert J. Deehan, VF

For the next three weekends, at some of our parish Masses, we will welcome First Communion children around the table of the Lord. It’s been a tradition here at Holy Family for several years and in many other parishes to celebrate this important moment for these children, their families and the parish community in the context of the Sunday liturgy. As a Sacrament of Initiation, reception of First Eucharist marks the beginning of their full participation with us in our weekly community worship. It gives us all an opportunity to fittingly welcome these children and provide a loving witness and support as they begin partaking regularly in the Body of Christ.

Our children have been looking forward to this privilege for quite some time. A while ago, in another assignment, I remember being called to the parish school to console a second grader who had just received her First Holy Communion. Her class had a discussion about how it felt to be able to receive Jesus in Holy Communion at Mass each Sunday. As some of the children recalled their joy and excitement at being able to join the “big people” in receiving Holy Communion and to feel so close to Jesus, this little girl was brought to tears because she did not have the same opportunity… her parents didn’t take her to Mass after her First Holy Communion. She felt left out and saddened. I had to reassure her that it was not her fault. Hopefully, she could have someone take her to Mass on an upcoming weekend.

It’s a sad reality which is not all that uncommon. Still, you and I can help. We have a responsibility to these little brothers and sisters in Christ. First, we need to pray for them and for their families, that what they begin at First Holy Communion is nurtured and grows into a rich spiritual life with Jesus that will withstand the pressures in our culture to marginalize faith and the communal worship of God on Sundays. Secondly, we can make a special effort to go up to the First Communion children and their families and congratulate them, letting them know how proud we are of them. As we welcome them, we can let them know how much we look forward to their joining us at Mass each weekend. Finally, as a neighbor, relative or friend of one of these children, if their parents are unable/unwilling to go to Mass themselves, we can offer to have their child accompany our family to church.

Here are the Masses at which our First Communion children will participate: Sun, May 7 at 10:30am; Sat, May 13 at 5:00pm; Sun, May 14 at 9:00am; Sat, May 20 at 5:00pm; and Sun, May 21 at 10:30am.

God bless you!

Fr. Bob