This year will bring in a very significant event in our family. Joshua will be receiving the Holy Eucharist and I cannot begin to express the excitement, joy and emotions related to it. I will be periodically adding news leading up to the special day at this blog.
From the start of his school year, Joshua has been preparing – learning the prayers, attending mass every Friday and being coached by his teacher about what to expect during the two sacraments – Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist. Yesterday, Josh , his dad and I attended a mini-retreat to reflect on what will take place next Friday (which is the day where he goes in for his first reconciliation). We got to meet our dear pastor, who we knew 10 years ago and has returned to our parish. Of course, to start my emotions roiling, he looked my husband and went “God is good… look at you… a lovely wife and now a son ready to receive the Lord!”. I could feel my throat closing up.. ahem!
Anyhow, the kids watched a kids video of “The Good Samaritan” after Fr. W spoke for a bit. Then they made a cute little heart from beads to remind them to do good things to help become more like Jesus. I think by that time the kids had zoned out, it being a school night and all. The evening ended with the prayer of St. Francis and all in all it was very encouraging.
Mom and I reminisced how we used to be in tears at our first confession, this seems to be so much more “child friendly”. Anyway, I have been speaking to Josh about what he’s going to say to the priest next week and I’ve got the usual “pinched my brother, annoyed my dad, ignored my nana” responses which make me go “aww.. stay that way forever…”. More to come….
