Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We’ve arrived at one of my personal favorite moments in the parish for the year. It’s the first weekend in May and that can mean only one thing: it’s time for our First Holy Communions. It’s another big year for us here at St. Charles, with over one hundred children receiving the Eucharist for the first time on Saturday. With three Masses, one at 9AM, one at 11AM, and one at 1PM, it’s going to be a full day for all involved. But it’s such a happy occasion that always brings so many families together to participate in this celebration of God and His Presence in our lives found in the Eucharist.
Personally, it’s a bit hard for me to put into words exactly how I feel about First Holy Communion. Not because there isn’t much to say about it, but rather, that there’s too much. My heart swells throughout the day itself, knowing that these little ones get to encounter our Eucharistic Lord for the first time and what a privilege it is to be the one to present the Eucharist to them.
In order to help express the joy and excitement I feel about this particular celebration, I cannot help but think of the words of Christ Himself. In the Gospel of Luke, in the moments within the Last Supper, He says to the disciples, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you…” There’s a longing that is expressed here to share in a meal together, but not just any meal, but the one that established and made present the Eucharist for those first believers and us. It expresses connection, affection, and a desire to share on the part of Our Blessed Lord. And that same desire, I feel in some small measure when I share the Eucharist with our 2 nd graders for the first time.
To perhaps further explain what it is that I feel, of how important and special First Holy Communions are to me, I can borrow from another celebration of a Sacrament. In the introduction of Baptism, the minister says the following, “Your family has experienced great joy at the birth of your child, and the Church shares your happiness.” It goes on to say that such joy has now brought them to the church for Baptism. And when I think about the happiness and joy that is all around First Holy Communion, that same principle is on display. For the children and their families, it’s a day of major celebration. But it’s also a day of rejoicing for the parish community too. And so, please join me in praying for our first communicants this weekend. That they might know Christ as their constant companion and cherish the gift of the Eucharist in their lives. May we all share together in the great gift of the Eucharist and the joy and grace found within it.
Peace and Goodness,
Fr. Dan
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