First Communion Day

 As promised, a brief look at our day yesterday, Jonah's First Communion Day.

I have so many pictures, but just tried to to pull some of them to share with you all here. The weather wasn't perfect, but at least nice enough that the big kids could play outside with their older cousins. Besides, the day wasn't really about the weather, was it?

Mass turned out beautifully and Jonah was so excited for his big day. He was a bit nervous trying to remember what he was suppose to do and when, but everything went perfectly. Thankfully, he was also surrounded by family who loved him and helped him celebrate his very special day.

Mr. Studly walking into Mass and trying to pretend everyone isn't staring at him. He does not like direct attention on him by numerous people.

Toward the end of Mass, we had May Crowning of Mary. It's been the first time in quite a while that our parish did this and First Communion Sunday is a great day to have the children crown Mary.

Again, Jonah was just a little bit nervous.

But he did a great job! We had practiced and he wanted to be sure to get the crown on Mary just right. He did just that, he nailed it! He even was sure to slide the ribbons around Mary's shoulder and down her back. It was precious.

Beaming after Mass.

Many family members joined us at Mass and then later on at our house for lunch. Here's Jonah with his Godparents and both sets of Grandparents.

And his buddy, aka our priest, Fr. Michael. Jonah has been eagerly awaiting celebrating his First Communion day with him since he was assigned here last summer. He didn't disappoint. A beautiful Mass filled with memorable moments to make it very special for Jonah and the other 

First Communicants.

Another great family photo, even if the little girls aren't smiling. Gianna is a tough one to crack for photos taken by anyone but mom and Miss Margaret was tired already.

My sweet peas, my babies, growing up so fast. Special days like these make me realize how very fast time is flying right before my very eyes.

Of course, there was cake! (Thank you, Walmart bakery)

Another significant and precious sacrament celebrated in our household. I'll say it again, we just can't get enough of them. So many graces, so much joy and so many still frames, moments in time,  instilled within the recesses of my motherly heart.

Congratulations Jonah! May you always be drawn closer to Jesus in the Eucharist and desire to receive Him as often as possible.

Sacramental Mushiness

See these smiles?

These are pre-Sacrament smiles getting ready for Jonah's big day on Sunday, his First Holy Communion. How we love our faith and how we love us some sacraments at our house!

Since we can't ever get enough of them, we celebrate their beauty and the anniversaries of those special days.

Just this week we remembered Jonah's Baptismal Day (May 1st) eight years ago and Lily's First Communion Day (also May 1st), just two years ago.

Our parish is even doing May Crowning at Mass this Sunday. While it's been done in the past here, it hasn't been in the eleven years I've been a member. My kids have never had the opportunity to be a part of a May Crowning, but this year the First Communicants will be.

Since our small parish just has one boy (aka Jonah) and two girls receiving their First Holy Communion, they will be the ones bringing flowers to Mary. 

Any guesses who's bring up the crown and crowning her?

(homemade crown made by yours truly, not professional, but it's an act of love if nothing else)

Cue handsome boy of mine who's just a wee-bit nervous about being extra cautious as to not topple over dear Mother Mary.

Our house will be a flurry of activity and celebration this weekend and I'll be sure to post photos next week. You know you want 'em, don't ya?

Could you do me a favor and send Mr. Jonah a prayer or two on his special day? He would appreciate your prayers from near and far.

Go And Sin No More

While Cardinals gathered in Rome for the conclave, my son was gathering his wits for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

My dear husband even took off the day from work to make it more special and for Jonah to remember this day.

BEFORE:

He's ready!! There he goes....

And the choirs of angels sang and his soul rejoiced!

AFTER:

Can't you just see that glow??

We have noon Mass in our little parish on Tuesdays, so we celebrated Jonah's big sacramental step by attending as a family.

Jonah, with his first confessor, our priest Fr. Michael:

If you know my boy, you would know how creative he is. He couldn't let lunch even go by without a commemoration of the sacredness of the day.

A syrup cross on his Eggo.

How else can we keep the celebration going?

Water park with daddy, anyone?

(Insert photos here of big kids with daddy having fun at water park. Without the Momarazzi there to take the photos, they forgot.)

Once everyone was back home again it was time for Jonah's favorite, spaghetti, for supper. 

Finish the day off right with a bowl of ice cream.

I'd say we did good and made this a very memorable day for Jonah.

We so love our sacramental life.

A clean soul with a side of ice cream. *Bliss*

Special Day For My Beautiful Girl

Sunday was a special day in so many ways. As if it being Divine Mercy Sunday and the beatification of Pope John Paul II wasn't reason enough to celebrate, Lily received her First Holy Communion as well.

Up until the last minute I was fretting about whether I had done all I could to make the day special enough, perfect enough, for Lily to remember in years to come. Although the day started out cold, windy and gloomy accompanied by snowflakes on the first day of May, the day was beautiful and perfect in so many ways. Besides having family members join us at Mass in the morning, we hosted brunch afterward at our home with family and friends who knew the importance of the day in Lily's sacramental life. And at the end of the day, Lily was exhausted and said it had been a very good day.

Of course, I just HAVE to share some photos of my girl....


Waiting in the church basement, before Mass with her fellow First Communicants from the parish.

During Mass, with her First Communion candle during the renewal of Baptismal vows

Lily and the other girl in her class read the prayer petitions. She did an excellent job and wasn't even nervous!

The Easter flowers at church were the perfect backdrop for First Communion photos.

Of course, sometimes brothers are having a rough morning...and this happened to be one of those mornings for Jonah. Thankfully, we did capture this shot with Lily and he was smiling. It was the only one though. Oh well.

Lily and 'her girls', Gianna and Great-Niece #2 and #4. Even the crowd of onlookers were oohing and aahing over this darling group as they posed.

Although our church doesn't have the greatest stained glass windows, I did spot this one and thought it appropriate for the day.

And, of course, after brunch there was cake!



Congratulations Lily on your First Holy Communion! May it always be a day to remember and celebrate.

First Communion Gift Ideas?

Lily's First Communion is in three weeks and we're struggling to come up with a simple gift to give our daughter. We want her to have something to remember the special day in her sacramental life, but just can't seem to come up with the perfect idea.

I already know that our parish gives each child a rosary and that she is also getting a nice prayerbook from one set of grandparents. She has already received a pretty rosary bead bracelet with a chalice charm to wear that day. She also intends on wearing a gold cross necklace that she wore on her baptism day.

So, what do we get her?

It's also unique and extra special that on the day she receives Jesus for the first time, it is the Feast of Divine Mercy and also is the same day of the beatification of Pope John Paul II. I'm not sure if we should somehow incorporate one or both of those in the gift?

Please Help!!

What did you give your child? Any unique, inexpensive, memorable gift ideas out there? I'd love to hear them!

Forgiven

After much preparation, Lily made her First Reconciliation just before the beginning of lent. With the arrival of Gianna, the day kept getting pushed back and we were uncertain when it would happen. Finally, after talking with our parish priest again it looked like we'd have to wait another week. Lily wasn't having it. She was ready and she wanted the opportunity to receive this sacrament before lent. So, I made the arrangements to take her into church during the week when Father would be here for weekly confession.

It was so peaceful and special. It was only the kids and myself in church and Father had soft music playing in the background. Lily wasn't nervous at all and was ready to rush right in. After some time in prayer, I sent her in and she came out smiling. Upon leaving church she asked if she could go again on the following Sunday when we had regularly scheduled confessions at our parish. I told her if she needed to that was fine, but that as much as she wanted to go again she still should try her best not to sin. It was wonderful to hear her eagerness to receive the sacrament again, especially since just weeks prior this was the girl who didn't want to go and was nervous.

We celebrated Lily's First Reconciliation with supper and ice cream treats from Culver's that evening, so daddy could be a part of the special day as well. It was a wonderful week to celebrate since that was also the same week that Gianna was baptized. What a Sacramental week for our family!! Now we're looking forward to her First Communion in May.