Today our community celebrates our 2nd graders’ reception of First Holy Communion. To them, we extend heartfelt congratulations!
We recognize that this day requires the engagement and work of so many people. To the parents and guardians of our 2nd graders, thank you for forming your child(ren) in the faith. The family is often called the “domestic Church” and it stands as the first and primary place of growing in the faith. Indeed, we hope that this past year has also been an opportunity for the whole family to renew and deepen their appreciation for Holy Communion and the Sacraments of the Church.
We also thank our teachers and catechists who have prepared our students to receive Jesus in the Eucharist so well this year. Through their loving care and support, our 2nd graders have been looking forward to today with much excitement.
Our thanksgiving extends beyond our particular space and time as well. In our church, if you look to the left of the sanctuary, you will notice a statue of Pope St. Pius X († 1914) above and to the left of the ambo. Pius X famously said, Holy Communion is the shortest and safest way to heaven. In fact, he is the reason we celebrate First Holy Communion when a young person enters 2nd grade. When Pius X began his service in the papacy, it was common to delay First Holy Communion until young adulthood. Pius X, instead, earnestly desired children to receive Jesus in this way as soon as they could grasp the fundamentals of what, or who, they were receiving.
Finally, we have to thank our Lord Jesus. We recognize that He offered a once-and-for-all sacrifice on the cross for us and our salvation. But that sacrifice would need to be applied here and now. For this reason, on the night before He died, He took bread and gave it to His disciples saying, this is my Body which will be given up for you. We thank Him for giving His Church and the entire world His real and abiding presence in the Eucharist, making good on His promise to remain with us until the end of the age (Mt 28:20).
Peace,
Fr. Weber
22.IV.2024
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