This weekend is very special at St. Therese in that 57 young people are receiving their first Holy Communion. As you think about your first Holy Communion, I imagine that many of you have fond memories of that special day.
In our Catholic tradition, first Holy Communion is given in second grade or at around age 7 or 8. Children typically undergo religious preparation and make their first confession before receiving Holy Communion.
Naturally, first Holy Communion is a very special moment in a child’s life as he or she will receive the Eucharist – the Body and Blood of Jesus – for the first time. The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. That is, all graces flow from Christ present in the Eucharist and flow back to Christ in the Eucharist and Jesus is the beginning and end of everything in our lives as Catholics.
Given the significance of the occasion, children dress up by wearing nice clothing as we would for any special celebration. Girls typically wear white first Holy Communion dresses, while boys wear a suit coat and a tie.
Additionally, families give their children gifts much like they do at Christmastime. Popular gifts include Rosaries, Bibles, jewelry, and monetary gifts. While a puppy is always a nice gift, some thought needs to go into making sure your family can accommodate such a great gift.
The essence of receiving first Holy Communion is not necessarily about the clothing or gifts, but rather about the personal encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist. There is no more intimate moment in a child’s life than to receive the One who created and loves them.
Of course, our hope is that receiving first Holy Communion is not only special the first time, but each time they receive Jesus in the Eucharist. As a parish community, the Lord challenges us to pray for and support our first holy communicants as best as we can. We want them to receive Jesus not only the first time with joy, but each week so that they can grow in their dependence upon and love for Jesus in the Eucharist.
If you would, please keep all those receiving their first Holy Communion in your prayers! Ask our Lord to touch them deeply in this very special moment and help them fulfill their vocations!
The First Deacons
Along with the joy of giving first Holy Communion, the Church gives us the ordination of the first deacons in our first reading. Deacon John Allgaier was not in this class. Instead, he was ordained just a couple of years later.
The Apostles appointing seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, gives us the opportunity to reflect on the Sacrament of Holy Orders. The Sacrament of Holy Orders has three degrees (a three-pronged fork).
The first degree is the diaconate. Every bishop and priest is first ordained a deacon. In our Archdiocese, we have transitional deacons (they will eventually become priests) and permanent deacons (they will remain deacons). They are both deacons. If a permanent deacon’s wife passes away, he cannot get married again.
A deacon sacramentally represents Christ the servant. Jesus said that He did not come to be served but to serve (Mk 10:45). Liturgically, a deacon assists at Mass and can preach homilies. Deacons can also baptize and preside at weddings and funerals that are not Masses. They cannot hear confessions or anoint the sick.
In terms of charity and pastoral care, deacons lead charitable outreaches and visit the sick/homebound. The Church sometimes uses the language of “ministry of the liturgy” and “ministry of charity” to summarize how deacons help build up the Lord’s Church.
If you would, please pray for all of our deacons as they have an invaluable role in the life of the Church. Deacon John embraces and lives his promises to the Lord in the diaconate very well! Please also pray for our deacons and that many more prayerful and generous men will be willing to serve the Lord in this special way.
As we celebrate this special weekend, then, we thank God for those who serve to build up the Church, whether the little ones receiving their first Holy Communion or deacons symbolizing Christ the servant. May the good Lord always care for His Church and help build her up!
~St. Therese, pray for us!