My husband and I attended the recollection for parents of first communicants, my youngest daughter being one of them. The recollection was facilitated by a priest. He invited us to go back to the time when we had our own first communion and the journey to that time was a look-back to a time of innocence and complete trust in God.
First Communion
The First Communion of a child is considered a milestone in a Catholic child's life. In a child's mind perhaps, it is the excitement of being included in every Sunday mass' recipients of the holy host. My daughter will always come with me when I receive communion, hoping that the priest may forget himself and give her the host as well. (just kidding) This coming Saturday will be their First Holy Communion and so she will have her wish ever Sunday after that.
The Duty of a Parent
The priest reminded us that parents have the duty to be present in their children's lives and commended those who took the time to be present. Like in most parent gatherings, many fathers are missing in action presumably because of work and other responsibilities. By experience, the missing fathers will come in full force and all gadgets in tow during the main event.
Being present in every child's milestone is the duty of every parent. The priest summarized it in three words: ME, HERE, NOW. This simply means making myself available at this very place and at this time, not when events all over and done with. There is no replay or rewind in our lives. That is something we parents have to be constantly aware of whenever we are faced with hard decisions that test our priorities.
Collecting Scattered Pieces of Life
As we grow older, we get to encounter things, events, and people that change the way we think and act. Somewhere along the way, the excitement of going to mass and receiving Holy Communion fades. It becomes buried by other priorities and spiritual nourishment becomes the least priority. A recollection is an opportune time to gather the scattered pieces of our lives to make them whole once again to help our own children find their way.
It is my personal belief that our faith, whatever it is, serves as an anchor to steady our lives. We are unable to pass on to our children something we do not have ourselves. It is among the many duties of Catholic parents to bring their young children to mass because they are still unable to do it themselves.
First Communion
The First Communion of a child is considered a milestone in a Catholic child's life. In a child's mind perhaps, it is the excitement of being included in every Sunday mass' recipients of the holy host. My daughter will always come with me when I receive communion, hoping that the priest may forget himself and give her the host as well. (just kidding) This coming Saturday will be their First Holy Communion and so she will have her wish ever Sunday after that.
The Duty of a Parent
The priest reminded us that parents have the duty to be present in their children's lives and commended those who took the time to be present. Like in most parent gatherings, many fathers are missing in action presumably because of work and other responsibilities. By experience, the missing fathers will come in full force and all gadgets in tow during the main event.
Being present in every child's milestone is the duty of every parent. The priest summarized it in three words: ME, HERE, NOW. This simply means making myself available at this very place and at this time, not when events all over and done with. There is no replay or rewind in our lives. That is something we parents have to be constantly aware of whenever we are faced with hard decisions that test our priorities.
Collecting Scattered Pieces of Life
As we grow older, we get to encounter things, events, and people that change the way we think and act. Somewhere along the way, the excitement of going to mass and receiving Holy Communion fades. It becomes buried by other priorities and spiritual nourishment becomes the least priority. A recollection is an opportune time to gather the scattered pieces of our lives to make them whole once again to help our own children find their way.
It is my personal belief that our faith, whatever it is, serves as an anchor to steady our lives. We are unable to pass on to our children something we do not have ourselves. It is among the many duties of Catholic parents to bring their young children to mass because they are still unable to do it themselves.
My Say
When the priest asked us to reminisce our own First Communion, I felt a certain sense of melancholy. There was a time that I actually felt detached from my faith, a complete turnaround from the feeling I had during my First Communion. Looking at my picture then (above), I suddenly longed for the peace and contentment that I had when it was taken.
That said, I am always thankful for parents' recollections and other similar activities that remind us that the practice of faith is not mere lip service. It is about doing what we must do whatever role we have in life. For parents like me, it is about being good examples to our children and leading them to the right way.
