Christos Anesti!
Alethos Anesti! A truly amazing Easter morning it is! I've been spending the week at my in-laws in Ft. Worth, TX with Christina (wife) and Lucy. It's been a wonderful experience. Christina's mom, Mary, runs the RCIA (Rite for Christian Initiation for Adults) for Children. She helps brings into the Church nearly 80 children (between the ages of 8-18) Catechumenates and Christian Candidates (both those entering for the first time and those entering fully into the Church by completing the Sacraments of Initiation) at the Easter Vigil. Her program has become so enormous that they've had to have all the children just receiving First Communion receive in May (those who missed the second grade prep for one reason or another). The Church last night was filled with the children and their sponsors. As the service started, in darkness, row after row of children and their sponsors filed in, filling nearly 20 pews. The other amazing part of the evening is the way in which this parish truly brings out the reality of the Church as Catholic. The area her parents live in is not predominantly Hispanic, yet the majority of the Catechumenates and Christian Candidates are Hispanic. So the service was interspersed with Spanish readings and music, and in the background you could hear all the little brothers and sisters fidgeting, talking, and crying (with a little help from Lucy too!). As each child was baptised, confirmed and received communion for the first time, their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and all sorts of other extended family members gathered around to watch and take a picture or two. It was a truly joyous occasion in a church filled with light and love.
The Holy Spirit is working miracles through Mom. She literally goes to the highways and byways seeking out those who have shown an interest (even if only a small one), inviting them to join. And starting the journey with Mom is no small task. The children AND their parents are required to attend classes every other week for two hours (only missing one at most!). And they for the most part all come and stick through it, discovering what it means to follow Christ. Her classes are filled with prayer, puppet shows, praise, and stories. Her dedication stretches out well into most weeknight evening where she spends most of her waking hours dedicated to making the process better each week for the past fifteen years or so. You can see the love she brings to the children, not only in her lack of sleep and long hours, but in her voice, strong and glowing, last night as she called each child forward to receive the sacraments with a smile on her face. Last night was bitter sweet as well, for it was her last. Come June Mom will be retiring (a feat in itself). I and St. Peter's can only pray that the next person to carry the torch will be as dedicated and loving in her commitment to the children. Mom lives the saying "Let the children come" in a way that I have never experienced before. Mom is truly a living saint! A laborer in the Lord's vineyard.
The Holy Spirit is working miracles through Mom. She literally goes to the highways and byways seeking out those who have shown an interest (even if only a small one), inviting them to join. And starting the journey with Mom is no small task. The children AND their parents are required to attend classes every other week for two hours (only missing one at most!). And they for the most part all come and stick through it, discovering what it means to follow Christ. Her classes are filled with prayer, puppet shows, praise, and stories. Her dedication stretches out well into most weeknight evening where she spends most of her waking hours dedicated to making the process better each week for the past fifteen years or so. You can see the love she brings to the children, not only in her lack of sleep and long hours, but in her voice, strong and glowing, last night as she called each child forward to receive the sacraments with a smile on her face. Last night was bitter sweet as well, for it was her last. Come June Mom will be retiring (a feat in itself). I and St. Peter's can only pray that the next person to carry the torch will be as dedicated and loving in her commitment to the children. Mom lives the saying "Let the children come" in a way that I have never experienced before. Mom is truly a living saint! A laborer in the Lord's vineyard.
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