Yesterday was a cool, overcast day -- in the 60's -- and the air was full of anticipation. When I awakened Kristina early in the morning, she said her stomach ached. I figured it was nerves as our little one is never sick. This was the day she was receiving the Sacrament of First Reconciliation (First Confession) prior to making her First Communion in May.
Over breakfast, we recited the Act of Contrition and this is when Kristina told me she was nervous about telling her sins to the priest on the altar in front of everyone. Oh my gosh...I would be, too! I reassured her that it would be done in private with the priest and that it's nothing to be afraid of. I omitted the fact that it's been many years since I have been to Confession...and that I have never done a face-to-face confession (only the kind in the dark confessional with the sliding screen in which I talked to the shadow of a priest!).
Unfortunately, Jon had to work so he was unable to attend. We arrived at the Church's classroom where Kristina's CCD class was meeting. Kristina immediately found Jasmine and there was no sense of nervousness anymore. At 9:30am, the children lined up and proceeded into the church. We were given instructions that no photos allowed in church so I reluctantly put my camera away.
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| Kristina and Jasmine hanging out in the classroom before First Reconciliation services. |
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| The walk over from class to church. |
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| A very pensive look on Kristina's face as she enters the church! |
I was so proud of Kristina. She sat there reverently...until I saw her raise her hand for her teacher and asked to go to the bathroom. I was only 6 rows behind so I whisked her away knowing that they were already getting ready for the confessions to start. When we returned, they were in full swing -- with children sitting in chairs on the floor below the altar talking to the priests and receiving the Sacrament. Kristina was right -- they were confessing their sins in front of the congregation, only no one could hear them because of the music and readings taking place simultaneously!
A few moments later, Kristina approached the chair and sat with Fr. Robert McNamara. He is such a kind soul and I remember Monsignor from the days when he was at our parish and married Jim and Erin! I could see Kristina talking to him and nodding --- and I began to tear up.
Why? Why was I suddenly overcome with such emotion? As he lay his hand on her head and said a prayer, I nearly lost it. As penance, Kristina was *not* told to say 5 Hail Mary's and 10 Our Father's. Instead, it was to hug her parents. She found me and I just held her. I loved that moment and embraced it as much as I embraced her.
NOTE: If you haven't read my February 21st post entitled "
The 'How I Got My Name' Project" - please do so (just click on the title here in this sentence). Then the next part will make sense...
Fifteen minutes later, they announced that they were opening up the floor for parents to go to Confession. Six rows ahead of me, this blondie whips her head around, looks at me with a smile and motions me to go up. My heart stopped as I winked and waved at her. The lady to my right and I looked at each other as she tells me she doesn't remember the last time she went. Someone in the same boat as me! But wait -- I haven't prepared! I'll go another time. I sat there....thinking...and then I turned to the single mom sitting to my right and whisper "
I'm thinking of maybe, actually going up there." She looked at me (mind you, this is a complete stranger -- we've never met before) and said, "
I'll go up if you go up." There --- that's all it took.
I waited in line for Fr. McNamara and went to confession. And it felt so right. My penance was to hug my child which I gladly did again. Upon returning to my pew, I sat next to the same mom whose comment encouraged me to go. After a sigh of relief, I said "
By the way, my name is Laura." And as we shook hands, she replied "
And my name is Ann." She probably thought I was half looney by the look on my face but having just written the post about how Kristina got her name and the meaning of "Ann" in our family, I knew that my Nana was looking over me at that moment in church. And I smiled. It was a blessed day in so many ways!
And now for the photos taken after the service ~ enjoy!
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| Kristina and Jasmine |
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| Afterwards, a reception was held in Fr. Grill Hall. Lots of bagels, fruit, cake and cookies. |
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| Munching down...on everything but fruit! Sigh... |
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| Kristina was so excited to see Gaby and Andrea! |
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| "And girls just want to have fun..." |
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| OK...this photo, taken from across the hall, gave me insight to 15 years down the road. "So I met this guy at a bar..." Oye. |
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| Two little ladies! |
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| Of course we had to stop by the Holy Family to take a few pics. |
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| Proudly displaying her RECONCILIATION ribbon! |
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| This is the spot where Kristina sat with Fr. McNamara to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. |
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| Last stop before leaving....Our Lady of Guadalupe! |
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| Kristina placed flowers on Juan Diego so he wouldn't be left out. |
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| We heart each other! |
