Yesterday I felt privileged to be part of two significant celebrations that involved young people from St. Gerard Parish. At 10:00 a.m. the second graders of our parish made their First Communion and at 7:00 p.m. I was one of the confessors for a penance service that was part of a retreat that about 60 parish teens are participating in.
The children who made their First Communion were so excited to be receiving the Lord in the Eucharist. They are aware of the precious gift they receive when they partake in communion. I noted their enthusiasm and expressed my hope that their parents, grandparents, older siblings and all present might recapture their own enthusiasm for and appreciation of the precious gift we receive in the Eucharist. I know I came away from the First Communion Mass with a renewed appreciation of the gift the Lord has left of in the Eucharist. I want to thank the second graders for that.
The evening Reconciliation Service was moving. A number of the young people on retreat are preparing for Confirmation and the others are regular participants in the youth retreats. I was impressed at the creative and effective way the retreat leaders, many of the them young people themselves, helped all present to prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It was also very clear to me that the Sacrament of Reconciliation was being entered upon with a sincere desire for God’s mercy and a genuine desire to grow into the persons God has called them to be. Again I left with a renewed appreciation of a Sacrament I too often take for granted.
I offer my heartfelt thanks to the youth of St. Gerard. You have awakened in me a renewed appreciation for special gifts God has left the Church through Jesus and the Holy Spirit.