I stood in purposeful position on the side of the sanctuary. In the warmth of our beloved St James Church I watched each and every face of these little innocents receive the Eucharist for the first time, pressing the memory into my heart. Inspired by their pure hearts, overcome with humility, I thought, “Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God.”
I am deeply humbled by the thought that the Lord has so generously allowed me to be part of this miracle of faith and love.
My thoughts take me back to our celebration of First Penance when the children were asked to light a votive candle and kneel in silent prayer as their parents stood by their side. I watched the faces then also and was profoundly awakened to the presence of God in simple prayer.
I am blessed to have had the opportunity to come to know and share faith with so many of the parents who generously share their affections and have allowed me to be part of these golden moments. The challenge to put the Lord above all else is greater than ever and the material world will always seek to separate us from the love of God. Some have succeeded by God’s grace and some still struggle to strike the balance. But I have witnessed such sincerity of heart and my prayer is that the children will lead them. Indeed they will lead us all.
Fillie Duchaine, CRE, St. James Parish, Red Bank