In an area where the Catholic population is only 2%, it is a joyous day to have 18 young boys and girls making their First Holy Communion. It was a full Sunday with First Communions at two parishes and three different masses. First it was 9:00am Mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Four students with beaming faces from Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish pose with Sister Elena. This was a joyous occasion on which to introduce bits of the Hispanic culture to the parish.
Then St. Francis of Assisi had the 11:00am Mass.
Sister Kathleen who is the Coordinator of the combined Faith Formation Program for St. Francis and Immaculate Heart parishes, created an attractive and symbolic arrangement in the back of church.
Sister Elena poses with two of her students; one in her second grade class at St. Francis and the other in her Faith Formation class.
All is in readiness and Mass begins.
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- The Offertory was a special event today for these two young people.
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- Father Greg gave out the certificates and presented our students to the congregation.
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- Reception of the lighted candles.
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- A prayerful time for these two young ones.
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- Oh, Happy day!
And finally the 1:30pm Spanish Mass at St. Francis of Assisi.
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- All in eager anticipation for Mass to begin.
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- The Hispanic community has the largest number of Communicants celebrating.
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- Sister Elena poses with her two Hispanic students from St. Francis School.
What is such a day without celebrating with food?
After each Mass at each parish there was a nice social for families and friends to share together. Here is a sample following the Spanish Mass. The cake contained the names of each of the children. It looks like Sisters Mary Ann and Kathleen got in on the action!
