 |
| Gemma's First Holy Communion banner. All the children get to design and make their own banners (our last name was along the bottom) and they are hung in the gathering space of our Church the week of First Communion. Gemma did the design all on her own, and we worked together on the actual banner. |
Our sweet daughter celebrated her First Holy Communion last weekend. What a glorious, grace-filled day! The day started with breakfast and some presents from mom, dad and brothers. Kolbe picked her out a card all on his own and a Mass/prayer book whose front matched her invitations. Aaron and I got her a reliquary for her St. Gemma Galgani first-class relic she received several years ago from a priest friend of ours. Both boys colored/drew her Holy Eucharist pictures, all on their own. So sweet!
Gemma's dress was the same dress that my flowergirl wore (almost) ten years ago, and it matched my wedding dress, so that was pretty special. My alterations gal worked her magic on it and it turned out so beautiful. I found her veil at our Catholic bookstore and it was actually attached to a barrette so that made that end of things so easy-peasy. Some curled hair and we were good to go! Mass was at 10am so we had plenty of time to get ready and make it to Church with time to spare. Our sweet neighbor brought Gemma a bracelet to wear with her dress before Mass (and extra tables and some beautiful flowers with which to decorate)!
 |
|
This was the
extent of our "decorations". Several pictures and other items
from Aaron's and my First Communions, Gemma's baptism items (her prayer book
from Kolbe is standing up right by her arm) and some items she made at
school in preparation for the sacrament, including a paper altar and priest
and her golden clay chalice. I was so glad Sams had one bouquet of
sparkle daisies left (I had spied them a few weeks ago when we were there), and the pretty statue in front of the flowers was painted by
our beloved cloistered Carmelite sisters.
|
When we got to church we had time to snap a few pictures with friends/teacher and get a family photo. As you can tell by the family photo, it was taken exactly 3.82 seconds before Clement decided to go on strike and pitch a very long (very.long.) screaming fit to express his dislike downright hate for the fact he had to sit with Grandma and Grandpa during Mass (even though we had talked about this all week and he had been very excited about sitting with them). Oh. My. Stars. It was humbling (and a bunch of other things), and I am so grateful to my parents and sister for juggling him during Mass, because the way they did the reserved seating didn't allow us to have siblings in the pew with us. All the first communicants were seated in order in their pews up front, and the parents were in the same order behind all the kids and then went up and joined them for the reception of Holy Communion. Gemma had the opportunity to receive under both forms and it was so special to get to witness and experience this together with her, just as we did her Baptism.
My sis took some "professional" pictures after Mass that I'll share at a later time, but here is a great shot my dad got on his camera. At home before Mass I kept on having no idea what to have her do with her hands when I took pictures. Then I got to Church and saw other people taking pictures and was like, "duh. fold them." Obviously a first-timer here.
We had a luncheon at our home (our very small home) afterwards and were so grateful for the gorgeous weather the day held. We have some great outdoor space in and adjacent to our property and were able to put it to good use! We were so grateful to celebrate such a special day with so many family and friends. Almost all our immediate family was able to make it! The second grade teachers even stopped by for a bit!
The flowers are the ones our neighbor brought (from her yard!) and the Rosary was also made by our dear Carmelites.
Clement's favorite part of the day was the water cooler. (Because clearly, it was not the Mass.) Don't be fooled by the fact that he is taking a drink. Our neighbor won't have to water his lawn for the next month after all the cups he dumped out over there.
I don't know what we would have done if had been cold and/or rainy. Seriously. So grateful for a beautiful day.
 |
| The jumper cables and hedge-trimmer in the background add such a classy touch, don't you think?! |
As I said on Facebook, it was such a grace-filled day. Experiencing the Sacraments oneself is obviously a very beautiful thing, but watching your children experience the grace and love of God in such a special way is truly a gift. God is good...all the time!
