My weeklong ministry train roared along tonight to St. Jane Church where I met with 2nd grade CCD students and their parents. These eager, bright young Catholics are preparing for their 1st Holy Communion in a few months. With child and parent together, we talked to them tonight about making this Lenten season an integral part of their preparation to receive Jesus.
In my address to the children we had time for questions and answers and I must say the children did not disappoint. They knew it was Lent and remembered the liturgical color of purple. They also knew that Lent was a preparation for the coming Easter joy. And they knew the crucifixion and the resurrection. I was very impressed.
So we got into their Lenten experience. Of course, they all want to tell me what they are giving up: Coke, chocolate, eating meat, gum and other things along those lines. And one little girl even reminded me that you could do nice things for Lent. So I asked and they responded: help mom with the dishes, feed my dog, be nice to brothers and sisters, do my homework.
The participation and seemingly age appropriate understanding of the Lenten journey was very heart warming. We also talked about using our poor boxes at the Church and dropping food in our food baskets. I hope mom & dad remember to help them participate in this part of their journey.
The kids might not know specifically that we are called to prayer, fasting and almsgiving during Lent, but somehow they get it. And in many ways I think the evening was as instructional for the parents as it was the children. So as we send them off on this chilly Thursday night we do so with prayers for a family oriented meaningful Lent as they continue on their personal journey to receive Jesus Christ; body, blood, soul and divinity, in 1st Holy Communion.
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