First Communion Celebration

Today was a very special day for Emilie. She received her first communion sacrament at church today. She has been attending CCD (Sunday School) regularly for the past year in preparation for this event. Three weeks ago she had her first reconciliation with Father Dave from our parish. We had a practice ceremony yesterday so that the 18 children could go through what they were expected to do this morning. We all arrived at the church at 8 am so that we could take a couple of family pictures marking the occasion. After that the first communicants were taken to the sacristy to prepare for their entrance. With a very crowded church, full of relatives who have traveled many miles to Belgium for this occasion, the mass began. Each child entered the church carrying a lit candle to signify their Baptismal promise. After hearing the Baptismal Rite they extinguished their candles and mass began. Emilie was chosen to be one of four children to present the gifts to Father Dave during the offertory. After the consecration of the Eucharist and wine the children lined up to receive their first communion. Emilie was a bit nervous but collected herself and did a fantastic job. She really liked the Precious Blood the most. After the mass the congregation had purchased celebratory cakes with each child's name on them. Along with that they received a blessed crucifix and prayer card. Since it was Emilie's big day she got to pick where we went for lunch. We went to her favorite Greek restaurant so that she could have "feta chaud" (hot feta cheese with olive oil and bread). At the completion of lunch we headed home for some relaxation and dinner. Emilie was a beautiful little lady today and should be proud of this step in her religious education.