Just The Ticket I Wanted

At 2:00 PM on Sunday, the second grade students who are to make their First Holy Communion, gathered in the church at St. Athanasius. The afternoon was billed as a Retreat. The children, as well as the parents were given time in the Church, the School Room , and the Fitzgerald Center (the Chapel).

Our group enededthe day in the Chapel. It was their that Mrs. Bambrick invited the children and adults to meditate, breathe, and invite Jesus into our Heart Room. The Heart Room is a special place where you can talk to Jesus. Hug Jesus. Tell Him what we did right and wrong. Ask for forgiveness.

A candle was lit on a small table in the center of the room. A loaf of Bread and a wine colored drink were also there. A CD player made it a very intimate place. As Mrs. Bambrick talked, she asked the children to recall a special meal, who was there, what they ate, and what was the occasion.

My thoughts wondered to April 12th, 2008. It was then that Fr. Bob came over to Rose Street to give Papa the Holy Eucharist. Fr. Bob politely asked him, "Tom, do you want me to break off a piece?". "No", he responded, "I want the whole thing." And that was the last meal Papa ever needed.

This special meal that the children will be receiving in 8 weeks for the very first time, will be very special. Prior to leaving the room, each of the children were handed a ticket. The ticket read:

Jesus of Nazareth requests the honor
Of your presence at a dinner
To be given in His Honor.
May 2, 2009

The ticket sits on our dining room table, a reminder of what is to come.

May your week be blessed.

Tim