ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF CALGARY
  • Blog
  • About
  • Give
  • News & Events
  • Ministries
  • Contact Us
  • Parish Finder
Picture

May the Baby Jesus bless you

1/13/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
An early family Christmas weekend this year brought special blessings to our family.  My three children, their spouses, our seven grandchildren, my husband and I gathered at our family cabin at Pigeon Lake for some time together, exchange of presents and Christmas fun.  On the agenda was mass at 10 a.m. Sunday morning at St. Theresa’s Church in Mameo Beach.  Even though the little ones (seven children under five years old) were up at 6 a.m., it was still a scramble to get us all dressed, strapped into car seats and to the church on time.  With just minutes to spare, we walked through the doors of St Theresa where the ushers met us with warm smiles and a sincere welcome.  “Would you like to bring up the gifts?” they asked.  My husband agreed and said he would bring the four boys (all 3-4 years old) with him.

We seated ourselves at the front in the hopes that the kids would be more attentive.  Armed with coloring pages, stickers and some goldfish snacks we settled in.  Mass was beautiful and the gathering of parishioners was intimate.  There were a few squawks and cries from the front row but all in all the kids did pretty well.  During the offertory, my husband took the four boys to the back of the church.  Never one to be left behind, within seconds little Abby (19 months) was on her way as well, so her mom moved quickly to follow her.

The parishioners beamed as my husband and daughter walked up the aisle with the bread and wine.  The kids followed.  During communion, Father blessed every child individually as he placed his hand on each little head and said, “May the Baby Jesus bless you.”  As mass came to a close, the usher came to the front and asked if there was anyone with an upcoming birthday.  One of the ladies raised her hand, and he responded that we would now sing the blessing song to the birthday girl.  In the same breath, he turned to us and he added, “And I think we should bless this family and all the little ones who have brought us such joy this mass.”  The entire congregation raised their hands and sang the blessing song to us and the special parishioner.  Amazing!
​
As Father began his closing prayer he turned to our family and said, “These children are the future of the church, and we are so glad that you brought them all to mass today.”  The entire congregation applauded, and we were invited to stay for cookies and coffee and the decorating of the Church for Christmas.  As a mother and an educator, I know that early childhood experiences form children.  I also know that children are spiritual beings who instinctively love God and all of His creation.  Having my whole family together at this mass and to be so warmly welcomed by St Theresa’s community was a gift beyond words.  Thank you, St. Theresa’s for embracing us and blessing us so kindly.
By: Bonnie Annicchiarico
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Catholic Pastoral Centre Staff and Guest Writers

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018

    Categories

    All
    Advent & Christmas
    Art
    Bereavement
    Bishop Emeritus Henry
    Bishop McGrattan
    Book Review
    Care For Creation
    Catechetics
    Catholic Charities & Development
    Catholic Education
    Catholic Schools
    CCCB
    Christian Unity
    Climate Change
    Consecrated Virgin
    Conversion
    Covid 19
    Culture
    CWL
    Development & Peace
    Devotions
    Diocesan Event
    Discipleship
    Ecumenical
    Elizabeth House
    Environment
    Euthanasia
    Evangelization
    Faithful Living
    Faithfully
    Family
    Feed The Hungry
    From The Bishop's Office
    Fundraising
    Funeral
    Grieving
    Health
    Health Care
    Homelessness
    Indigenous
    In Memoriam
    Interfaith
    Jubilarians
    Lay Associations
    Lent
    Lent & Easter
    Liturgy
    Marian
    Marriage
    Mary
    Mass
    Mental Health
    Migrants
    Miscarriage
    Mission Mexico
    Movie Review
    Music
    One Rock
    Online Formation
    Ordination
    Parenting
    Parish Life
    Pastoral Care
    Pastoral Visit
    Permanent Diaconate
    Pope
    Pope Francis
    Prayer
    Pray For Peace
    Priesthood
    Prolife
    RCIA
    Reconciliation
    Refugee
    Religious Education
    Religious Freedom
    Religious Life
    Resources And Guidelines
    Sacred Art
    Safe Environment
    Saints
    Scripture & Reflection
    Seniors
    Social Justice
    Stewardship
    St. Joseph
    Synod
    Vocation
    Youth And Young Adults
    Youth Ministry

    RSS Feed

GET TO KNOW US
Our Bishop
Offices & Ministries
​Our Staff
Read our Blog
Catholic Community
​Lay Associations
CONNECT WITH US
Contact us
​Careers
​Parish Boundaries

News & Events
Faithfully
​Reporting Abuse
NEED INFO ON
Becoming Catholic
Marriage Preparation
​Vocations
Annulment 
Sacraments Prep
Catholic Funeral
GIVE TO
Diocesan Ministries
Together in Action
Feed the Hungry
Elizabeth House
Your Parish Church​ 
​Other Ministry

Catholic Pastoral Centre  | 120 - 17th Ave SW, Calgary, AB  T2S 2T2 | ​Phone: 403-218-5500 | communications@calgarydiocese.ca
Charitable Number: 
10790-9939-RR0076​. Donate Now.
  • Blog
  • About
  • Give
  • News & Events
  • Ministries
  • Contact Us
  • Parish Finder