Congratulations to Our 2025 First Communicants
Thank You, God | Bea Cunningham, Director of Family Ministry
On May 3rd, 83 children from the Partners Program of Old St. Patrick’s, FXW School, and our Interfaith Family School joined us for the first time at God’s table when they celebrated their First Communion.
In Carol Luebering’s article First Communion: Joining the Family Table she states that the move from a toddler in a high chair to a seat at the table acclaims a new status: big boy or big girl. The move to the table brings new privileges. There a child can share fully in the family fare and in the table conversation. The move also brings new responsibilities. The little one must master the rudiments of table manners. Children who sit at the table are expected to contribute something to the well-being of the whole family.
Such is the way of the First Communicant. They have moved to the big table, learned new rules and responsibilities, and brought a world of new experiences to the rest of us around the table.
Just like a toddler’s move from high chair to the family table is a momentous event, so too, is the move a child takes when he or she joins us at God’s family table. What a cause for celebration and for giving thanks!
83 children, their families, and friends, learned that the word Eucharist comes from the Greek word eucharistia, which means thanksgiving. Throughout the bible there are numerous references to giving thanks including Matthew 26:27, Mark 14:23, Luke 22:19, 1 Corinthians 11:24 all of which recount that Jesus "gave thanks" before presenting to his followers the bread and the wine that he declared to be his body and his blood.
And how many, many things do we as communicants (first, or otherwise) have to be thankful for? Those who bring us to God’s table – our ancestors, families, teachers, and friends. Those who provide for the table environment – the priests, the eucharistic ministers, the readers, the ushers, the musicians, the architects, the furniture makers, and the fellow participants. Those who provide for the meal itself – the farmers, the bakers, the vinters… There are so many people to thank for making our table experience possible!
On May 3rd, our First Communicants drove home that message when they shared Janet Vogt’s special song of thanksgiving with their loved ones in the pews and on livestream…
“Thank you, God for family. Thank you, God for special friends. Thank you for peace and joy that never ends, we want to thank you, God. Thank you, God; thank you, God. With our love we want to thank you, God. Thank you ev’ryday and in ev’ryway; we want to thank you, God.”
How lucky are we as members at the table, that the table continues to grow! How grateful we are for these new communicants, for nourishing us, inspiring us, and adding life to our table.
As we celebrate the First Communion Class of 2025, we are reminded of all of those in communion with us. Here is a prayer of thanksgiving you can share with the entire family.
Blessed are you, O generous God.
As we come to this meal,
we remember to thank you for all that you give us.
We thank you for our home,
and we ask your care for those who are without shelter or food.
We thank you for all who work to bring this food to us,
and those who have worked to prepare it.
We thank you for this meal,
and for all who are gathered at our table.
We thank you for bread that feeds us,
and the love that gives us life.
Blessed are you, O generous God.
In Carol Luebering’s article First Communion: Joining the Family Table she states that the move from a toddler in a high chair to a seat at the table acclaims a new status: big boy or big girl. The move to the table brings new privileges. There a child can share fully in the family fare and in the table conversation. The move also brings new responsibilities. The little one must master the rudiments of table manners. Children who sit at the table are expected to contribute something to the well-being of the whole family.
Such is the way of the First Communicant. They have moved to the big table, learned new rules and responsibilities, and brought a world of new experiences to the rest of us around the table.
Just like a toddler’s move from high chair to the family table is a momentous event, so too, is the move a child takes when he or she joins us at God’s family table. What a cause for celebration and for giving thanks!
83 children, their families, and friends, learned that the word Eucharist comes from the Greek word eucharistia, which means thanksgiving. Throughout the bible there are numerous references to giving thanks including Matthew 26:27, Mark 14:23, Luke 22:19, 1 Corinthians 11:24 all of which recount that Jesus "gave thanks" before presenting to his followers the bread and the wine that he declared to be his body and his blood.
And how many, many things do we as communicants (first, or otherwise) have to be thankful for? Those who bring us to God’s table – our ancestors, families, teachers, and friends. Those who provide for the table environment – the priests, the eucharistic ministers, the readers, the ushers, the musicians, the architects, the furniture makers, and the fellow participants. Those who provide for the meal itself – the farmers, the bakers, the vinters… There are so many people to thank for making our table experience possible!
On May 3rd, our First Communicants drove home that message when they shared Janet Vogt’s special song of thanksgiving with their loved ones in the pews and on livestream…
“Thank you, God for family. Thank you, God for special friends. Thank you for peace and joy that never ends, we want to thank you, God. Thank you, God; thank you, God. With our love we want to thank you, God. Thank you ev’ryday and in ev’ryway; we want to thank you, God.”
How lucky are we as members at the table, that the table continues to grow! How grateful we are for these new communicants, for nourishing us, inspiring us, and adding life to our table.
As we celebrate the First Communion Class of 2025, we are reminded of all of those in communion with us. Here is a prayer of thanksgiving you can share with the entire family.
Blessed are you, O generous God.
As we come to this meal,
we remember to thank you for all that you give us.
We thank you for our home,
and we ask your care for those who are without shelter or food.
We thank you for all who work to bring this food to us,
and those who have worked to prepare it.
We thank you for this meal,
and for all who are gathered at our table.
We thank you for bread that feeds us,
and the love that gives us life.
Blessed are you, O generous God.
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One year of Religious Education is required prior to
First Communion Preparation. Old St. Pat’s celebrates the sacrament of the First Holy Communion at the second grade level in which students participate in sacramental preparation through the Partners Religious Education Program, the Frances Xavier Warde School, and the Interfaith Family School.
Contact: Bea Cunningham | [email protected] | 312.831.9351
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