May 6, 2011
‘You are my best friend’
Children write letters to God during First Communion retreat
As her mother Ranell watches, Blair Rexing writes a letter to God during a First Communion retreat at Sts. Peter and Paul School in Haubstadt. The Holy Cross second grader wrote, “You are my best friend.” (Message photo by Mary Ann Hughes) Click for a larger version.
By MARY ANN HUGHES (Message staff writer)
Sts. Peter and Paul School was transformed last week. It became a place where second graders could reach out and touch a saint, a place where they could write letters to God, and a place where they could prepare for their upcoming First Communions.
Ninety children, from Sts. Peter and Paul School and St. James School, both in Haubstadt, Holy Cross School in Fort Branch, and St. Joseph School in Princeton, began their First Communion retreat by watching “Grandma’s Bread,” a short movie about the importance of the Eucharist. The movie shows the importance of the Eucharist “even when our lives are busy,” said Becky Rexing, second grade teacher at Sts. Peter and Paul.
The rest of the day was spent visiting stations which were designed to teach them more about their faith as they approach their First Communion day.
At the “Saluting the Saints” station, volunteers dressed up as St. Simon Stock, Blessed Imelda Lambertini, St. Dominic Savio, St. Padre Pio and St. Catherine of Siena. The volunteers talked to the children about the importance of the Eucharist in the lives of these saints.
In the gym, the children had the opportunity to write letters to God.
At that station, Blair Rexing from Holy Cross School wrote, “I’m excited for my First Communion. Now I can receive Jesus every Sunday.”
She told God “you are my best friend. Whenever I need help you are there. Thank you for making me.”
In the parish church moms helped the children do a “church search,” Rexing said, explaining that they learned where items are located in church and what their proper names are.
Sts. Peter and Paul parishioner Jerry Woehler portrayed Jesus at the “Last Supper” station. This room was filled with tables and chairs, and the table was set with paper plates and small glasses of grape juice.
After children listened to the story of the Last Supper, Mary Alice McDonald talked to them about Jesus and his apostles, asking them, “What is your job as disciples?”
They answered, “Be kind.” “Share with other people.” “Do things without asking.” “Say nice things to people.” “Tell others about Jesus.”
She told the children, “You are his hands. You are his feet. You are to do Jesus’ work in the world, and help Jesus spread his good news.”
Parents from the four schools were invited to participate in the retreat. Lee Ann Kiesel attends Sts. Peter and Paul Church. She was there with her son, Austin. “It’s an awesome experience,” she said of the retreat.
Ranell Rexing agreed. She’s from Holy Cross parish, and Blair is her oldest child. “It’s really nice. It helps the kiddos get ready.”