Ghandi he’s not.
May 7th, 2008 | By Mike | Category: Papa PrattleMy son celebrated a milestone last Saturday. After several years of preparation he went through his First Communion (aka First Eucharist). He was very excited all last week, and was elated when the Saturday finally came.
For the last month the religious education teacher drummed into the class how important this day was in the children’s religious life Let me tell you, the solemnity of the occasion was not misunderstood by my son. Throughout the whole mass this kid did not crack a smile. He was focused, and driven. Because he is well spoken he was chosen to do a little reading in front of the congregation. He gladly accepted, but the teacher saw how solemn he was and kept badgering him about not being nervous. My son looked at him and snapped “I’m not nervous!” I apologized to the teacher and told him that my son did not get nervous for anything, and that he was “in the zone”. The teacher cocked his eyebrow and said OK, and fluttered off to do another one of his duties.
It was a great time for our family. We are all so proud of him, as we are his two cousins, who celebrated this milestone as well. (They are only a few weeks apart in age. My wife, sister, and sister-in-law were all pregnant at the same time.)
After mass my son waded through the crowd and found one of the deacons and pulled him aside. By the time I caught up to them he had asked the deacon what it would take to become a Sacristan (Altar Server). I was quite surprised, but happy at the same time. It seems like not too long ago I was bringing this little boy into church bundled in a car seat, and now he is making decisions about being more involved in our faith without any prodding. I drove home beaming with pride.
My son has his moments. Like the title alludes to, he’s by no means a holy man, but he does have his head screwed on straight when it comes to subjects like fairness, equality, empathy, sympathy, loyalty, etc.
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Hi Mike,
That’s a lovely story.
It must be amazing to see him take on aspects of the church and faith of his own accord.
If it’s not too cheeky, I’m curious how ‘leading’ are you regarding with your son and the Church.
Obviously you take him, and lead by example etc, but in terms of the faith & teachings themselves.
How ‘pushy’ (sorry, that is such a negative word but I can’t think of a more appropriate one) are you regarding your son and the church?
I’m curious because of your obvious closeness with the faith from a comment on a post of mine, and the fact I find myself with little faith, yet I would love to have some.
I have no idea how I could teach or lead someone in something I myself have little faith in.
Just thinking out loud.
All the best.
xbox4nappyrashs last blog post..A positive negative
Hi XBox,
I am ecstatic to see him wanting to share my “faith”. My wife is not a Catholic, but is a Christian. We occasionally go to church as a complete family (with my wife), but most of the time it is just me and the kids.
Think nothing of it (Cheekiness). I value and appreciate honesty, and directness. If you are asking whether I prodded him to volunteer as a Sacristan(Altar Server), the answer is no. His cousins are all Sacristans. My brothers and I were as well. My son knows this and, maybe, wanted to continue the “dynasty”. Either way it was completely his choice.
I actually don’t consider myself a very good Catholic. I don’t follow the teachings rabidly, but rather focus on the major “Rights” and “Wrongs” (aka Morals). I don’t make my family sacrifice when i fast or don’t eat meat on Fridays during Lent. I question many of the church’s doctrins openly, and have even been known to do some verbal jousting with the “men of the cloth”. So I guess I don’t consider myself pushy. I try to teach my children right form wrong, and how there is usually no “gray” area. We pray before meals and give thanks for what we have.
Regarding my comments on your blog: I did mention that I’ve probably broken every commandment, and still do. I am on the complete opposite end of the perfect spectrum. I have a really nasty temper, and it has reared it’s head on more than a few occasions. During those occasions I have said some very terrible things to the people I love. I don’t know how to ask for forgiveness. I’m proud. I know that to hate people is wrong, yet I still do from time to time. I’ve been known to talk about people behind their back on occasion, but, on the flip side, I stop and change flat tires for little old ladies. I take lost children to store clerks. I correct cashiers when they undercharge me for my purchase, etc, etc.. I don’t ask for a pat on the back, or monetary compensation, for the little good that I do. I just hope that the little good that I do is noticed for when the time comes to meet my maker.
I consider myself somewhat “learned” when it comes to certain intricacies of my religion. But, just because I know the edict doesn’t always mean I agree with it, or practice it. Hence the “not a good Catholic” quip. As I mentioned before, I just try to know the broad strokes of right and wrong, and try to do good as much as I can. Hypocritical, possibly. Enigmatic, absolutely! I only commented on your blog the way I did because I just wanted the other commenters to understand what the were commenting on. I was not trying to be “holier than thou”, because I have absolutely no room to talk.
Regards, my friend. I’ll talk to you soon.
Hi Mike,
I wasn’t actually asking as regards to his role as alter boy, but just in general.
It was really interesting to read your answers.
This topic genuinely fascinates me.
All the best.
xbox4nappyrashs last blog post..A watched pot
Cool story. My wife and I were both raised Catholic and I remember my first communion. That’s great that he took it so serious and wanting to become an alter server. I was one for years and my mom would even make me leave Mass to go get changed when they were short on servers.
Now that I’m older and I understand more about the Mass I’ve come to realize how important my role really was.
–Tyler
Thanks Tyler.
He is just growing up too fast.
Mike, that is truly wonderful. You must be incredibly proud of him, as well as happy to know you’ve “trained up your child in the way he should go.” Great job, you are an inspiration.
Toms last blog post..A Public Service Announcement
Thanks Tom.
Yes I am extremely proud of him. Let’s just hope he doesn’t fall asleep while he’s up there. I’ve seen it happen before.
For a boy to be so focus “in the zone” on something serious is tremendous! Sounds like a great kid,.