The term Communion is derived from Latin communio (sharing in common).
The word "Eucharist" comes from the Greek noun εὐχαριστία (transliterated, "Eucharistia"), meaning thanksgiving. Most Christians classify the Eucharist as a sacrament. ~Wikipedia
I felt very ecstatic yesterday, Sunday April 29.
Well, I guess I was feeling it for my baby girl, Janice.
You see, she had her first communion yesterday. She's really been looking forward for this day. You could say that I was also feeling the same way. I am just not her ordinary mom making sure she attends religious education classes and retreats every Sunday; I am also her teacher! Yes, I volunteered in our church to teach the 2nd grade first Eucharist class this year! So, the feeling of an excited mom and gratified teacher both mix in had me overwhelmingly happy. I was also so proud and excited for my other "kids" and I feel their parents' excitement as well.
Janice was particularly excited I guess, because of all the attention she seemed to get from people around her. For one, Nana and Popcorn (her best friend's Grace's grandparents) drove all the way from New York ~ amidst rain and thunderstorm and maybe jet lag from their recent stay in Puerto Rico ~ in time to celebrate with her this special day. The night before, Grace and family (Dad Jim, Ms. Nora, Nana and Popcorn, of course) brought us to a very lovely dinner. The girls had a blast and we, adults had a good time just catching up with how life is treating us or maybe, how we are treating life! (This is bytheway, after about 3 hours of "pre-catching up"!) The Goode's gifted Janice with a gorgeous Blessed Mother/Sacred Heart necklace which I am very sure she will cherish forever. Janice is actually very good in taking care and keeping gifts she receives even if it was a simple note or card. When we got home that night, Janice kept reminding me not to forget to have her "swimming stuff" ready not to mention her communion outfit. Did I forget to mention that Sunday, April 29 was a busy day for us? Janice's first taste of the Eucharist was on our usual 1030 AM Sunday mass. By 1 PM, she should be in Hampton (around 15 minutes drive) to compete for the Hampton Roads YMCA All-Star Swimming Championships! Thus, we didn't have any thing planned for a "celebration" after the mass. So, I had her white dress and veil and shoes laid out ready for the next morning. I took pictures of them, too ~ you know? The kind of pictures they take for bridal dresses! In addition, I didn't forget to have her swimsuit, cap and goggles all packed not to mention all the little stuff such as towel, shampoo, change of clothes and snacks, and ... drinks! Oh, no, I signed up to contribute drinks for the concession! That I forgot... ooppps! But for as long as Janice has her "own" drink, I guess it won't be a big deal (my thinking actually was, with so many parents there, who would notice that "I" didn't bring my share?). Of course, Janice is not the only one who has to look good on this one special day. So, at almost 12 midnight, while my beautiful family is somewhere slumbering in limbo on their very comfortable, inviting beds, I was frantically looking for matching shoes and socks and jewelry and everything for my clothes and Cris' and Enad's, too! And what do I know, my lovely boys' clothes needs ironing, aarrggh! Oh, well might as well do it right then since having it postpone for the next day would just not make me "relax" in limbo! I was up at 6AM! After countless gulp of water, hoping to put me to sleep and of course countless trip to the bathroom, too! I was really up! But Cris still, as always, beat me to it! Coffee was hot and freshly brewed, cameras were all lined up for recharging, and he's nowhere in the house! I called his cell phone and he was at Wal-Mart to get more tapes for his cameras (yes, he can't miss this special day without his cameras!). Might as well get some doughnuts on your way home, ok?
After hanging up, I mentally checked if I had everything ready. Except for putting the drinks (for J’s snacks), I knew I had everything taken cared of. But I was still feeling uneasy. “What is it?” I asked myself. Oh, no it’s not what? it’s who? My best friend Cynthia is in town with her three boys. I have to call her so she could come to the house before the mass. It was 730 A.M. when I called her cell phone and true enough, they were still in bed! “Hurry up,” I told her, “somebody’s got to fix J’s hair!”
And so she did when they finally made it. I haven’t seen her boys for quite sometime and they’ve really grown. Janice so happy to see them, I know, because she wanted to play Pokémon amidst the chaos I felt was starting to build up. She had a dress and shoes on alright but her hair is still a mess. I started brushing and attempted to curl her hair with the curling iron but I was a hopeless case. As soon as said hi to the boys, I gave Cynthia the heated curling irons and I pretended to be busy with giving her boys breakfast (yup, donuts and orange juice!). I don’t think I even said hello to her.
We got to the church just in time for last minute instructions from the deacon. While listening, I saw Enad walking in (as usual, we can’t wait for him to get up and be ready to ride with us) followed by the Goode’s. I motioned them that we already have seats reserved for them.
So, the procession was about to start. What was the last minute instruction again? Oh, well… Janice’s nametag said #7. So, no big deal, we’ll just follow #6. However, when we walked in to the church lobby to get in line, Deacon Mike motioned Janice to the head of the line! So, what do we do again? Where do we go? Turn left or right? I discreetly left Janice in line and went to look for Ms. Nancy, Deacon Mike’s assistant. Yes, we turn left and form a U-shape in front of the congregation. “And Ms. Fe”, she said, “don’t blow this, you’re also their teacher, remember?” Funny, but the word teacher magically gave me more confidence. Gosh, I was more nervous than the kids. Back in line, I turned to everybody behind me and motioned all of them to smile and everything will be alright. Yay, the teacher in me! The parent in me was still in chaos!
As we faced the congregation, I saw my brother Eric and family sitting on the second row of section 3. Section 3? Oh, no again! (Are you beginning to count these now?) I have to minister in section 3 for the communion. Was I assigned bread or cup? Oh, yah it’s bread!
I was really glad that I have to serve not just because it’s an honor to be a Eucharistic minister. Before the communion, the ministers joins father Jim in the altar as blesses the bread and wine. When the names of the first communicant were called one by one, I had a good view of all the kids walking from the back to the front to get their first taste of bread and wine. I was so proud of the kids, Janice especially. Yet modesty aside, I was proud of myself thinking that these are my “kids”. I was there with them to practice bowing and saying “Amen”. I instilled in them that Amen means “I believe”. I reminded them left hand on top, right hand to place the bread in your mouth. I was a part of that one special occasion in their life. I was ecstatic! I felt so blessed! I sensed a feeling of oneness with the kids and their parents as well. We were all nervous yet the feeling of calmness was there. I was thankful for this opportunity to teach these kids. I want this feeling! I love this feeling! I felt fulfilled! I’ll do it all over again!
The mass ended with kids and parents marching out with Father Jim. And the endless congratulations and picture takings begun!
The parent in me sunk in when we were told to not congregate in front of the altar anymore. That’s when I noticed we were the only left! That’s when I realized we still have another madness to go through: swim meet!
The goodbyes and thank yous to everybody took another 20 minutes or so. But we really have to go!
Back home, in between changing clothes and munching pizza, Janice said, “That was fun.” She said she really liked her first communion. Oh, she still says that the host tasted like cardboard and the wine needed more sugar. But she’s looking forward to the next Sunday mass. She would no longer just stay in her seat while we line up for bread and wine. She would no longer be just an audience to the rituals we go through in joining the community for the Eucharist. She would now be bowing, too with left had on top and right hand taking the bread to her mouth. She would now be saying Amen because she really believes. She would now be one with us in celebration of thanksgiving as we all share the significance of the Last Supper.
