Last Wednesday was registration night at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Cochrane and area families gathered to sign their kids up to study and receive the Eucharist (first communion), confirmation and reconciliation.
Which means I braced myself to answer some questions that night en route. You know, stuff about God and Jesus and basically, “remind me again why I am doing this?”
I spent an entire car ride home from somewhere once discussing Noah’s Ark with my older daughter, who seemed more interested in delving deeper into matters of religion after we had watched the movie Evan Almighty.
As they say, though, each child is different, so I’m thrown a whole bunch of softballs on the ride to the church on this night.
“Do I get to wear a white dress?”
Very important question, I suppose. Answer was ‘yes,’ but not tonight so don’t worry about it.
“Is there going to be food?”
Each Sunday following mass — confession time, we don’t go regularly — some edibles and drinks are laid out in the lobby at St. Mary’s for parishioners to enjoy while they greet others before rushing off to watch football on TV.
“I’m guessing not tonight, dear.”
There was some cranberry juice, so she had a half-glass to quench a thirst that had followed a brief but hectic period of running around while I sat with other parents and listened to an introductory talk from Father Bill Corcoran.
Next question and I have no idea where this came from:
“Do boys get to go to first communion?”
Wasn’t expecting that one. Must be bracing herself to be annoyed by the boys at church, as is the case with school.
“Yes, boys get to go to first communion.”
“Did you?”
“All Catholics do. You’re Catholic, by the way.”
Next question was about ringing the bell. The church has a beautiful bell and the kids are all allowed to pull the rope after mass. If you’re wondering why you can hear the bell clanging and clanging each Sunday at around 12 o’clock, that’s why.
“You might not get to ring the bell. There’s going to be a lot of kids there, so there might be a long lineup.”
“Oh, I’m going to get my turn. Don’t worry,” she replied.
Turns out the rope was tied up out of reach, so no one got to ring the bell.
We were all given a book that explained everything. We took it home and will study it with our kids over the next few months. All the tough questions will be answered, whether they are asked or not.
My daughter will receive her first communion in the spring.
She will wear a white dress, which may have a cranberry juice stain on it when all is said and done. She may get to have a bite to eat afterwards too.
Maybe she will get to ring the bell with the other kids. And, for sure, there will be boys there.
