Quiz: What does a perfectionist--whose house is currently having some renovations done and therefore full of workmen and dust--do when she finds out a mere 24 hours in advance that instead of her husband just going out to dinner with a priest passing through town that he's going to stay the night in our home and say Mass in our den on Ascension Thursday?
Answer: She scrambles! (But stays calm and peaceful in her heart, it was so surprising.)
One benefit to homeschooling and to training children to be helpers is that we zoomed through our school subjects in 30 minutes, then spent the whole morning cleaning the house. The little munchkins were a great help, got to learn practical cleaning skills, and learn how to be hospitable. Another benefit to homeschooling is that we took off the school day on Thursday, which allowed us to visit with the priest in a leisurely way and is good practice anyway: when I was catechized, the priests told me that it would be ideal if the husband could take off work on Holy Days of Obligation and the children school. (Bonus Reading: Fr. Z's Annual Rant About Ascension Thursday.)
A priest must say Mass daily and this priest travels so much that he carries his full Mass kit with him to say Mass wherever he is. So, today, that was in our home!
Chris moved the furniture around and made him an altar. Father said he had years of working with altar boys who were starting with no experience, so he invited John and another boy to serve with him. John took it very seriously that he was being allowed to serve Jesus only a week and a half after Jesus gave him the gift of His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. What an unexpected grace. What an opportunity to give back to Our Savior!
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| Setting up the altar |
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| Instructing the boys |
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| Instructing the boys |
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| During a low Mass in the Extraordinary Form, both the parishioners and the altar servers kneel for almost the entire half hour. I had heard of this transformation from other mothers, but it was amazing for me to watch John go from squirrelly, energetic boy who can hardly contain himself to a boy who can kneel for 30 minutes with nary a movement--motivated only by admiration for the priest and the older alter server. Later the priest shared with Chris and I some ideas for how parents can inspire such admiration that leads to the children embracing behaviors we want to instill. Wouldn't that be lovely? |
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| The elevation |
Having Mass said in your home?! How amazing!!
ReplyDeletePraise God that you cooperated with His grace. You were blessed with a beautiful opportunity to extend hospitality to a Priest and have the blessing of having a Mass celebrated in your home.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that you even managed to get 30 min of schooling in was impressive to me.
ad Jesum per Mariam,
Lena
P.S. I'd love to hear Father's tips to training children. ;)
Truly, you and Chris and your family are blessed. I only wish I had been there to share that experience with you.
ReplyDeleteYour home altar was far more lovely than many parish altars, sadly! And what an awesome, awesome opportunity for you all and for John.
ReplyDeleteWow, I'm impressed all around!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing opportunity. After you told me that, I drove home thinking, "God is going to BE in her home". I was awed.
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing and gift to your family!!
ReplyDelete