Sacramental Living Celebrating New Life in Christ — Every Year

baptism

BY KENDRA TIERNEY

Birthday celebrations are a cultural standard in our part of the world, happy occasions for all. Each year on a child’s birthday, we remember with great joy in our hearts that this child was given to us — a blessing from God — and I’m happy I get to show my children that each year when the day comes around again.

But as Catholics, we know that the anniversary of our birth is not nearly as important — eternally speaking — as another anniversary, that of our baptism. In my home, with my 10 children, we make a point of celebrating that for kids, as well.

Children appreciate being singled out and celebrated; and, especially in a big family, it’s nice to have days set apart to make sure we do so. Baptism anniversaries are a good opportunity to do that. But, more importantly, celebrating children’s baptismal anniversaries is a way to show them by our actions that we believe what we say we believe about the importance and efficacy of the sacrament of baptism.

Add all the dates to your family calen-

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‘Love Jesus Always’

Pope St. John Paul II Offers Advice to First Communicants

eucharist

“Dear friends, there is no doubt that an unforgettable meeting with Jesus is First Holy Communion, a day to be remembered as one of life’s most beautiful. … Children receive this sacrament solemnly a first time — in First Holy Communion — and are encouraged to receive it afterwards as often as possible in order to remain in close friendship with Jesus,” the Pope wrote to children in a letter dated Dec. 13, 1994.

He continued, “Every boy and every girl

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