On one of the most gorgeous days of 2014, our entire family gathered to celebrate John’s First Communion. It was a memorable day – full of love, laughter, a few tears of joy, family and some very special friends.
After two years of PSR (parish school of religion) preparation, he was so very excited that the big day was finally here! Mother and I both welled up with tears when he processed out with the rest of his peers. It was one of those moments when your heart just bursts with joy, wonder and gratefulness.
Our sweet boy receiving the body and blood of Christ. Each little one went up one at a time to receive the sacrament.
At the end of mass he was all smiles. One of my favorite moments that I never want to forget was watching him in the line practicing all of the motions over and over. He’d do prayer hands – bow – open hands – put it in his mouth – sign of cross – prayer hands – drink from the cup – prayer hands – repeat. It was so very darling and SO like him.
He positively could not wait to 1) find his bestie O and 2) make a picture with the Knights of Columbus. It was an extraordinary moment to see them line the aisle for the little ones to process through, and then to watch them, two by two, bow to the class at the beginning of the mass.
As soon as mass had ended, Sister and Mother jetted back to the house to pull out the food for the party. We had set up as much as possible before hand. Honey and I gave John money and my four way medal from childhood. I wasn’t sure how he would react to the necklace, but he immediately put it on and wore it all day. It was so very sweet to hand that down. (Although I need to figure out something equally as special for Whit when it’s his turn.)
Sister made the beautiful flower arrangements, cut from a Cherokee rose and boxwoods growing in her yard. I simply cannot believe that she has one in her yard!! I mean, until today I had never seen one in Georgia. (And now I really, really want one!)
With the mass and party falling just between meal times, we served a variety of chicken salads, pimento cheese, Ina’s cheddar jalapeno crackers and fruit.
For favors, we sent each family home with a box of our very favorite petit fours and a couple of the prayer cards I made to commemorate the day.
And after everyone had gone home, we recorded the event in our family Bible.
God bless you, son. My God be near you as you kneel down to pray, and all through your future as you follow in his way.
DIXIE DELIGHTS DELIVERED
[madmimi id=246857]
What a glorious celebration for your Son and you as a parent! Thank you for sharing such a wonderful part of the Catholic faith.
Love the prayer cards, banner, and the cake. All so lovely, I'm tagging this post for my son's first communion in a few years.
Hope you're feeling better soon, I know you must be going stir crazy!!
Betsy
West of the Square Designs
Amanda, what a beautiful recap of the day! Your son looks so handsome and so happy! Love all of the decorations, too. Congratulations to you and your beautiful family!
God bless John and your family! I see a knight in your future!
Oh, happy day! Your photos convey much love and joy and John suddenly looks so grown up! What a precious, beaming young man. May his life always be blessed.
Every single detail of your celebration was absolute perfection. After you get some rest, could you please share the story of your elegant cake stand? The photo is stunning!
And the church entrance was gorgeous! Thank you for sharing this very glorious day.
Jane ~ San Diego
Congrats to John. You never leave out one thing…. your attention to detail is admired, friend. xo
What a lovely and special celebration. I can tell you are so very proud of him.
What a beautiful day for you and your family. God bless your handsome sweet son!
Congratulations! What a handsome boy, love the tie!
What a wonderful event in your life! Your family always celebrates every occasion so well – actually, it made me tear up looking at all the photos. What a blessing you have!
What a beautiful ceremony. God bless you John!
How super sweet! Your post brought tears to my eyes (happy ones!) And your celebration meal looked beautiful and delicious. Lovely post Amanda!
Oh what a beautiful celebration. YOur pictures are all so wonderful, and your son looks so happy. Great family photos too.
Congratulations and blessing to John. The weather could not have been more perfect for such a special day. God's SONshine was out in full force. Fantastic recap of the day.
Thanks for sharing this special family time with us Amanda. God Bless John!!
My eyes welled up in tears as I read this as we wait for our little guy's first communion. I bookmarked this page for ideas. He looked so handsome.
Your church is huge. Ours is not as big, but, beautiful.
God Bless John, today and always
So sweet, our twin grandchildren (boy & girl) took their first communion this past Saturday in Clarksville ga. They were so precious! We enjoyed a family meal afterwards…..good memories!
Beautiful day for you're family! You did a marvelous job down to every last detail! Love it! Can you tell me where you found those gorgeous glass beverage dispensers and the pattern of your lovely white serving dishes? All so gorgeous!
Just beautiful! Congratulations! First Communion is such a special day, we had two wonderful celebrations for our son and daughter that I will always remember.
Aw what a beautiful day! Congratulations!
Who did the cake? I think it would be beautiful to use for my soon-to-be goddaughter's baptism reception.
Lisa – I used McEntyre's Bakery in Smyrna. They are SO yummy too!
Your parties are the best! What a special celebration for such a handsome boy! Not quite sure how you pulled all that off with your foot issues! I hope you are healing well! I wondered about your drink decanters – are those a recent purchase that I might could find? My middle son is graduating in a few months and I am trying to get things together! Thank you for sharing your sweet family with all of us!
Wow…surprised to find a fellow Catholic …not many of us in the South…such a beautiful celebration of your son's First Communion.
Be Blessed,
Chantal