Matteo's First Communion

Matteo First Communion was this past Sunday. For the past six weeks he's taken a couple of classes at church and we've done lots of at-home studying and reflection on what this means in the Catholic faith.

It's been an exciting experience for Matteo and so enjoyable for our family. I can't believe he's old enough to do this, taking this really important step in our faith. Hard to believe I'm old enough to have a kiddo doing their first communion.

At the suggestion of my cool pal LeAnne, we took a few photos in the grotto before mass. It was a peaceful, quiet space for us to do this and say a prayer before Matteo's First Communion.


Matteo - our little boy is growing up.



It was unplanned, but we were oh-so-happy we ran into Bridget & Claire while we were just getting to the grotto. It gave LeAnne and I chance to take a few photos of our kiddo's together. So much of our journey in parenting and fun involves the Wilson Family. We're so blessed to have them as friends and that we've shared everything from baptisms, births, and now First Communion together with our families. That's the good stuff, baby.



Papa and Busia came all the way from Chicago for this special day. We couldn't be more happy and pleased they came to help celebrate our boy.


And, of course, a bit of sibling love for Matteo as he takes this very important step in his life. It was a good day.

Don and I both found ourselves excited and a bit nervous about the day. Matteo was so calm about the entire thing. He loved getting dressed in his suit, knowing that he was about to become part of our church community in the Eucharist. His journey for preparing was always so pleasant - happy to do the reading, studying, praying, learning and memorizing prayers. It was a God filled journey, that is for sure.

When we were doing through the preparation, it was suggested by our church to let the children taste wine, practice holding a nice glass to understand what the wine would taste like. We did this about a week before and opened the only bottle of white wine we had at home. It was a Riesling, which is typically sweet. Matteo took a sip in our at-home version of communion practice and said, 'It tastes like fruit!'.

Oh yes, I found this funny and in hindsight I should have purchased a really bad chardonnay so that he wouldn't think it is always going to taste like fruit.

It was an emotional day for our our family. I found myself crying at mass a few times, seeing Matteo take this step in his journey of Faith. Watching him do things in the church with several of his buddies, especially Bridget, who has been in our lives since they were 3 months old.

To be connected to people you love, to share life experiences, to take steps in your faith together as families, that is what it is all about.


Congratulations Matteo - we love you!