First Confession & First Communion

 In the past semester, Charlotte took part in two sacraments. During her birthday weekend, she was able to make her First Confession. Then, last weekend, she partook of her First Communion. 

Back in March, her birthday fell on a Thursday this year. First Confession was scheduled for Saturday morning and on the feast day of St. Frances of Rome. 

Here is some of what I learned about her:

* She was born into a wealthy family in Rome.

* She was described as being quiet but also having a strong will...as shown through her desire to be a nun at a young age even though her father had planned on her marrying a fellow wealthy suitor.

* Frances, at first, was bitter she had to marry into wealth and participate in the social gatherings/appearances of the wealthy families. Over time, she grew to recognize that she must serve in a different way from what she had hoped for in life.

* She and her sister-in-law found ways to serve and show their devotion to God.

* Over time, miracles occurred that converted her husband and father-in-law and at one point, St. Frances had to completely trust in God with regard to the welfare of her first-born son. You can read more about her extraordinary life here.

Saint Frances of Rome, help us to see the difference between what we want to do and what God wants us to do. Help us to discern what comes from our will and what comes from God's desire. Amen.

Going to the Confession service was peaceful. It was a quiet gray Saturday morning. Adam's parents, family friend, Sue, my Mom, and Marita, another family friend, were in a pew together. As the time got closer and closer for participating in Confession, Charlotte grew more and more nervous. As a result, she and I were the last ones in line but she agreed she could go in front of me. Upon leaving the confessional, she was all smiles. 

Afterwards, we drove over to Adam's parents' home where we enjoyed Federico Subs and delicious cookies made by Ann's Cookie Creations. 

The back of this amazing gift we received when Charlotte was baptized from a dear friend had the word, hope, inscribed on it. It was such a beautiful reminder as I had long forgotten this information was written on the back of the frame. See below for what the frame contained....

Look how special! I remember when we received this gift thinking that the next sacraments of First Confession & First Communion feeling like they were such a long ways off from that time. It's hard to believe both have taken place this spring! 

These plates were my dear Aunt Ollie's special plates. It felt like she and Dad were both with us as we celebrated at my in-laws' home after the Reconciliation Service. How beautiful are the cookies?! Ann's Cookie Creations does a marvelous job..and they are delicious, too!

Our art loving girl was given a unicorn night light to paint after lunch. I made the comparison of going to Confession and how that allows the light to shine inside us (Jesus) and allows it to shine brighter by going to Confession. I'm not sure how theologically accurate it is to say the above but Charlotte does love the song, This Little Light of Mine, and sings it spontaneously so it blends that idea with unicorns (which was the theme of her birthday party held the very next day) and the gift is practical to use as a nightlight, too! 😉

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Last weekend, we had sunnier and warmer weather for Charlotte's First Communion. My little brother, older brother and his family, and my Mom were able to make the drive in the day and night before and we were able to get a head start celebrating our nephew's birthday that would also be on Sunday. We hit up the new arcaded that had opened at the mall a few months ago and the kiddos seemed to enjoy themselves!

Charlotte loves this game the most at the arcade....bathroom humor!

She takes after her Nascar-loving uncle and cousins by enjoying the driving game, too.

She was so excited to win a duck from this game!

 Success in getting the bean bag in the hole!

The next day, Uncle Patrick, Charlotte's godfather, wanted to do something special just for her so the two of them walked down to the local park. She saw me snap this quick photo of them as they left the house. She loves spending time with her family members and my little brother is no different.

Aunt Maureen flew in from Boston just before mass on Sunday right after I had gotten Charlotte dressed. Charlotte wore a floral pearl crown headpiece my mother-in-law had purchased for her but the crowning moment was when I pulled out my wedding veil to see if it might go with the dress. Late the night before, at about 10pm, Mom had asked if Charlotte was wearing a veil or gloves. I had said no to which Mom had expressed surprise. It reminded the both of us of a pre-wedding conversation she and I had the summer before we got married when I shared with her how Adam had always envisioned his bride wearing a veil (while I had always desired to not have a veil). We came to the same conclusion now as we did then...that we would look and see how the veil might work on Charlotte the next day. I remember, back in 2015, joking that I would wear the veil to everything given the price tag of it. It was more money than my rehearsal dress and wedding dress combined! Granted, I had gotten really good sale prices on the two dresses but it was worth it to see the look on Adam's face as I wore the veil walking down the aisle with my Dad. I could hardly wait for Adam to see his daughter wearing that same veil the next day! 

Charlotte Annie couldn't stop looking at herself in the mirror once the veil was put on and in the above picture, I like to think my Dad was watching from over her shoulder where I have a picture of him above the art. <3

A glimpse into the future, perhaps?

The veil perfectly matched the dress! The dress had hung in Charlotte's closet for three years. The mother of a large family in the community had posted in the local moms group social media page, when Charlotte was five, that she had a size 6 dress that was passed on to her. It was new, with the tags, but none of her girls at the time were in that size. She had posted online asking if anyone in the community might like the dress. I commented on it and said I would love to have it for Charlotte. Between Charlotte's petite size and the length of the dress, I wondered back then if it could potentially be a First Communion Dress and saved it in the closet. Lo and behold, three years later, as an eight year old, she fit into the dress perfectly to wear for the sacrament!

Here she is showing her outfit to Uncle Patrick as she had changed right after their visit to the park.

So, after showing most of the family her outfit, we headed out to the car where we bumped into Aunt Maureen in the driveway! She arrived just in time to run over to campus with Charlotte and me to take a few pictures.

Aunt Maureen is my godmother and it was special to celebrate in my daughter's sacrament with her in this way!

Once we returned home, it was time for the big reveal for Adam to see Charlotte in her dress (and Mommy's veil!).

She couldn't stop twirling and kept saying, "Mommy, I look like a bride!"

Seeing these two together reminds me so much of how I was with my Dad. #foreveraDaddy'sgirl

She is also such a doggy-lover!!

The church was packed with families and friends supporting the 21 First Communicants. I was surprised that every pew was filled with some folks standing in the back of the church, too. With it being a private mass just for those celebrating the sacrament, I had expected fewer people but it was a full house for sure!

Uncle Brian took this photo as Charlotte returned to the pew.

This is the livestream of the mass. You can see Charlotte at the 1 hour 8 min. mark and again 20 minutes later for the group photo at 1 min. 28 sec.

Charlotte was so pleased to see her principal, Mrs. Danaher, after mass!

After mass, we drove across town to Adam's parents' home, where we held a celebratory gathering.

Someone took a quick nap as we drove to Grandma and Pa's house!

We were blessed to have a lovely menu of homemade food. Here is the description I had posted in the event page description we used as an invitation: apple salad, Italian Pork Roast, homemade sourdough bread (jalapeno cheddar and plain), homemade meatballs & sauce, homemade gnocchi, and cookies. Tea, coffee, and water will be on hand as well.

The favors were a nod back to the Baptism favors through using the same style of bags, and instead of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel prayer cards, for Charlotte's Baptism happened to take place on that feast day, I had instead inserted A Litany of Charlotte's Saints bookmarks I was able to have be created through the amazing Meyer Market Designs. I just love Bernadette's beautiful work!

April 28th, when Charlotte took part in her First Communion, is also the feast day of St. Gianna Beretta Molla. This Italian saint is the patron saint of mothers, physicians, and unborn children. I have been leaning into her a lot these last eight years especially when I go down the dark path of mourning the brothers and sisters Adam and I could not give Charlotte. I like to think of those potential unborn children, in particular, as being with God and St. Gianna in paradise instead of here on earth with us.

St. Gianna, a pediatrician in the 1950s, practiced medicine in her home country of Italy before marrying her husband, an engineer whom she met at work. They went on to raise their family as they both worked. 

After having three children, St. Gianna and her husband faced unexpected news early on in their fourth pregnancy. See below for what is shared via this website:  https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=6985: 

In 1961, Gianna became pregnant with her fourth child. Toward the end of her second month of pregnancy, Gianna was struck with an unimaginable pain.

Her doctors discovered she had developed a fibroma in her uterus, meaning she was carrying both a baby and a tumor.

After examination, the doctors gave her three choices: an abortion, which would save her life and allow her to continue to have children, but take the life of the child she carried; a complete hysterectomy, which would preserve her life, but take the unborn child's life, and prevent further pregnancy; or removal of only the fibroma, with the potential of further complications, which could save the life of her baby.

Catholic teaching affirms what medical science, the Natural Law, the Bible and unbroken Christian tradition affirm, the child in the womb has a fundamental Human Right to Life. Wanting to preserve her child's life, Gianna opted for the removal of only the fibroma.

In fact, she was willing to give her own life to save the life of her child.

Gianna pleaded with the surgeons to save her child's life over her own. She sought comfort in her prayers and her living faith.

The child's life was saved, for which Gianna graciously thanked the Lord.

After the operation, complications continued throughout her pregnancy, but Gianna spent the remainder of her pregnancy with an unparalleled strength and insistent dedication for her tasks as a mother and a doctor.

A few days before the baby was to be born, Gianna prayed the Lord take any pain away from the child. She recognized she may lose her life during delivery, but she was ready.

Gianna was quite clear about her wishes, expressing to her family, "If you must decide between me and the child, do not hesitate: choose the child. I insist on it. Save the baby."

On April 21, 1962, Gianna Emanuela Molla successfully delivered by Caesarean section.

The doctors tried many different treatments and procedures to ensure both lives would be saved. However, on April 28, 1962, a week after the baby was born, Gianna passed away from septic peritonitis. She is buried in Mesero.

Gianna was beatified by Pope John Paul II on April 24, 1994, and officially canonized as a saint on May 16, 2004. Her husband and their children, including Gianna Emanuela, attended her canonization ceremony, making this the first time a husband witnessed his wife's canonization.

  I had learned of St. Gianna years ago via the Young Adult Ministry I was involved with in Pennsylvania prior to moving down to NC. In fact, our wedding photographer had met the baby from this fourth pregnancy, Gianna Emanuela, during a tour in which the relics of St. Gianna were shared at a church and the daughter gave an inspiring talk. So, to think I'm one degree removed from this precious life and special mother via Juliana is incredibly special. I also felt connected to St. Gianna even more when my now 13 year old nephew was born on her feast day and I wanted to know more about the saint connected to his day of birth. However, upon reading of the story again now as I pen this post, I'm struck by the term, fibroma, given I experienced fibroids during my pregnancy with Charlotte. Would the fibroids have eventually led to cancer? Just how did Charlotte survive in the womb with so many fibroids crowding her in there? What a miracle to not have the softball-sized fibroid dangling at the top rupture as I delivered her naturally...the thought of all that should have gone wrong that didn't during the actual delivery itself causes me to shudder. It almost makes up for the trauma that did occur after she was born but I digress....so for Charlotte to have her First Communion on the day of this warrior woman of a saint is not lost on me. Thought Charlotte is tiny, I pray she is a fierce one in Christ. This morning, as I watched her during the children's mass at her school, she was a good two feet shorter than a tall boy in her class but with the intercessory prayer of her saints, and strength fueled by her faith, I hope Charlotte knows how loved she is and how worthy she is to do and face anything that crosses her path...much like how Sts. Perpetual and Felicity (also my niece's confirmation saint!) faced in their final days. Charlotte was born on March 7th, the day that is set aside to honor these women who made an unlikely pairing in their friendship. Taken from the same website listed above, below is a synopsis of their story:

* Sts. Perpetua and Felicity are patron saints of mothers, expectant mothers, ranchers, and butchers. How appropriate for my one and only to be born on a feast day of saints known for mothering!

* These saints were from Africa and much of what we know of these two women is from St. Perpetua herself through her writings.

* St. Vivia Perpetual was a well-educated noblewoman who converted to Christianity against the wishes of her pagan father who worried for her safety. She was 22 years old, married, and had a baby boy she was still nursing at the time of her martyrdom.

* During her Baptism, St. Vivia Perpetua was told to pray for nothing but endurance for her trials. If only we all could repeat her prayer! Lord, we know life will be hard and full of challenges. Give us the strength to bear it all for Your Glory.

* St. Felicity, a slave, was in prison at the same time as St. Vivia Perpetua. St. Felicity was eight months pregnant. Both women faced stifling, claustrophobic, and rough conditions in the hot overcrowded prison.

* St. Perpetua was able to have her baby be brought to prison and stay with her. This helped to relinquish the pain St. Perpetua faced at being separated from her baby boy.

* Days before the martyrdom was to take place, St. Felicity gave birth to a baby girl. 

* St. Perpetua was known to have exclaimed, just prior to dying, "Stand fast in the faith, and love one another. Do not let our sufferings be a stumbling block to you." She, Felicity, and two others died together in the arena.

Saints Perpetua and Felicity, watch over all mothers and children who are separated from each other because of war or persecution. Show a special care to mothers who are imprisoned and guide them to follow your example of faith and courage. Amen.

On the day Charlotte was born, March 7th, I went from expectant and hopeful mother of a hoped for many children to a resolute definitive mother of one "onederful" child - our precious Charlotte Annie. I can say, now being eight years removed from that special birthday that fell on the feast day of Sts. Perpetua & Felicity, that, at first, I was in a sort of prison of sorrow and despair over how things unexpectedly turned out but over the years, have strove to actively walk in the high spirited way St. Perpetua so gallantly did in her final days as I strive to mother in a different way. 

So, this brings us back to Charlotte's Litany of Saints. How incredible for these milestones to fall on days that are set aside to honor and remember these special women?!

Each favor contained a small notebook with scripture on the cover and matching pens that had an inspirational quote on the pen.

Charlotte and I love flowers and butterflies and with this being springtime and a season of growth and renewal, we wanted to afford everyone the opportunity to grow flowers that attract butterflies!

I brought the annual photo albums from Charlotte's 8th birthday party to the First Communion Party and love how much of a hit they were for the guests...they always enjoy trying to spot themselves in the images, too! =)

Mags caught me snapping her photo as she wrote in the First Confession and First Communion books, yearbook-style, during the gathering. This is an idea I borrowed from her family as we build the special Charlotte Library over the years!

Ann's Cookie Creations came through once again! Her work is not only delicious but also beautiful to take in as well! Find her on Facebook and support her small business. She provided the above gorgeous cookies and also yummy chocolate fudge that everyone enjoyed. I'm not a fudge girl but even I love this melt in your mouth goodness!

Barbara made delicous homemade meatballs, sauce, and gnochhi. YUM!

Allgood Sourdough Creations came through and provided the bread for the meatball subs and my favorite of jalapeno cheddar bread....SO GOOD! Find them on Facebook..Liz also makes fantastic cookies with sourdough discard. Delicious! 

Caramel and Coconut, also on Facebook, made one of my favorite treats of peanut butter smoothies (think of a peanut butter cup but minus the chocolate) that disappeared from the bottom tier of the above dessert stand SO QUICKLY and soft caramels that I wanted to have available as a reminder of the treats I distributed during Charlotte's Baptism on the feast day of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. ;)

I love how Charlotte Annie blends right in with the Nelles Girlies. What a sweet friendship they share that has spanned the last eight years. We also discovered recently they are now godsiblings thanks to the sacrament of Baptism and my being Baby Loretta's Godmother! So beautiful!

I had made Italian Pork Roast and Mom Sue made apple salad...this plate of food, and the desserts that followed, was cobbled together out of love and hard-working hands of so many who love our girl. We are blessed!

Toward the end of the gathering, I found our girl tucked away savoring her last bite of the white cake with vanilla icing I had baked in part for her and also for Braden's birthday. 

May you always remember how you felt during these two firsts: going to Confession and partaking of the Eucharist and also recognize and remember how loved you are...both by God, first and foremost, and your family and friends, dear Charlotte Annie. 

Draw strength from those who love you and may you feel inspired by those who have gone before you as well. Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire. ~ St. Catherine of Siena