First Communion

Last weekend was a very big weekend for our family.  It got started with a major milestone for Lydia – First Communion!

I realize now that I’ve never even posted a picture of our church, St. Anne’s Catholic Church.  It’s located in Stanley, not far from where we live.  Unlike most churches in the US, most churches here are not stand-alone buildings. Few have the steeples and usual markings of a church.  St. Anne’s is no different.  In fact, Lydia’s piano teacher – who lives in Stanley and passes it every time she goes to the bus stop – didn’t even know it was there!

Though camouflaged from the outside, St. Anne’s has huge attendance.  Parishioners are mostly expats with children (primarily American and European) and Filipino domestic helpers.  The 2012 First Communion classes had a whopping 90 kids in them!  The inside of the church was decorated with banners made by each of the children.

 
First Communion preparation took the entire school year.  Lydia had a wonderful Sunday School teacher and seemed to enjoy going each week.  The preparation culminated last weekend with the First Communion ceremony.  Lydia was initially a bit nervous about it – she had a speaking part – but she did a great job and really took it all in.  We were so proud of her!

Our families, while unable to make it to the actual First Communion, helped us prepare in ways that meant a lot to us.  Grandma and Grandpa H in Hutchinson generously volunteered to buy Lydia’s dress at Christmas time.  In a sea of black and Christmas-themed dresses, we found this gorgeous white dress.  There were only a couple of this style and both could have fit Lydia – it was meant to be.  She looked beautiful in it!

Grandma and Grandpa S in Tonganoxie also helped us by being our “personal shoppers” to pick up a special gift that we could give Lydia, a beautiful rosary in Lydia’s favorite color.  Grandma S also picked up a beautiful sparkly bracelet that Lydia wore on First Communion day that was a perfect complement to her dress.

It was storming during the First Communion Mass - often the priest’s words were punctuated by rolling thunder, making it quite dramatic!  This is Father Mike, one of our two parish priests, who led the ceremony (he also happens to be from St. Louis!).

Had the day ended with First Communion, it would have been a full and memorable day on its own.

But, we had more on our agenda – a trip to Beijing to meet some good friends from KC.  A great day!