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Home > Blogs > Adventures in Motherhood > Archives > 2009 > October > 02 > Entry
Growing up Catholic
When we moved to Ohio seven years ago and started to settle into our community, my son — then 7 years old — posed an innocent question: “Can we join a church?”
Oh, the Catholic guilt burned in my soul!
You see, I had lapsed in my faith; and although my Methodist-raised Hubby and I married in the Catholic Church and our children had been baptized into the faith as babies, we were Holiday Churchgoers up to that point — Palm Sunday, Easter, Christmas, weddings, visits to Grandma’s, anything that required a new suit of clothes. No excuses; I just got lazy.
But my little boy’s honest query stirred by heart and spurred me to action. We joined a nearby parish, and although we’re still kind of hit-and-miss at Mass (does this blog count as confession?), the kids regularly attend Faith Formation classes — what we used to call CCD back in the day — and have received their sacraments.
I’m happy to say they’ve taken to religion rather nicely: My 11-year-old went as far as putting a Bible on her Christmas list a few years back. (Thanks, Grandma H, for hunting down a cool version aimed at tween girls!)
My now-13-year-old son has a deeply holy side that surprises me sometimes.
One day last year I noticed that he had written all the way down one side of his backpack IN SHARPIE.
“What the …?!” I said angrily. I peered closer, expecting to see rock lyrics scrawled across the camouflage bag. But no. He had written down his favorite Bible verses. And how do you stay mad at that? :p
During Mass, I often see him slipping $5 or $10 of his own money into the collection plate. When I asked him once why he had donated his whole allowance, he simply said, “It’s for a good cause.” This mom was humbled.
Now he’s facing a spiritual milestone as he goes through Confirmation. Through this sacrament, he will complete his “initiation” that started at baptism and become a stronger Christian in the process. In our church, it will involve daylong retreats with his peers and a few service projects done with his well-chosen Sponsor.
For my part, I am tasked with writing a “Care Letter” to him, sharing my hopes for him as he matures in his beliefs, celebrating how proud I am of the choices he’s made thus far, relating tales from my own journey. I have a feeling it’s going to be one long letter.
My son is blessed to have many people who care about him, and the second part of my Confirmation assignment is to solicit “Care Letters” from those people.
I’ve decided I’m going to be an equal-opportunity employer: The people closest to him may not be Catholic, or Christian, or even religious, but they are going to be asked to pen a note of encouragement or affirmation for him.
Later in the Confirmation process, he’ll get this batch of letters and know for certain that he does not walk alone through this life. It’s a good reminder for us all.
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Comments
By Skip
November 10, 2009 1:37 PM | Link to this
Lucy, It is an honor to be a part of this mission. Please look for my letter in snail mail. I will note on the envelope your name but the envelope inside will be for Rocco. If it should be an email just let me know. Love ya, Skip
By Aunt Pat
October 13, 2009 4:02 PM | Link to this
Hey, Lucy B! If you haven’t gotten your quota of Care Letters yet, I’d like to do it for Son!
By Roger
October 2, 2009 8:53 AM | Link to this
Isn’t amazing when God uses people to convey his message? God bless you and your family.