A Slice of Smith Life: First Communion

Our 3rd Daughter's First Holy Communion

This past Sunday, May 3rd, our daughter received her First Holy Communion at our parish. My daughter was one of 10 children who received Jesus' Body and Blood for the first time. It was a blessed and beautiful day and as my daughter received Jesus in the Eucharist for the first time, I got emotional and teary-eyed watching her. She was so excited and we were so proud of her!

Here are some photos of my daughter's special day:

To prepare for her First Communion, we made this banner and also a scrapbook (I plan to blog about what we put in her scrapbook in another post). My wonderful and very talented mom made my daughter's First Communion dress which is so beautiful and special and my other 2 daughters wore this handmade beauty at their First Communions.

We are blessed to live in the same town as my parents and we are grateful they are able to share in these special sacramental celebrations with our children, family and friends.

Our dear friend (and my roommate from college) visited from out of town to celebrate with us. She's the cute red-head in the left photo with the white shirt. :) Some of my husband's family joined us for the First Communion Mass also who are pictured on the right side. That's my husband's fraternal twin brother on the far left side of photo with his family.

This beautiful cake was made by one of our local Wal-Mart stores in town. Can you believe it? A Catholic cake from Wal-Mart? :) We have used this store several times in the past with our other children's First Communions and I really hope our Wal-Mart doesn't discontinue this design!

After the Mass and a small reception at our parish, our family and some homeschool friends went to a friend's pool to celebrate. Pictured above with the cake is my daughter and 3 other homeschool children from our group that received First Holy Communion at the morning Mass. Despite the cool temps of the pool water, the kids had fun swimming and running around. (and no adults wanted to brave the cold pool water!)

I'll finish this post with this beautiful video called "How Beautiful- the Catholic Version." I think it captures this past weekend's celebration quite well. Enjoy!

Have a beautiful weekend and if I don't get back on my blog before Mother's Day, have a blessed Mother's Day weekend and my prayers are with those whose mothers are no longer physically present with them and for women who long to be mothers one day.

Our Goddaughter's First Holy Communion Mass

We've had a busy past few days full of fun celebrations! This past weekend was First Communion for our Goddaughter and during this week we also celebrated our oldest daughter turning 14!

On Saturday, May 16, 2014, our homeschool group celebrated a First Holy Communion Mass for four children in our homeschool group and one of these special first communicants was our Goddaughter. My husband and I are blessed to have such a special gal for a Goddaughter, who we have always and will always continue to keep her in prayer. We were also blessed to celebrate this special day with her family and friends as she continues on her faith journey.

At the beginning of the Mass, the first communicants and their friends processed down the aisle with fresh flowers to place in vases in front of our Blessed Mother and then our Goddaughter placed a beautiful flower crown on Mary's statue.

Here is our Goddaughter receiving the Precious Body and Blood for the first time.

Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is my body." And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Matthew 26:26-28

It was such beautiful Mass and day! Our family was so happy to celebrate with our Goddaughter, family, and friends! M.R.H., may you always stay close to Jesus and His Church and continue to receive the sacraments with much love, faith, hope, and joy!

To see other First Communion Celebrations, be sure to visit HERE at "Sacraments Cele-LINKY" where I linked up this post!