Matthew serves for the first time... Some very sweet encouragement from his cousin...

     Last weekend, my ten-year old son served on the altar at Mass for the very first time. Way back in the spring, he had been ambivalent about serving, because, although he knew it would be a good thing to do, he was a little afraid that he wouldn't know what to do... and there he'd be... standing up there... with everybody watching.  
     Well... after weeks of very fine training, he knew exactly what he was doing.  And he was so glad he had decided to serve, after all. I was glad, too.
     He served at the 12 noon Mass, celebrated beautifully by Monsignor Kane... Trinity Sunday. He seemed reverent, but relaxed. He mentioned ahead of time that he felt a little nervous. I told him that the Holy Spirit would be with him... and even if it weren't perfect, it would still be worthy. It was.
     His cousin, my sister's daughter, wrote him a letter from their family.  She is eight years old, and recently received her First Communion.  This is her letter. It will forever be a keepsake...

Matthew... You were great. We really enjoyed seeing you be the altar server. It must feel good to be one. You did a great job being an altar server. We love you!! That was a brave thing to do. It is possible to do, because of you. That's why God made you so gentle and caring to others. You are a wonderful altar server for your cousins and family. You are a great example for your cousins. That was the right job for you, because you did it perfect. We trust in you that you can do it. We are proud of you. God is proud of you, too. That was the bravest thing that I saw in my life. Your parents should really be proud of you. You are the nicest cousin in your family, and Grace, too. I'm glad you'd help the priest with the body of Christ and the wine, so the priest can bless it. You were born right, to become an altar server in Christ.

     How sweet is that. Very well said... with love.