Night in Bethlehem (preview)

Kaden and I have been having some GREAT conversations lately... but he's also at the age where he knows about "posting things online" and doesn't want everything up here.  So I'm not posting *everything*.  But I had to post this...

After seeing a box with a nativity photo on it, he asked what it was.

Me:  It's called "Night in Bethlehem."  It's a program we're doing at church this year.
Kaden:  really?  So, what grades will be in it?
Me:  All the grades are invited.
Kaden:  even FIRST grade?
Me:  yes.  (realizing he thinks it's a Christmas program the kids act out...) - Not like last year.  It's a little like a VBS night, for families, about Christmas.  So we make the gym look like the village of Bethlehem might have on the night Jesus was born.  And you come and get to walk through town and do fun stuff.

Kaden:  ALL RIGHT!!!  Will Mary be there?
Me:  yes.  at some point.  I don't know if you'll get to see her or not.  They were traveling, remember?
Kaden:  I know, I know.  HEY!  Does Sammy get to be baby Jesus?
Me:  No, silly, he's too big.  Remember when he was just born, how tiny he was?  Now, he'd be sitting up and waving and smiling at people, and Jesus didn't do that on his first night.

Kaden:  Yes he did, Mom.  It's in the story, remember?  The Drummer Boy (one of his faves).
Me: um. yes. well, that was probably not his FIRST night on earth.
Kaden:  I think it was, Mom.

~~~
There was more, of course, as the conversation unfolded to other Christmas memories and general celebrating thoughts.  After bedtime, I found out that he had a chat with JimDad just after he came home (about a half hour after our original chat).   Loosely translated:

Kaden:  Dad, did you know that we are doing a Bethlehem night at our church?
JimDad:  yes.
Kaden:  And Mom says that Sammy can't be baby Jesus because he's too big, and Jesus didn't smile or wave when he was born, but she's wrong Dad because remember the Little Drummer Boy?  Jesus smiled at HIM.  I think Mom is wrong on this one...

Sunday Adventures

Plans: enjoy the 9am Family Mass, reconnect with friends, K works for 20 minutes while Jimdad and Kaden hit the playground... quick change for all then off to the beach to dry out any lingering sickness. Return home for showers and naps and, if time permits, to go to a fantastic hispanic carnival in a neighboring town.

Reality: wake up at 9.30 am to Kaden complaining "it hurts" while holding his stomach. Dreading the 12 hour stomach flu that is still making rounds among our relatives, I asked, "does it hurt like you got hit? or like you're hungry?" His face and voice brightened immediately: "Yes, Mama, huuuuuuuuuuuuuuungry!"

He proceeds to eat 2 plates of oatmeal, 2 glasses of juice and 1.5 apples. During which, Jim and I talk and decide he's well enough to continue our plan, just aiming for the Noon mass instead. The boys get dressed as I shower... and come out of the bedroom to find Kaden curled up on Jim's shoulder, completely asleep. Okay, maybe he's not so fine?

Jim heads to Mass by himself, and I curl up with Kaden and new book. Oh, and some of PBS's special show- ADD and Loving It, which was hysterical and informative! Fun! (unpaid opinion there). Jim comes back and whips up a batch of nachos for lunch... Kaden wakes up with a huge smile: Chips? Proceeds to eat 2 small helpings, a hot dog and another cup of juice. Oh my.

We scuttled the beach plans and instead had a relaxing Sunday. I can't remember the last time we had one! Well, at least it was relaxing until Kaden and I headed to the 5pm Mass at Nana's church. She's sitting in the 3rd row from the front (!!!) and so we settle in too. The priest blessed the Advent wreath, and Kaden pops up from the pew to ask "What happened?"

We whispered that the wreath was lit for Advent. Can't wait to see how we'll explain God becoming human...

Snippets from an Actual Conversation

Scene: at church, in the middle of Mass. 3rd pew from front. Jimdad leaves the pew at the Sign of Peace to head up to the altar, like the other 9 Eucharistic Ministers.

Kaden, suddenly realizing Jim left: Where Daddy go?
Me: to the altar.
Kaden, starting toward the end of the pew: I go to altar, too.
Me, grabbing the back of his shirt: not yet. stay here.
Kaden: I go to altar too!
Nana: Shhh! Daddy's going to help Father.
Kaden, standing up straight and tall: I help Father, too.
Nana and me, whispering louder: No! It's for bigger boys, older boys.
Kaden, very loudly, dragging his last word into a loud whine: I a big boooooyyyyy.
Mamak grabs toddler and exits quickly, stage right.

TGIF

Thank God it's Friday! This week was nice, but it always feels even nicer to come to a weekend. Even if I'm working :)

Jane previously asked how I wound up in my job. I suppose I should tell you about my job first... I am at a Catholic church, as a "director of religious education" officially.... unofficially, that means I do a whole lot of stuff for kids /families from birth to grade 5. Even more unofficially, we're required to be team players and help out on all sorts of random things, like fundraisers or thank you dinners or Very Important Masses. And most of the staff likes to collaborate and support each other, so we also find ourselves at things like Senior Luncheons, or helping folks with their computer (?), or organizing a parish wide picnic.

Kade becomes part of the Church family.

Oh, officially I'm also in charge of preparing folks for the Sacraments of Initiation- Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist (Communion). Reconciliation falls in there too, and so anyone of any age who wants those sacraments comes through "my" ministries. Technically, there's 6 programs I manage. We have over 50 wonderful volunteers who really make those ministries happen- my job is more of setting things up to make sure they can do it, both logistics and formation wise. Our parish has about 12oo-1500 families, and "my" ministries serve about 120-150 a year. We're considered small for our area.

Deacon talks about Mass with little kids & their parentals.

But how did I wind up here? Short answer- God. Medium answer- a friend (also a member at the church) told me about the position, and I applied, and ta-da. Longer answer- Way back in the day, when I was trying to decide what to major in, I talked to a bunch of people and realized the actual degree was probably more important than the major (especially because I had ruled out specific areas like biology!). Deciding to focus on what I'd enjoy learning about, that narrowed it down to theology, english or theater (I know, right?). Theology seemed, please forgive me, the easiest option. Less reading and writing (not exactly) and less competition (mostly true).

Youth acting/praying the Stations of the Cross.

From there, I've done about 4 "professional" jobs. They've been either educational or religion-related, though this is the first time I've worked directly for the Church (it's never been a career goal). I've also done 2 years of service (which led to one of the jobs) and I've turned down maybe 3 or 4 jobs. In every single case of a job offer, it's people who already know me. Anyway, to wrap up this long answer, my choice of college led to my choice of the major, which led to me meeting certain groups of people (orders of priests), which led to... this place! Ta-da :)

Cantor Kade

One of the fun parts of my job is interacting with kids of different ages in groups... two weeks ago, we had a "toddler church tour" where the moms group brought in their mostly pre-schoolers and toddlers. We did a 20 minute intro to the space, including the "backstage" sacristy tour. Complete with a toy "Mass" play set (plush chalice, incense holder, etc) and vestment costumes. The highlight, of course, was when we went up on the altar to see things from the other side. The kids had a blast standing on stools to see above the altar, and practicing their ABC song in the cantor mic (see Kade below). Wish I had photo permissions because the other kids were even cuter.

And here's a sample of his ever-growing vocab:

Happy Easter!

"That's the man in charge of Easter" -overheard at church, when a woman tried to bribe her grand kids into behaving.... she was alluding to Jim, our youth minister extraordinaire, who coordinates the Children's Mass AND the Easter Egg fun afterward... but I think we all know the man really in charge of Easter, yes? May Jesus continue to rise in our hearts, bringing new life where we need it most!



That's an appropriate prayer for me after the craziness of Lent/Holy Week/Easter. I was somewhat disappointed that we wouldn't have a "normal" family Easter, since I was working the Vigil Sat. night and Jim worked Easter morning. But during the rehearsal with our candidates & Elect (those coming into the church that night), the Spirit nudged me into a better mood and I was able to embrace the weekend.

One thing that especially struck me was the differences between the Vigil (many symbols like fire and light, readings of how God has acted throughout history, baptisms and professions of faith- 2.5 hours total) and the Children's Mass (balloons, theater seating, short readings by soft spoken kids, background "kiddie" noises the whole time- 45 minutes total). Complete opposites in terms of style... and yet I was struck how the evident the Spirit was in both. Holding the two up as great examples of an Easter Mass... not choosing one as "better"... that is the best of our Church, I think.

and so Kaden's first Easter was a bit of Mass, a bit of eating, and a lot of visiting. We wound up "making the rounds" and visiting three different families.

It was great to see them all, and especially nice to share the table with a friend who's recovering from surgery and her aunt. Keep Jenny in your prayers for healing, please!

As I type, I'm realizing we forgot to dye some eggs--- but if the Church can celebrate Easter for six weeks, so can we!