First Communion Gifts

My son (2nd of 3, oldest boy) made his First Communion last weekend.  We had a small party for him afterward, and he received several rosaries, prayer books, and a crucifix.  

On Monday, my wife helped with the 2nd grade's reading program, and a lot of the kids naturally shared what they got.  One little girl said she got $550!!  My wife asked if she also got a rosary or a prayer book, and she said no.  While she didn't get any religious items, she did get a Webkin and some pajamas.  I thought that was sad.

I don't mean to judge, but I would just expect that the gifts would match the occasion.  I stressed to my son several times that this was just the first of many, and they're all just as important.  Hopefully more so as his appreciation for the Eucharist continues to grow.

What about you?  What kinds of gifts did you or your kids receive for First Communion?  Do you have any favorite gifts that you like to give for First Communion?

Feast of St. Joseph the Worker

Today is the feast of St. Joseph the Worker.  Personally, I'll be praying a little extra today to St. Joseph.  In the past, his intercession has been directly responsible for a job change that came with a nice pay raise, and separately, another pay raise.  Each of these times, our family was facing the prospect of our stay-at-home mom having to go back to work.  

I didn't often pray to the saints for intercession for specific things, but in these cases I did.  And St. Joseph answered!  Less than a month after my first "direct" ask of St. Joseph to intercede, I was offered a new position at work that cam with a 25% pay raise.  I wasn't looking for this job, I hadn't heard about it, it just fell in my lap!

St. Josephe was a wonderful Protector of the Holy Family, and he protects our families today.  I'd encourage anyone to make St. Joseph the patron saint of their career!  God Bless!

And thank you, St. Joseph!!