If you read the scriptures, the Christian scriptures, you would see that Jesus is always feeding people.  Today, it’s fish and bread for breakfast.  Any of you have fish for breakfast?  Jesus is kind of like Mom, isn’t he?  He’s always giving us something to eat.  Today of course, we celebrate the great gift that He’s going to give to you to eat, His body and blood, soul and divinity.  It is not a symbol of Jesus but truly Jesus Christ, himself.  He does that for a number of reasons.  He feeds us because he wants to nourish us.  We have to grow strong spiritually as well as physically.  He said, “I’ll be with you always, until the end of the world”, and He meant that physically as well as spiritually.  He feeds us and gives us Himself so that we could be close to Him.  In a few moments, I’ll read your letters and many of you are aware of that; that He’s close to you at Holy Communion.  Jesus also knew that we have a terrible hunger for God, a terrific hunger for God.  He helps to satisfy that hunger in Holy Communion.  Have you ever heard anyone say that you are what you eat?  You’ve heard that?  That’s the whole purpose of this: to become what you eat, to become Christ.  St. Paul did that and he said, “It is no longer I that live but Christ that lives in me.”  You are to become “little Christs” and therefore, you can change this world in a really big way.  You know most of this. 
 
The children were asked, “Why are you excited about receiving First Holy Communion?”  Kim Vo said “Dear Father…” They all say, Dear Father John Carney, very formal.  “I am excited about my First Holy Communion because I will receive the body and blood of Jesus.  It is like the feast that Jesus last shared with his disciples.  I will be able to share the feast at Church.  I will know that Jesus is with me.  I will also be blessed by God.”  That’s great Kim.  Kim’s parents, of course, were born in Vietnam and came here many years ago.
 
Donny Langan, where’s Donny?  His parents were born in Scotland.  “I want to receive because my godparents are coming from Scotland.”  Where are you?  Please stand so we can welcome you.  Welcome from Scotland.  God bless Scotland.  “My godparents are coming from Scotland.  I will be happy when I receive the body and blood of Jesus.”   Big party today too, right?  Are the Scottish people like the Irish?  We give money to kids.  He said, “No, not a chance.” 
 
Isabella Saeger, where’s Isabella?  Isabella said, “Because I won’t get thirsty or hungry if I receive the body and blood of Christ.”  That’s right.  You’ll be nourished spiritually.  “I will be happier because I will be drinking and eating the body and blood of Christ and I’ll stay awake more in Church.”
 
 I knew a priest that used to fall asleep during Mass, Father Keane may he rest in peace.  There’d be these long breaks after communion and then you’d hear Father Keene snoring. 
 
Isabella says, “I’ll stay awake more in Church.  I’ll get to be up more and I’ll get to see you more.”  Children have wonderful taste. 
 
Max Herrmann, where’s Max?  Max, it’s good to see you.  “I am excited about receiving my Communion because my Grandma will be there and I really like it when Omi comes.”  I think Oma means Grandma in German.  Where’s your Grandma?  Could you stand please?  (Applause) All the way from Germany, huh?  Nope?  New York?  Oh okay. But we have somebody from Germany here too.  Well, you’re from New York?  You speak pretty good English. 
 
Last week I met a guy; two weeks ago in Phoenix I met a guy from New York.  He was driving a cab and he says, (heavy New York accent), “This traffic is terrible.”  I said to him, “Well, what are you complaining about?  You’re from New York.”  He said, “How did you know I was from New York?” 
 
“Oma means Grandma in German.  We will have a party for me at my house afterwards.  I will get a few presents.   It will be the best day of my life.  I will remember this day for the rest of my life.”  You bet Max and so will we.
 
Ciara Carter, where’s Ciara?  Beautiful name means Claire.  Where are you Ciara?  Is that how you pronounce it Ciara?  (Pronounced Chee-ara)  How do you say it?  Ciara (pronounced See-ara), of course that’s Italian, you know for Claire and Claire had blond hair like you.  So there you go.  Ciara is excited about receiving because, “I want to be a real Catholic.  This is so exciting to know how to be a real Catholic.  I can’t wait until I do my First Holy Communion.  I’m glad I get to do it.  It’s going to be great.”  That’s right.  You’re joined to the other 1.2 billion Catholics.  We all receive the same communion and we are one body in Christ Jesus and our body just got a lot better looking with you in it.
 
Nick Koskelo.  Hi Nick.  Nick’s got the greatest glasses in the world.  He was at confession yesterday.  “First Communion means to me that I finally get to go up during Church and get a sacrament.  I feel amazed.  It’s just so cool.  First Communion is awesome.  I feel amazed that I can receive Jesus.”  You know, don’t change Nick because you’re young and you have this sense of wonder and awe and amazement.  The rest of us need to recapture that.  That’s a sign that you really love God when you think about God, you’re amazed, you’re in awe.  I know that when your parents think about you, they’re amazed.  I can just tell that.
 
Holly Aslam wrote this.  Where’s Holly?  There you are.  Her Dad went to Notre Dame.  Holly’s excited because it sounds exciting.  “I did First Communion because my brother did.  To me it is very, very, very fun.  In CCD it is also very, very, very fun.  I really think it is going to be wonderful.”  You bet Holly.  It’s going to be a great day.  You’ll be one with Christ.
 
JoAnna O’Neill who’s Mom is born in Ireland.  There’s Joanna.  “I’m very excited about First Communion for many reasons.  First of all, I’m happy about receiving my first ever Communion.  Also, I really want to have Jesus inside me.  Once I start receiving First Communion, I want to be in your line every time.  Do you remember your First Communion?”  No.  I think we were six then.  We were younger so...  “If so, do you think it was alike or different than today?”  Probably pretty much the same.  You know we looked and dressed just like you’re dressed today.  Then she says, “You’re the best priest in the whole world.  P.S.:  I am not at all excited about wearing this dress.  I have not worn a dress in three years.”
 
Alexandra Curro.  What a beautiful name and a beautiful young girl.  “Because I won’t be able to cross my arms anymore unless I eat and it is not an hour yet before Communion time.”  So, you’re going to have to fast an hour.  “I’ll take Communion for the rest of my life.”  You bet, Alexandra.  And may it be a long life.  “Me and my friends that are Catholic will be able to take Communion together.  I’ll be able to wear my white dress and veil.  I’ll get to wear the dress that I got when I was four for First Communion.”  So you’ve been getting ready for this for five years, huh?  That’s beautiful and you look great.
 
Matthew Coriz and his parents just went “uh-oh.”  “Because I’ve always wanted to go up there and receive the body and blood of Christ.  Right now, we are just eating unblessed host.”  They practice before this at rehearsal.  “Right now we are eating unblessed host and I have been wanting to have the blessed host.  I’ve wanted to taste real wine too.  Another reason I want to have First Holy Communion is all of my family members will be there.  They, my family members, will be very proud of me” Amen.  They are very proud.  They love you, Matthew.
 
Isabelle Runde.  Her Dad, Wolfgang, is from Germany.  “I am very excited about First Holy Communion because I will have the body and blood of Christ in me.  I feel more like I’ll be a member of the Church.  At home, I’m pretty busy practicing my songs and how to receive the body and blood of Christ.  In class, we have been thinking about baptism.  I already have my dress.”  Are your grandparents here by any chance?  They are, from Germany.  Would you please stand?  Welcome Opa and God bless Germany.
 
I wonder if the Germans are like the Irish giving gifts of money.  Opa’s an easy touch.  You can tell.
 
Cavan Morley.  Where’s Cavan?  Cavan, they named a whole county in Ireland after you.  “I’m excited to receive Communion because I finally can stop crossing my arms.”  You know what he’s talking about.  Kids, before they receive, they have to cross their arms so the priest, or deacon or Eucharistic minister knows not to communicate them.  “I finally can stop crossing my arms.  It gets to be annoying after awhile.”  Write a letter to the Monitor on that.  “Another reason why I’m excited is because my Grandma and my cousin are coming.  I love it when they visit.  I really can’t wait.”  Where’s Grandma and the cousin?  Welcome. Are you from Maryland?  Is that right?  Yes.  I remember we were praying for you and your husband this past year. God bless you.
 
Rosalia Olivas.  Your Mom and Dad are right over here.  “I’m excited since I was really a small kid I have been wondering what Communion is like.  I was all jealous of my parents because they got to go to Communion and I didn’t.  But most of all I want to have Communion because I want to be a follower of Jesus.”  Well, that’s right Rosalia.  You’ll be one with Jesus.  Beautiful.
 
Andrea C’de Baca.  She’s very excited about First Communion, “because I wanted to say my sins so bad.”  See, they have to go to First Confession first and she wanted to go to First Confession.  “It was really fun.”  Speak to the adults Andrea.  “I want to do it again.”  See?  “My family came.  I got to wear my favorite dress.”  You look beautiful.
 
Devon McCleskey.  “Because it will help connect me to the Church.”  That’s right because we’re one body and this Communion physically joins us together as one body in Christ.  “Because it will encourage me to participate in Church.  Because I will learn more about the Church, because it’s hard work.”  Tell me about it.  “Because I think I’m going to have fun.”  That’s right Devon.  That’s a good letter.
 
Zealand Walterscheid.  “Because I’m going to get to see a lot of my family.  I get to wear my new outfit.  Because we can pray the rosary after Church.  Because we are going to have a party.”  You heard about that rosary family.  I know what you’re doing right after mass.  That’s wonderful Zealand.  It’s wonderful to see a family who prays the rosary.
 
Isaac Dunwoody, the eldest of four boys and the first to receive his First Holy Communion.  As a matter of fact, Isaac’s youngest brother is going to be baptized in between this Mass and the next Mass.  So, it’s a big day for the Dunwoodys.  “Because I will be able to receive Jesus’ body and blood for the first time.  My arms are really tired by crossing them a lot.  My Grandparents are coming for my First Holy Communion.  They’re coming from Indianapolis.  My Aunt is coming from I think Purdue or Illinois.  My uncle is coming from Washington, DC.  It’s going to be really fun.”  Where is Isaac’s family?  You’re all very welcome.  I was in Indianapolis last week.
 
Haley Aslin.  “Because I finally get to eat the body and blood of Christ and I’m also happy because I get to have it with my friends and because I get to finally walk down the aisle with you.  I also am happy because I get to wear a pretty dress.”  You sure do get to wear a pretty dress.  You’re beautiful Haley.  Grandma’s real proud of you.
 
Claudia Rice.  “Because I get to receive the body and blood of Christ and that I become a real member of the Church.”  Well you were a real member before but you’re more in wholeness with the whole Church now so we’re happy for you Claudia.
 
Mary Brug.  Mary’s excited, “because I can participate in the whole Mass.  I have been looking forward to receiving the Body and Blood of Christ.”  That’s wonderful Mary. 
 
Sofia Roybal.  “Because I will be closer to God.  I am also excited because when I am in line to get First Communion I’ll be able to receive the body and blood of Christ.  Another reason why I am excited is that I’ve been waiting all these years to see how it feels like to receive First Communion and now it’s finally here.”  That’s wonderful.  Beautiful family.
 
Elise Koskelo.  I bet you could tell some stories about your brother couldn’t you?  “Because that I feel that I’ll come a step closer to God.  It seems like a great honor to receive the body and blood of Christ.  It feels so good when God is right there with me.  People talk about Communion all the time and I hear it is a great thing.  Now I can finally receive God.”  Beautiful Elise.
 
Jordan Duran.  “Because I’m getting the body and blood of Christ.  I’m also excited because I’ll be closer to the Church.  Mrs. Stephens has been showing us how to receive Communion.  I can’t wait to go up to the altar and not have my arms crossed.  It is going to be great to get the body and blood of Christ because Jesus will be closer to me.” You bet you will Jordan.
 
Mackenzie Mork.  “Because I wanted to get First Communion in the first grade and because I can’t wait.  I want to be a helper and be able to receive the body and blood of Christ, become more of the Church.”  Yes McKenzie you are exactly right.
 
Elizabeth Janke.  Are you the last of the Jankes to receive?  No there’s one more.  “Because I feel so good to receive Jesus and I know it will be like the best day ever.  Because it must feel like Jesus is right next to you.  It will feel like Jesus is really in your heart.  I can’t wait.  I wish I could receive now.”  That was from March 18th.
 
One last thought for the children and for all of us, when you receive First Holy Communion, it should change you.  As we said, you become more like Christ because Christ is in you.  It should change you.  Let me read a little note.  This is written by Mother Teresa.  Any of you remember her?  It’s hard to believe but Mother Teresa died before these children were born, but you’ve heard of her.  She died in 1997.  Mother Teresa wrote this.  Remember she was in India and she helped the very poor people.  She said, “A girl came from outside India to join the missionaries.  We have a rule that the very next day new arrivals must go to the home for the dying.  I told the girl, “You saw Father during Mass.  With what love and care he touched Jesus and the host.  Do the same when you go to the home for the dying because it is the same Jesus you will find in the broken bodies of the poor.”  And she went.  “After three hours the newcomer came back and said to me with a big smile, ‘Mother I have been touching the body of Christ for three hours.’  And I said to her, ‘How?  What did you do?’  She replied, ‘When we arrived there, they brought a man who had fallen into a drain and had been there for some time.  He was dying and covered with wounds and filth and dirt and I cleaned him and I knew I was touching the body of Christ.’”
 
That’s what it does.  It changes us.  St. John Chrysostom, one of our fathers of the Church said, “Don’t dress in your finest and come to Church to receive Christ if you pass Him by on the street disguised as a poor person.”
 
Therefore, this is going to change us and make us love people, to make us respect every human person and especially those who need some help.  They’re closer to God and we need to be closer to them.  Never forget that.  Although, today may be the First Communion, may you receive Communion until you are 100.  Then may you see this same Jesus, face to face.
 
God bless you.