That First Sunday Away from Home
I remember the day vividly - Cid was the responsible junior; he woke the dorm up early after a late Saturday night social for the freshmen. I was one of those freshmen about to complete my first week on campus. He was going to treat us to breakfast off campus…apparently breakfast pizza. About two dozen freshmen followed Cid through campus that morning. To our surprise, our trek didn’t end up at a pizza parlor but rather at a Church.
If we wanted pizza, we had to go in.
I was afraid and panicky because I had not been in Church since middle school. Cid sensed my uneasiness and slid in the polished pew next to me. The service was in Spanish and Cid ignored the soft freshman groans like a parent ignores their whining children. I struggled through the Spanish service, but I was surprised at how much I could remember… standing and sitting and kneeling on cue, two readings, a gospel reading, a homily (thankfully some English mixed in), the Our Father prayer, among other parts.
I remembered how boring and useless I thought Church was as I grew up. How I didn’t step into a Church after barely completing Confirmation because I finished the requirement. Growing up, communion was the signal that Mass was almost over, so my body eased after I took a small sip of consecrated wine and I returned to sit with the others.
Cid kept his word after Mass and took us all for breakfast pizza at Little Caesars. As I chomped on my last, greasy slice, Cid pulled me aside, and asked, “Haven’t been in church in a while, huh?” “Why do you say that?” I said defensively with, “The service was in Spanish, how was I supposed to follow along?” “You did great”, Cid said and continued,” but Church isn’t about following along, it’s about being with your community. Every Sunday, you can choose to sleep in, go for a hike, sit around, whatever… or you can choose to join your community and be grateful and serve others. This is your first Sunday from ‘home’, and the first and last Sunday that I’ll wake you up to go to Church. After today, you can choose to go to Church or not to go to Church and whatever you decide to do, know that Jesus will continue to love you day in and day out.”
I still remember that day vividly.
My family have been parishioners at St. Charles Borromeo since moving back to the Bay Area from the Central Valley almost eight years ago. I have the pleasure and honor of being a Lector, a Eucharistic Minister and Catechist here at this parish; I am truly grateful for the love and support this community has for one another, especially our young people. St. Charles Borromeo is the Patron Saint of Cardinals, Bishops, Priests and Catechists; people called to teach and share the Word of Christ. As a catechist, I strive to help make sure our youth know that Jesus loves them and will always be there for them; like he has been there for me - whether I knew it or not, whether I wanted it or not. I pray that your children choose, on that first Sunday away from home, to get up and join their community at Church.
– Ed Quindipan
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