Now my memory of Fr. Alex was a happy one. He would come out of the
rectory during lunch hour and visit all the kids playing outside the school
during lunch. We had returned from home for lunch, no busses in those dark
ages, and waited outside for our afternoon classes. Fr. Alex would simply walk
around the schoolyard. However,
you knew what was going to happen. He would take your finger and squeeze it
until you say “ouch.” Today, we would think there was something wrong with this
priest, but back then the kids thought it was funny to have the priest come up
to you and give you a squeeze. It was simply his way of being close and loving.
He would smile and laugh until the bell rang announcing time to return to
class.
Now we are nervous approaching the infamous “box.” We knew Fr. Alex was
on the other side of the screen except this time our “ouch” would be that we
were suppose to tell him when we were naughty. Sister Angela Therese, our
second grade teacher, had taught us our lessons that Jesus loves us very much
and wants to help us be good boys and girls. But we are still scared to go
inside that dark box and embarrassed to tell the priest that we shoved the
girls around until they cried or that we lied to our parents.
This Sunday morning, Miss Molly, our parish Sunday school teacher has
invited me to practice with her what our childrens’ First Penance will be like.
She taught the children that we confess to God via Father Matt the things we’ve
done wrong. However, the children were confused when it came to the idea of
asking Jesus for help but talking to me. So Miss Molly in her creative wisdom
told the kids to think of Jesus was Batman who would forgive them and I was
Robin, Jesus’ helper. That’s a first for me to be thought of as Robin. Come to
think of it, it was a brilliant idea!
No box, no dark church for these kids when they make their first
confession. Rather, the image on this Sonshine features a little character that
I have used these past 40 years. This my friends is “Pickles.” Looks like a bear,
but better yet when the child sits in front of me, I hand them “Pickles” to
calm their fears and talk about how Jesus loves them very much and wants to help
them be their best.
God loves us as we pray: “Consider
my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins.”(Psalm 25:18).
Lord, I pray for all my
Sonshine Friends who still find it difficult to seek your forgiveness. Let us
surrender our old memories and focus on your desire to renew our hearts with
your grace of peace and mercy.
