A Prayer Box and a Prayer

I could wallow in self-pity and lament about how crummy the last two weeks have been with Luke, or I can remember my word for 2012:  positivity.  I’m choosing the latter.  On Monday, I’ll have more to share about little Luke after we visit his gastroenterologist.  Yes, it’s really that bad.

Waa, waa.

Onward and upward.  Several months ago, I volunteered to be the gala coordinator for John Paul’s second grade class.  {what was I thinking?!}  I was just excited to have a little free time to give back to the school.  We haven’t had much of that lately and I had a passion for the second grade.  It’s a big sacramental year for many of them – First Reconciliation and First Communion.  If you’re not familiar with how many Catholic schools work, there are usually a few fund raisers throughout the year to make up for the difference between what we pay in tuition and what it takes to operate the school.  Yes, the school could just charge what it costs, but that’s not really making a Catholic education available to as many people as possible now is it?

Anyhoodle, in years’ past every class has done one project and then auctioned it off in the live auction at the annual gala.  Super idea except that some families (US! US!) can never really afford to bid hundreds or thousands of dollars on a class project.  I approached the development director about having the kids help us create an individual project and then making it available to every family for a suggested donation.  Long story short, they were willing to let us be the guinea pigs and try it out.

May I present…the second grade Angel Prayer Boxes.  All 52 of them.

Inside each felt-covered box is a space for all their religious articles – rosaries, prayer cards, medals, bracelets, etc.  That was my big criteria.  If we were going to ask parents to pay for these, I wanted them to be functional.  I despise paying money for something that just collects dust or gets shoved in a closet.

The boxes were painted in blue and silver, the school colors.  We took photos of every student and then had them draw a picture of the Holy Family (because, you know, that’s who we are!).  Here’s JP’s pictures.

Aside from how amazing they turned out – totally a Holy Spirit inspired project – I found myself saying some sweet prayers over those boxes as I worked on them.  John Paul is practically beside himself about First Communion.  He’s counting down the weeks.  That makes my heart so happy.  I remember what an amazing day it was for Will.  Life-changing, really.  He treasures all the things he received as gifts.  What a gift it will be to put all those same treasures in John Paul’s box, made a little more special in that I helped create it.  It’s my sincere prayer every second grade parent will know just how much love and care went into those boxes.  Our team spent hours painting, assembling and touching them up; I’m quite sure we would do it again.  Fr. Ron’s blessing of the medal, rosary and prayer card was especially touching.  Clare and Luke were with me when he blessed them all.  They probably won’t remember their wide eyes, but I do.

Holy Family – pray for us!