December 21, 2007

Christmas Supplement

Christmas Mass unites family in their love for Jesus

By Catherine Grannan McCleary (Special to The Criterion)

Remembering past Christmases, I recall my family—my Mom and Dad, my five brothers and me—going to Mass at 5 a.m. at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis.

I was very young for my first memory around the 1940s.

We would get up in the dark and drive a long time to the church. Then we would go into this big gray church with columns taller than even my parents.

Inside, there were beautiful lights and decorations and all kinds of people kneeling.

I remember the beautiful Christmas music and Mass in Latin. I didn’t know much about it. As I grew older, I learned how important it all was.

There, on the side of the railing, was the Baby Jesus with Mary and Joseph and all the animals.

I learned that this was my friend, who was born on Christmas.

Every year after, to my recollection, we knelt to pray and say “hi” and how much we love Jesus, too.

When I grew older, I was also able to receive Jesus in holy Communion.

By this time, we were attending midnight Mass at the cathedral. Still, all our family attended Mass and received holy Communion.

Each year, we would go back home, have breakfast, open Christmas presents and enjoy each other’s company.

This tradition still goes on. Every year on one Sunday in December, we—the sons and daughters and our families—meet at one of the parish churches in Indianapolis, Brownsburg or Mooresville.

We attend Mass and receive holy Communion. Then we go somewhere to have dinner and enjoy each other’s company.

We’ve had aunts and uncles and cousins and other relatives join us. Sometimes we have around 75 to 80 people.

Oh, yes, we sing Christmas carols and songs, too. That was also a tradition that my parents started years ago.

So every year we all remember and thank the good Lord because we are still able to continue celebrating Baby Jesus’ birthday together.

Our Mom and Dad, two brothers, my husband and other relatives join us from heaven.

(Catherine McCleary is a member of St. Thomas More Parish in Mooresville.) †

Local site Links: