First Communicants share hopes and experiences in receiving the Eucharist

“At their recent retreat, third-grade children of Sts. Anne and Joachim parish practiced genuflecting as they entered the church, how to properly place their hands when creating a ‘throne’ for the Precious Body, and saying ‘Amen’ loud enough to be heard after Bishop Folda says, ‘the Body of Christ,’” said Connie Dulany, Religious Education Coordinator at Sts. Anne and Joachim Church in Fargo.

Likewise, many students around the diocese who recently received their First Communion or were preparing to receive the sacrament, shared their thoughts and hopes about the experience.

“After I was confirmed, I noticed they started the consecration. I got excited! I pictured the image from St. Faustina in my heart. It wasn’t long and it was my turn to receive Holy Communion. My heart shined, I did the best I could to stick out my tongue, the way our priest taught us. I was so happy to receive Jesus.” –Liza Steele, St. John’s, New Rockford

“Receiving my first Eucharist was a delight. Right before it was my time to receive I felt excited and nervous. It was one of the happiest moments of my life.” –Elise Guler, St. John’s, New Rockford 

“I enjoyed experiencing my First Communion with my aunt, Tracy, who was my sponsor for my Confirmation. She is also my godmother. Many other kids shared in the experience with me, some of my classmates, and also students from Carrington. The Bishop asked us many questions. I knew the answer to most of them. I was excited that he called on me to answer three or four of the questions!” –Cade Helseth, St. John’s, New Rockford

“I was afraid that I was gonna mess up at first so I was nervous, but I didn’t mess up. After I felt better. Then the next time at church I got to receive the Eucharist and now I get to receive the Eucharist every time.” –Eden Thorenson, St. Andrew’s, Westhope

“I was nervous at first, but when it was over I felt really good because I received the Eucharist. I was happy because now when I go to church I will receive the Eucharist.” –Kasen Beaudrie, St Andrew’s, Westhope

“I am excited to receive my First Holy Communion because I will be receiving Jesus for the first time. This will help me be closer to him and grow in my faith.” –Sawyer Olson, St. Maurice, Kindred

“When I first received Jesus in Holy Communion, I felt happy and holy.” –Peter Newman, St. James, Jamestown

“It was a very very very good day. It made me feel so very special. Thank you Jesus. I hope we have a great relationship for life!” –Benen Belzer, St. James, Jamestown

“My First Communion was joyful. Most of all I was excited to receive Jesus! I have loved taking communion every time we go to church. I try to concentrate on more things at church, be good, read the bible more, and say more prayers. I was filled with joy when I could receive Jesus and was very happy that day.” –Laura Heinle, St. Mathias, Windsor

“I was really excited. I was happy that I got to receive my sacraments and I was excited to grow closer to God. I'll share my love for Jesus each time I receive communion and that I will be filled with joy and happiness.” –Aubrie Schmaltz, St. Therese, Rugby
 
“I will pray and thank the Lord for always being with me after I receive communion.” –Allie Monroe, St. Therese, Rugby

 “I know that communion will help me. I am happy that Mrs. Leier was with me at my First Communion. I would like to have Communion every day.” –Karlee Selensky, St. Therese, Rugby
 
“It was very exciting to receive my First Communion. It felt very good to receive my Sacraments... I hope God fills me with grace every time I receive communion because I feel closer to Jesus.” –Isaiah Schann, St. Therese, Rugby
 
“It was exciting to receive First Communion because I got to see Bishop Folda. I also got to see Grandma Bernice, Grandma Charlotte, and Grandpa Arlen. I was happy to receive Jesus into my body. Each time I go to communion, I hope I remember to say an Act of Contrition before I receive Jesus. I will say my own prayers to Jesus afterwards because I am thankful.” –Chelsea Beth Blessum, St. Therese, Rugby
 
“I was excited to receive my First Communion because I wanted to see what the host tasted like. I was happy to see all the people who were there. Now that I have received my First Communion, I'll be closer to Jesus, like everyone who has had communion.” –Mia Oscarson, St. Therese, Rugby
 
 “I was excited to go to church to receive my First Communion. I felt really grown up. Now each time I receive communion, I will get closer to Jesus and get closer to heaven.” –Ryder Risovi, St. Therese, Rugby
 
 “I felt happy before and I felt excited after I received my First Communion. Each time I receive communion I hope it will make me more like Jesus and make me love Jesus more.” –Malic Kirchofner, St. Therese, Rugby
 
 “I was excited to put on my dress and receive the Body of Jesus at my First Communion. Now each time I receive communion I want to be more like Jesus and be closer to him. It is exciting and makes me want to learn more about Jesus and God.” –Reagan Wald, St. Therese, Rugby
 
 “When I received my First Communion, I was excited. It was exciting! I felt united with the whole Catholic family and my parents. It made me feel older! It brought me closer to Jesus. Now when I receive communion, I hope it will make me more and more like Jesus.” –Pendleton Wangler, St. Therese, Rugby

“I hope that when I receive my First Communion, it will strengthen my relationship with God and I get to start having more time in the church.” –Harper Lavelle Johnson, Holy Cross, West Fargo

“My hopes for when I receive my First Communion are for Jesus to give me the strength to help others when they need it and for the Holy Spirit to come into and guide me and for the Holy Trinity to come and help me do little things with great love.” –Kole Malarkey, St. Joseph, Devils Lake

“My hopes for my first communion are that I can be closer to Jesus, like going to Mass more, inspired to pray more, love God and Jesus more, make me more kind, and help me to become the best version of myself.” –Josie Brekhus, St Joseph, Devils Lake

“My hopes for when I receive my First Communion are to get closer to God and to pray more, and to go to church more, and to know God is with me.” –Vaya Everson, St. Joseph, Devils Lake
“My hope for when I receive First Communion is that Jesus gets inside me and makes me more thankful for the things he made.” –Connor Dumont, St. Joseph, Devils Lake

“I hope that I go to heaven and fulfill my mission. I hope that I stay close to God, go to church, and be the best version of myself.” –Jackson Schmaltz, St. Joseph, Devils Lake

“My hope for when I receive First Communion is that I become closer to God and love God more.” –Samantha Broyles, St. Joseph, Devils Lake

“I hope when I receive communion that I can get closer to God and so I may go to heaven. I also hope to pray more.” –Josephine Vetsch, St. Joseph, Devils Lake

“My hopes are to be my best version of myself and feel holy, be closer to God, be grateful, and do kind things.” –Luke Black, St. Joseph, Devils Lake

“My hopes for when I receive First Communion are to have the faith of Jesus and so I get used to communion.” –Jace Lyon, St. Joseph, Devils Lake

“My hopes are that God will fill me with grace and understanding so that I can become the best version of myself and grow in virtue. Also, so God will give me strength to follow him.” –Miriam Kaffar, St. Joseph, Devils Lake

“I hope that my First Communion will bring me closer to God and I will have a good life.” –Ryder Litzinger, St. Joseph, Devils Lake

“I hope I will be able to make it to church every Sunday. I hope I will pray more and be successful.” –Aubryn Wiberg, St. Joseph, Devils Lake

“I’m excited to have the bread and wine because I’ve been waiting for it.” –Christina Hershey, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Reynolds

“I hope I am able to eat the body and the blood of the Lord and it will help me get to heaven.” –Isabella Andree, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Reynolds

“I hope Jesus will help me be good by receiving his body and blood.” –Ethan Justin, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Reynolds

“I hope to eat the bread and body of Jesus to be a better person.” –Ben Leggige, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Reynolds

“I hope the Blood of the Lord transforms me.” –Hank Lessard, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Reynolds

“I hope that I get Jesus.” –Jakob Untersher, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Reynolds