The lyrics to the song, or at least the title has been going through my mind for a couple weeks now. While at Dick’s Sporting Goods, my son, Jack, found $35 on the ground. He wanted to give it to the people right in front of us, figuring they had dropped it. But he reconsidered, since he wasn’t sure it was theirs. So I told him we could turn it in to the front desk and ask them to call us if no one claimed after a short time. We did that.

As we left the store, Jack was sure he was going to get the money back. He asked me if it would be okay to give $25 of it to St. Anne. Of course I told him it was a great idea. He thought for a few minutes more and asked if $10 might be okay, since the hockey goal he had his eye on was around $25. I said that would still be okay, that it was great that he was thinking of others and wanted to give part of his windfall away. He didn’t try to bargain any lower that day, but every once in a while through the next few weeks, as we waited for the store to contact us, he tested to see if I would let him go any lower. He was still very excited about giving the money away, so he did not blink when I said that he had to honor his original plan.

As days went by, he kept wondering why they hadn’t called and had me call the store a couple times. I called a few times and earlier this week, we were able to pick up the money. He couldn’t wait to spend it,  but even more, he couldn’t wait until we could go to Mass this weekend so he could donate it.

As we arrived today, he found the envelopes and very carefully printed his name on it. He made sure to put the money in himself and lick the envelope. He kept asking when we would be able to put it in the basket. Finally, the moment arrived and he very proudly took the envelope and dropped it in the basket. His ear to ear grin as he returned to his seat made me proud.

Whether he learned it directly or indirectly through observation, he has been taught well. And I think the best teachers in the world are the parishioners at St. Anne’s.

Getting five children ready for Sunday mass is always an adventure.  No doubt that we are searching for that matching shoe just minutes before we are suppose to leave or trying to rally our 15 year old to make it on time.  I can only hope when he emerges from his room at 9:59 that he has on a “mother approved” outfit suitable for church.  This past summer we gave him the 10-minute leaving notice and announced to him to be in the car by 10:00am.  As the clock on the car read 10:03 my husband pulled away without him.  Luckily for our son we only live a few blocks from church and just before the entrance song began to play he arrived via his bike. 

 As we make our way to church each Sunday the car ride itself can be an adventure.  We are fortunate to live very close to St. Anne so with a little luck there won’t be too many arguments in the car.  We have normal children who argue with their siblings on a regular basis; who gets to sit in front, who sat there last time, who is taking too much room up in the car.  Again, it would be easier to go alone.

 There are countless Sunday mornings when it would be so much nicer to attend mass by myself and leave the “gang” behind.  I know I would certainly get more out of the homily if I were able to sit without any distractions.  I always feel it is a successful mass if no one asked to go to the bathroom or get a drink.  I’m not sure why they even ask because my answer is always no. It is also great if we make it through the sign of peace without any tears because their brother shook their hand to tight.

This year our girls decided to join the newly formed children’s choir.  It has been a wonderful experience and we are thankful for Melanie’s leadership.  Annemarie, our fourth child and middle girl, was asked to sing the responsorial psalm for the November 2nd mass.  With only a couple of days to prepare for this opportunity she put her whole heart and soul into preparing.  She sang in the bathroom, she sang in the car, she sang in her room.  She was well prepared for her role that Sunday morning and couldn’t wait to lead the church in song that day.  As she walked with confidence to the ambo, I was so proud of her confidence and willingness to take this challenge.  She sang out beautifully that morning as if she had been doing it forever.  I couldn’t help to think that her confidence came from her church family.   She knew that no matter what happened at the ambo that day, her church family would be behind her.  She had a feeling of belonging, and acceptance as she sang that truly came from the people of St. Anne. Our children feel so at home at St. Anne that this task seemed almost too easy for her. I don’t think that Melanie could have ever imagined what a great opportunity this was for both St. Anne and Annemarie.

 As we made our way home that day, the kids were all singing her song.  During the week, the song began to get on the other kids nerves because she sang it so much but now it seemed different.   I know each one of her siblings were equally as proud of her as her dad and I were, this was their way of showing it.

 So yes, our efforts are certainly worth it.  I wouldn’t trade our family time together at church for anything. Watching our littlest one set the baskets out, seeing the boys visiting with friends during hospitality, having each of them hold the doors for fellow parishioners and now watching our daughter lead us in song, all make it worth it. 

We will continue to search for that matching shoe, rally our teenagers and say no when they ask for that drink during mass.  It is worth it, the children are the future of our church.