Dad's First Communion.

A very happy day in every young Catholic's life is their First Communion. Usually happening around the age of 7 years old. Believe it or not, up until the reign of Pius X, who passed away in 1914, the typical age of First Communion and Confirmation was 14 yrs. old! Dad would have received his first communion in the days prior to Vatican II when only the host was received kneeling at the railing on the tongue only. Grandma Rita saved several pictures and memoralbilia from the day, so thought I'd share with you. 

Dad's First Holy Communion. May 22, 1960. Dad is in first row, first boy standing to the left. His first cousin, Janet Kreiser is little girl in second row, third from right. Parish priest is Rev. Fr. Francis Karl. Fr. Karl was a very well liked pastor at St. Mary's. Served as principal, drove the school bus, did a lot of handyman work and maintenance himself as to save money for the parish.

Dad kneeling after receiving Communion.

Confirmation would follow a year or two later by Bishop Allen J. Babcock of Grand Rapids. Dad took the Confirmation name, Francis, as did I when I was Confirmed in 1996, although I seriously was considering the name Patrick.