Every year, our parish prepares hundreds of our children for their first holy communion. I usually ask the kids before they process inside the Church what they feel, and almost all of them would express that they are both happy and excited. Let that thought linger in your minds, and then I want you to shift your imagination to a couple who could not honestly receive the Eucharist due to an irregular situation of divorce and remarriage outside the Church. I want you to imagine the joy that they have once they have been given a chance to rectify their situation and receive Jesus once again. This is not hard to imagine because this situation has occurred many times over in our parish through the loving support of our volunteers and the courage of those involved in such relationships.

Let it be clear, the process is not simple, but it is doable. Getting an annulment may not be as fast as getting your license from the DMV, but we can assure you that you will be helped by dedicated volunteers who have committed themselves to do all they can to get you back to the sacraments. All that you need to do is take that courageous first step and trust that your parish loves you and your fellow parishioners want you to live a full Eucharistic life.

The situation I mentioned above is for those who have external circumstances that prevent them from getting married in the Catholic Church. However, it is a pity that there is a substantial number of couples who do not have anything that prevents them from getting married in the Church except for easily surmountable obstacles. Many have been married civilly and have no previous relationships yet have not merely gotten around to take that step of inquiring at the parish office. Some have been discouraged not because of an actual obstacle but with just a perceived one, mistakenly believing that a setback in the requirements equates to an overwhelming roadblock. A few months ago, during a house blessing, I met a couple who had started the process of joining our convalidation weddings but dropped out of the program because they could no longer retrieve their old Church records. In just a few minutes, I was able to determine a solution for their quandary. They just picked up where they left off and were able to join the next scheduled convalidation wedding two weeks after.

There is no real obstacle in making that first brave step to make things right. A few brave steps to go to the confessional or a couple of taps on the phone to set up an appointment for either the Marriage Case Ministry or the Convalidation Ministry: that is all it takes to begin a process that can lead to inner peace in both mind and soul. Let us go back to our childhood and remember our own excitement to receive Jesus in communion. That moment can be recaptured if we ask the Lord for courage.

Speaking of the Eucharist, I was blessed to have the chance to give what may be one of the last communions to the Founder of the Marian Missionaries of the Holy Cross, Letty Tordesillas Albert. She was a laywoman who responded to God’s call of discipleship and service; it eventually led her to be instrumental in starting a religious congregation of priests, the very same ones who are now in the 10th year of service to the parish. She passed away last July 11 at 9:02 am, Philippine Time (July 10, 6:02 pm Pacific Time). I may write more about her next week. In the meantime, please pray for her eternal rest.