“Every Sunday Tommy’s family drove to a funny looking building, with a lowercase “t” on the roof.  Tommy knew it was a “t” because Tommy had just finished first grade and he knew how to write and read all the letters.”

Thus begins a delightful story of the Mass as seen through the eyes of a 7-year old and artfully told by Fr. Kyle Kowalczyk, a priest of the Archdiocese of Minneapolis/St. Paul.  What we quickly learn about Tommy is that, although he knows all his letters, he doesn’t really know too much about church.  His ideas about what is going on during the Mass made me smile and sometimes laugh out loud.  But they also made me think.  Because, despite the fact that Tommy lacks knowledge, he does not lack faith and in his faith, God is touching his heart.  We also see in Tommy’s perceptions, the deepest desires of his 100% boy heart, a desire for adventure and a life full of heroes and epic battles against the “bad guys.”  

In this Year of the Eucharist, Tommy can teach all of us something about the beauty and the power of the Mass.  He also gives us a glimpse into his heart.  Finally, he manages to share with us a beautiful picture of the priesthood.  All that in the context of a story for children.  Each segment is only seven minutes long.  This week, take some time to listen to the story of Tommy by clicking the link below or by searching for Catholic Sprouts on your favorite podcast app (episodes 406-410) and then, please, share it with the children in your life!  Because, good stewards:

• foster a love for the sacraments in themselves and their families
• regularly teach all ages about vocations
• participate in diocesan events
• cultivate and support holy families
• are willing to make their faith visible and to share it with others

                       (from the Characteristics of a Stewardship Parish)