My oldest daughter Anna had her First Communion today and here is a letter to her!
Dear Anna Rose Kenney, You have a very special name so lets look at it.
1) Your last name is Kenney. It should remind you of being Irish. The Irish are special because nothing is more important to the Irish than being Catholic. Always remember that your Catholic Faith in Jesus is your most treasured possession.
2) Your middle name is Rose. Rose was a wonderful young woman from the country of Peru and she was the first canonized saint in our part of the world. You are my first child and you are called by Jesus to be a Saint.
3) Your first name is Anna. Anna was the wife of Tobit and Anne was the mother of Mary! Anna supported Tobit as he carried out the brave work of honorably burying his fellow Hebrews when their bodies were thrown over the walls of Ninevah. One day you will probably be called to be a wife and support your husband as the two of you do brave and courageous work for God. And one of the greatest works will be, like Anne, to be a mother. And maybe one of your children will be chosen by God for a very special task!
4) Your initials form the word ARK. God used a boat called an ARK to save Noah and his family. God stored his 10 commandments in a wooden box called an ARK. This ARK of the Covenant was placed inside the Temple where it held the special presence of God. Finally, Mary’s tummy is sometimes called an ARK because it held Jesus (and Jesus was the special presence of God on Earth!).
5) And finally, your name forms a sentence. Anna rose. Today you receive Holy Eucharist for the first time. When you receive Jesus, you will stand in his presence in a very special way. And just as Jesus died and Jesus rose……so too is Jesus calling you to Rise! If you believe in Jesus and are repentent, then one day you will experience the fullness of Resurrected Life. Today through your First Holy Communion, you get a little taste of Eternal LIfe!!!
Anna, it is your Mother and I’s great Honor to be your parents. We could not have asked for a better girl :)
Love, Your Dad
April 26, 2009
