The Mass

Fourth grade at my school is the first year that the children are allowed to read the readings at Mass. In my first year working with fourth graders last year, this was such an exciting event, everyone wants to read at Mass! This week, it was announced that fourth grade had the responsibilities for the Mass. We would be responsible for the readings, gifts, and alter servers. As soon as the announcement was said over the intercom, I had five students immediately say they did not want to read. Eeek, this is not the same thing I got last year.

I picked my gift bearers, my readers, and my alter servers, I thought it was a done deal, until...

Today, on Thursday we always go up into the church to practice before we attend Mass on Friday. I begin by going over when you go up to read with the students, how to properly bow, and where the microphone should be when we read. At last it is time to let our readers take a turn reading, up comes Adrian to read and he begins to read and the tears begin to flow. What have I done? I have picked a child who is nervous to go up and read. Typically all children are nervous, but never had I have one to cry and running through my mind is,

"Dear Lord, it is Thursday and we say Mass tomorrow, what do I do?"

The children begin to ask why is Adrian crying?

"He has allergies," I tell them.

"But what is he allergic to, Ms. J.?" Regina asks.

"I have no idea." I sit there puzzled as to what I should do. I cannot let this child fall apart in front of the entire congregation tomorrow.

When it is time to leave I walk along beside Adrian and ask, "Did you want to read?"

"No." The tears begin to come back.

"Would you like me to ask another student?"

"No."

Tonight I pray that we make it through the Mass.