I recently heard a wonderful, non-Catholic Pastor tell his congregation to "Lighten up, Christians!" After which he proceeded to tell some cute jokes. Here is my story in this vein!
In the late '50's I was preparing for my pre-Vatican II First Holy Communion/First Confession. It was Lent and Sr. Jean de Baptiste was telling us that we should do something for the poor children. (Remember those purple cardboard boxes for putting our Lenten Pennies in?) Well, she went on to explain how the poor children of the world live and how they have nothing to eat so we should do something special for them this Lent.
I did! (Or so I thought in the eyes of a 7yr old) My mother and the Principal, Sr. Mary Fatima didn't agree. I had given up chocolate for Lenten sacrifice so I guess candy bars were dancing before my eyes.......
My mother was called to school to a conference in Sr. Fatima's office. As she entered the principal's office she noticed her frightened, tearful child first. Then she noticed one of those huge paper shopping bags full of candy sitting on Sr.'s desk.
The manager from the Supermarket down the street called and alerted the School that one of their students (complete in uniform and saddle shoes) had entered their store during lunchtime and proceeded to fill a paper bag with candy and leave the store without paying. After a school-wide search, my teacher came up with the "evidence" from her offerning table!
I still remember the twinkle in the principal's eye as she "gravely" tried to explain stealing to me and meted out my "punishnent" which was to go return the candy and apologize to the store manager.
I learned two lessons that day! Don't steal and everything has a price!
Donna
P.S. - Evenings were spent learning about money and earning it....um, through extra not so pleasant chores. Hehehehehe.
In the late '50's I was preparing for my pre-Vatican II First Holy Communion/First Confession. It was Lent and Sr. Jean de Baptiste was telling us that we should do something for the poor children. (Remember those purple cardboard boxes for putting our Lenten Pennies in?) Well, she went on to explain how the poor children of the world live and how they have nothing to eat so we should do something special for them this Lent.
I did! (Or so I thought in the eyes of a 7yr old) My mother and the Principal, Sr. Mary Fatima didn't agree. I had given up chocolate for Lenten sacrifice so I guess candy bars were dancing before my eyes.......
My mother was called to school to a conference in Sr. Fatima's office. As she entered the principal's office she noticed her frightened, tearful child first. Then she noticed one of those huge paper shopping bags full of candy sitting on Sr.'s desk.
The manager from the Supermarket down the street called and alerted the School that one of their students (complete in uniform and saddle shoes) had entered their store during lunchtime and proceeded to fill a paper bag with candy and leave the store without paying. After a school-wide search, my teacher came up with the "evidence" from her offerning table!
I still remember the twinkle in the principal's eye as she "gravely" tried to explain stealing to me and meted out my "punishnent" which was to go return the candy and apologize to the store manager.
I learned two lessons that day! Don't steal and everything has a price!
Donna
P.S. - Evenings were spent learning about money and earning it....um, through extra not so pleasant chores. Hehehehehe.
