So many memories for me growing up are tied to Gatey.  Having the church so close to my house was probably a big part of it.  The fact that Chris and I went to the parish school probably also contributes.

When I was in third grade the boys in my class were asked if they wanted to by altar boys.  I would go to 4pm Mass and see familiar faces from my school and then hear about the boys in my class who got to leave for a hour or so to serve a funeral.  Seemed so unfair.  Chris was one of those boys.

In eighth grade I asked the pastor if I could help with the schedules for the altar servers and he agreed.  It was the only way to be involved.  And I liked to be in charge of things.  A few years later girls were permitted to be servers and I trained the first group including my sisters.  I continued with scheduling and training until I had the boys.  I am still very friendly with some of those kids and families!

So now Aidan is in third grade.  This past weekend he served his first Mass.  He did great!  I was so proud.  A couple of times as I watched him it was like watching Chris all those years ago.