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May 1, 2026The following homily was delivered by Deacon Leon Mazza at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Tucson, AZ on Saturday, April 25, 2026.
Girls and boys today is a very important and special today for you and your families. It is also a very important and special day for Jesus because he is coming to you for the first time in Holy Communion.
You have been looking forward to this day with excitement and Jesus has also been looking forward to this day because Jesus loves you and wants to give himself in love to you in Holy Communion and wants you to love him.
We always want to be our best to meet Jesus. So, you have put on beautiful clothes today. But there is something more important than putting on nice clothes to meet Jesus—having our heart and soul ready to meet Jesus.
We would not want to have dirty clothes on us meeting Jesus, and we would not want to have a dirty heart or soul when meeting Jesus.
That is why you went to confession earlier, to clean up before meeting Jesus. That is because confession is not once for life; confession is something we need often so that we are clean to meet Jesus.
Girls and boys, you know a great miracle takes place during every Mass. When Father lifts the bread at the consecration, the bread changes into the body of Jesus though it continues to look like bread and the wine in the chalice changes into the blood of Jesus though it continues to look like wine.
If a couple got married and had a lovely wedding celebration but split with each other at the end of the day we would say, “what a tragedy.”
In the same way, it would be very strange to receive Holy Communion here today and not come to Mass again.
So, girls and boys, remind your parents or the grownups in your house that Jesus said not to prevent children coming to him.
Every Sunday, say to them, “I want to go to meet Jesus. I cannot go to meet Jesus if you don’t take me. Please take me to meet Jesus. Jesus said not to prevent children going to him.”
Parents and grownups, of course this is a great day for you. You and everyone want the best for these children. What is best for them? Jesus. Help them to stay close to Jesus and Mary. There is nothing greater you can give your children.
And the final word to you girls and boys. Jesus loves you and wants you to be happy. Always remember that Jesus and his mother Mary love you. Mary is our mother in heaven who loves you and wants to watch over you. Pray to Jesus and his mother Mary every day.
ALWAYS REMEMBER, NO MATTER WHERE WE ARE, NO MATTER WHAT WE DO, GOD LOVES US!
Deacon Leon Mazza used excerpts based on a homily by Fr. Tommy Lane in 2025. It was delivered at a parish in Ireland.