Proud parents of 11 children convey truths of Catholic faith by their word and example

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. (Catholic Explorer) - Members of St. Joseph Parish in Bradley and residents of Bourbonnais, John and Lupita Sorich and their 7-year-old son, Michael, reflect on the concept of the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Michael is slated to receive the sacrament for the first time May 3 at their Kankakee County parish.

A child might not be familiar with the theology associated with transubstantiation, the scriptural foundations for the belief in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist or the development of the rite from the Last Supper to the modern age.

Nevertheless, young Michael Sorich said that during Mass wine and bread become the "blood and body" of Jesus. The 7-year-old believer is slated to receive the sacrament for the first time May 3 at his faith community, St. Joseph Parish in Bradley.

The boy's parents, John and Lupita Sorich, agreed that none of their kids have ever questioned the concept while preparing for first Communion. The couple has 11 children, ranging in age from 22 years to 1 year old. "We make Jesus the center of our everyday life," said Lupita, explaining what she views is the reason why her children have yet to have doubts about the Lord's presence in the Eucharist.

The youngsters and teens are surrounded by the teachings of the Church in their home. "It feels to me that they understand," added the caring mother, who works as a loan officer and personal banker.

The clan recites the rosary together and reads Scripture. "We pray as a family," said John. The parents have worked hard to introduce activities that reinforce church teachings. Many of these have become family traditions, including singing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus on Christmas Day. "We try to bring them closer to God," stressed the devoted father, who works as a mail carrier.

Eucharistic devotion

With Michael's first Communion nearing the horizon, John and Lupita talked with the Catholic Explorer at their Bourbonnais home about sharing the idea of the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist with their children. "It is so important to us," said John. He explained that he only knows how to educate them by example. "We teach them that Jesus is present," he said. The Eucharist is "the center of the church," he added, stressing that he and his wife take the responsibility of passing on the belief quite seriously as parents.

"I still remember my first Communion," said Lupita, who immigrated to the United States from Mexico in the 1980s. "I was so excited. It was the best part of my childhood," added the woman of deep faith. The parents agreed they both delight in laying the foundation for the belief among their children. "It's something that is just passed on," added John.

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"I don't know what I would do without the Eucharist," said Lupita. "I know I'd feel very empty." Receiving the Lord's body and blood in Communion is "a great honor." John added, "But, it could be taken for granted by Catholics."

The couple said they rely on the teachers at St. Joseph School and parish leaders to help their children understand that God loves them. These people "complement" the lessons the kids learn at home, said John, applauding the formation his children receive as students and members of the parish youth group.

It isn't uncommon for priests and nuns to stop at the Sorich home and enjoy dinner with the large family. The parents welcome these visitors. They serve as role models and teachers of the faith for their children, said Lupita. When attempting to teach the youngsters about difficult concepts, such as the Trinity and the Eucharist, it is quite helpful to interact with people who have given their lives to spread the Gospel message and to serve the Lord's people, she reasoned.

The youngsters and teens are encouraged to put their faith into action by their parents. They are also inspired by clergy and religious, agreed John and Lupita.

The Eucharist "nourishes" believers and prompts them to serve others as Christ did during his public ministry, said Lupita. When she receives Communion, she said she feels the Lord calling her to assist those in need. She volunteers her time as a court translator for Spanish-speaking residents among other work with Hispanic community members. The busy mom also facilitates natural family planning classes. John stressed that his wife's faith is unconditional. "She just believes. That kind of faith is a gift from God," added the spouse.

Possible priestly vocation?

In response to the call "to love and serve the Lord" uttered by the priest or deacon after the congregants have received Communion, the Sorich children and their father volunteer their time at Kankakee County food pantries and other outreach organizations.

In the meantime, the fact that priests consecrate bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ is what prompted the couple's son, Sam, to pursue priestly studies, the seminarian told the Explorer during a telephone conversation.

The 18-year-old student, who is nearing the end of his first year of studies at St. John Vianney College Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., said people use their talents to succeed in their careers and other pursuits as well as to help others. A priest is called to "share in offering the greatest gift" as he celebrates the Eucharist. "There's no greater gift than the Eucharist," he said.

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About two years ago, Sam came to the understanding that he could share the Eucharist with others as a priest. "That blew me away. That changed my life," he said.

Lupita said that all of her family's blessings, including Sam's call to the priesthood, have been made possible because "of the grace of God."

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This story was made available to Catholic Online by permission of the Catholic Explorer(www.catholicexplorer.com), official newspaper of the Diocese of Joliet, Ill.