Young boy lives dream of ‘being a priest’ for a day

Last updated on: April 9, 2015 at 9:56 pm by CNA Daily News

Young boy lives dream of ‘being a priest’ for a day 2015-04-09T21:56:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

St. Louis, Mo., Apr 9, 2015 / 03:56 pm (CNA).- Archbishop Robert J. Carlson and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped one young boy to live his dream by experiencing, in part, what it’s like to be a priest for a day.

Eileen Haubrich said that her son, 11-year-old Brett, didn’t “want anything” like a trip to Disneyland or the chance to meet a celebrity when he was approached by Make-A-Wish Missouri.

“For years, he has loved the Mass and been religious,” she told the St. Louis Review. “He has such a good heart. He's a very caring boy.”

The foundation then asked what he wanted to do when he grew up. Brett said he wanted to be a priest, or else a doctor or an engineer.

Brett, the second of Conrad and Eileen Haubrich’s four children, has served Mass at his family parish and his school church, but “being a priest for a day” was a special honor that Archbishop Carlson himself helped plan, reported the archdiocesan publication.

The Haubrichs told several priests they knew about their son’s wish, and many of them had creative ideas such as having Brett serve a Saturday Mass at the cathedral or letting him and his dad spend a night at the rectory.

Then, Fr. Nick Smith, Master of Ceremonies at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, suggested that Brett serve at the Chrism Mass and the Mass of the Lord’s Supper during Holy Week.

Archbishop Carlson, who was standing nearby when Fr. Smith received the phone call from the Haubrich family, was enthusiastic about the idea and added a few additions of his own.

“He was throwing out ideas right and left, 'Let's do this, let's do that',” Fr. Smith said of the archbishop to the St. Louis Review. “He said, 'Put him in there; we'll wash his foot'.”

“Before you knew it, it turned into a whole day.”

On Holy Thursday, Brett processed in with the priests, deacons and seminarians at the Chrism Mass. Later that day, he had his feet washed during the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper. A seminarian even loaned him a collar to wear while serving the Masses.

Taking part in these Masses was especially meaningful to the boy, who has a special devotion to the Eucharist.

“I like receiving the Body and the Blood,” he told the St. Louis Review.

Archbishop Carlson also invited him for a luncheon with priests and deacons after the Chrism Mass and dinner with seminarians at his residence.

“The whole thing,” he answered when asked what his favorite part of the day was. “It was really neat for them to let me do this stuff.”

Brett is fighting a grade three brain tumor known as anaplastic astrocytoma, according to his GoFundMe page, set up by his therapy team to help his family cover his medical bills.

He is undergoing chemo and radiation therapy since brain surgery is not an option.

“He is a strong boy that needs prayers,” the message on his website said.

Previous Post

April 9, 2015

The Vatican considers – what does vocational formation look like in the modern age?

Next Post

April 9, 2015 Kasper is not the 'Pope's theologian,' says leading African cardinal

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which Christian group is known for its rejection of military service and political involvement?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Amish Baptist Assemblies of God Methodist