Napoleon religion teacher celebrates 52nd First Communion

Her children and grandchildren are now involved

(NAPOLEON, Ind.) – Twelve second graders received the sacrament of first Communion at St. Maurice Catholic Church in Napoleon on Sunday afternoon. 

The boys wore suits and the girls were dressed in white as they received the Eucharist for the first time after nearly a years-worth of preparation. 

The Mass also marked the 52nd first Communion for Patty Simon who serves as the Coordinator of Elementary Religious Education for St. Maurice. 

Since 1973, Simon has spent countless hours, and some of her own money, helping young children learn prayers, study the Bible, make crafts, and practice how to receive Communion. 

Simon has also taught kids about the importance of Communion while discussing Jesus in the classroom.   

“I learned that Jesus is the most powerful person in the world,” one second grader told The 812. 

Simon chose to teach religion to second graders more than 50 years ago and has never looked back. 

“I always said that if this ever got to be a job that I would quit, because it needs to be fun,” Simon said. “It’s just fun to see them learn and take it into their heart.”

She’s helped three generations of St. Maurice parishioners prepare for their first Communion. 

On Sunday, she had tears in her eyes after Mass as she hugged some of her alumni who are now parents, and grandparents, of the newest first Communion recipients. 

“There is one little girl this year that reads the Bible every night, and that is an inspiration to me. And I happened to have her mom and dad in this class several years ago and they were both very faithful then,” Simon said. 

First Communion at St. Maurice Catholic Church has become a family affair for the Simon’s.

Less than an hour before Mass, Patty was in the classroom putting scapulars on each student as two of her grandchildren assisted her.

Her daughter, Eva, and granddaughter, Shaylee, were down the hallway at the same time taking photos of each first Communion recipient. 

Patty's son, Scott, sang during the Mass and her daughter, Mary, helped during the celebration following the first Communion.

“We have wonderful families here and our St. Maurice parents are just great, and they raise their children to be good Catholics. And I so appreciate that," Patty added.

Patty's granddaughter Shaylee owns a photography company called Moments into Memories and she took these photos yesterday: