I was pleasantly surprised by my two older sons one Sunday morning at The Feast Bay City. It was the first Sunday of August, and we had just started the new talk series, The Good Life.

During the prayer meeting, we were asked to share with our seatmates one simple thing that makes us feel good every day. Immediately, my heart whispered: Going to Mass. After all, it has been my daily source of strength, peace, and joy. But then I paused. The Holy Mass is not just a “simple thing.” It is a miracle—a sacred encounter with Jesus Himself. Moreoever, since I was sitting in between my children, I gave a lighter answer so that they can easily come up with an answer also. Thus, I said that one simple thing that makes me feel good each day is eating my favorite food. I wanted my children to recognize the little blessings of everyday life, too.

When it was their turn, my eldest son, who is now 16, answered: “Going to Mass.”

My 13-year-old followed with: “Serving in the Mass.”

And my youngest, who is 10, cheerfully shared: “Bears!”—his favorite toy.

At that moment, my heart overflowed with joy.

For more than a decade, I have been striving to bring my children with me to daily Mass. It was not always easy. There were seasons of carrying a baby while chasing after a toddler, of pacifying a preschooler in the pew, and of rushing little kids to get dressed so we wouldn’t be late. Sometimes, it meant making sure the kids were not noisy and disruptive during the Mass while still not stifling their curiosities and sense of wonder. There were also moments when I noticed people looking or reacting when my kids became a bit noisy or kept moving in our pew. On top of that, it often meant sacrificing comfort and sleep, adjusting schedules, and enduring unsolicited advice and harsh remarks from others about bringing my young children to Mass—many of whom did not even know that my kids had special needs and were more hypersensitive and hyperactive than typical children.

Still, I chose to persevere. I held on to the dream God had placed in my heart and trusted that every effort, no matter how small or unseen by others, was shaping my children’s faith. It was only by God’s grace that I found the strength to keep going, and His grace sustained me through every challenge.

That’s why hearing my children’s sincere answers at The Feast touched me so deeply. It was like God’s gentle confirmation that my dream was slowly unfolding before my eyes. Even more heartwarming is the fact that today, all three of them now serve in the choir in two parishes during our daily Masses—on their own accord, out of love and devotion. In truth, they had been serving since they were little: my eldest started playing the piano in the Mass at 6 years old, my middle child started singing with the KID’s Choir at 4 years old, and my youngest at 5 years old. Watching them grow in this ministry has been one of the greatest joys of my motherhood.

That Sunday at The Feast, I realized I was already living a part of the good life. Because the good life is not just found in material possessions or recognition—it is found in the things that truly matter. For me, it is the joy of seeing my children grow in faith and in love for God, and in witnessing their desire to serve Him through music.

More than a fleeting achievement, this gives me hope for their future—that the seeds planted in their childhood will continue to bear fruit as they live out their vocation and calling in life. The good life is not only about savoring God’s blessings in the present; it is also about preparing our children to walk with Him faithfully for the rest of their lives.

And for this mother’s heart, that is more than enough.

Incidentally, that Sunday was also the 1st Anniversary celebration of The Feast Bay City. We did not only celebrate with our community for this milestone, I celebrated also with God and my family the blessing of answered prayers and living the good life with them.