Receives First Communion

RECEIVING THE SACRAMENTS  Lily LaRue Peregrine Anderson receives the Sacrament of Confirmation in her home March 17. She also received her First Holy Communion that day. Both sacraments were administered by Father ST Sutton, administrator of Our Lady of the Valley and Holy Cross parishes, both in Wayne. The six-year-old was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor last May.

Six-year-old Wayne parishioner with inoperable brain tumor receives First Communion and Confirmation

DENVILLE  For the Anderson family, parishioners of Our Lady of the Valley (OLV) Parish here, St. Peregrine is an important part of their prayer life since he is the patron saint for healing those afflicted by cancer.

So it was easy for the family to chose the name Peregrine as the Confirmation name for their ailing 6-year-old daughter, Lily LaRue, who was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor known as Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) last May.

Because this rare type of childhood cancer is very aggressive, Bishop Serratelli presented the idea and gave permission for Lily to receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion. Father ST Sutton, administrator of OLV and Holy Cross Parish here, celebrated Mass and administered the two life-giving sacraments to Lily in her home, surrounded by her family on St. Patrick’s Day.

“It was truly an honor and privilege to have welcomed Lily LaRue Peregrine into the fullness of the Catholic Church the morning of St. Patrick’s Day, which also happens to be the 15th wedding anniversary of her parents, Barbara and Brian,” said Father Sutton.

It has been a difficult time for the Anderson family since Lily’s diagnosis. The family also consists of Lily’s twin brother, Brady, and an older sister, Jasmine.

“A couple of weeks ago I went to visit the family to anoint Lily, who had lost the ability to move her neck. I prayed and sat with her mother. She told me about the family’s struggles,” said Father Sutton.

Recently, a St. Patrick’s dinner-dance was held March 14 hosted by OLV Knights of Columbus Council 6354 with parishioners from OLV and Holy Cross supporting the cause. Jim DeLuccia, grand knight of the council, who was also present at Lily’s reception of her sacraments, said, “As of now there’s no cure for Lily’s cancer so it’s important that we’ve come together for this family facing a difficult time. The parishioners have been so generous to the family.”

Because cancer is so rare, Lily has been receiving treatment at specialized children’s hospitals in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. With Lily’s cancer, it is impossible to remove the tumor where it is located in her brain and the cause is unknown.

Right now, the family is letting Lily enjoy life as she fulfills wishes she made on her wish list. The family describes her as smart, funny and a lover of life. She won her first poetry essay at 5 and she’s an animal lover. She loves taking photos, making videos, dancing and doing silly impressions.

She recently enjoyed one of those wishes on the day of her First Communion and Confirmation — a ride in a helicopter thanks to N.J. State Troopers, who took her around her school. She also got “slimed” with her dad courtesy of children’s television channel, Nickelodeon and starred in a fashion show.

There’s a huge outpouring of support for Lily, which includes a pink tour bus in her honor by Panorama Bus Tours. There’s also a hashtag on social media dedicated to her #TeamLilyLaRue.

“The true Christian spirit has come out so wonderfully for Lily. The family is really truly honored and humbled by the care of so many,” said Father Sutton.

As Lily continues to fight so bravely, she is currently receiving physical therapy at home. While she is tired and weak at times, the activities and fulfilling her wishes keep her spirits high and a smile on her face.

Father Sutton said, “We continue to pray for Lily, her parents, siblings and grandparents as we pray that the Lord of all healing will touch her sacred soul and bring her to full healing.”