Dear Parents and Guardians,
Soon your child will join your family and God's family at the Lord's Table for the first time. He/She will eat the Bread of Life and drink from the Cup of Life. Your child will learn in his/her First Eucharist preparation classes what a wonderful gift Jesus has given us in the Eucharist. You can support this learning by expressing your own appreciation of the wonder and the mystery of this glorious gift.
The best preparation for First Eucharist that you can give your child is REGULAR ATTENDANCE AT MASS. Talk to your child about the Mass before you go and at appropriate moments in the actual celebration when you are in church together. Emphasize that the Mass is God's family celebrating a meal. Start at the beginning of the Mass and explain that as we enter the church, we make the family sign, the Sign of the Cross. Ask your child if he/she knows or can guess why the cross is our family sign. Remind your child that Jesus, by His death on the cross, won the life that he/she will share in; the bread and wine of the Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Jesus; life that goes on forever, even after we die.
Remind your child that when he/she dips fingers into the holy water and makes the sign of the cross, to think of the holy waters of Baptism that make us members of God's family. Point out that just as we wash our hands before eating a family meal, blessing ourselves with holy water helps us to remember that before receiving Jesus, our spiritual food, our souls should be cleansed of sin.
Talk about the fact that at family meals people talk to one another. Then explain that during the Mass, we have a family conversation too. We talk to God, for example. In the opening greeting, the Penitential Rite, we ask God's forgiveness and the forgiveness of one another, for our sins. Stress the importance of what happens at the Penitential Rite of the Mass. We are sorry for our sins and we forgive one another.
Draw on your child's experience of meals at home to help him/her understand what is happening and request that he/she joins in. Talk about a time when a meal was spoiled because people were crabby or angry at each other and how happy a meal was when everybody was getting along. Then explain that the same thing happens in God's family and that is why we have this time in the Mass for asking and giving forgiveness. It is a special time for getting our hearts ready to eat at the Lord's Table. Because Jesus is coming to share Himself with us, we especially want to have love and peace in our hearts for one another. When you are at Mass with your child, you might call his/her attention to the Penitential Rite and encourage him/her to join in the response.
During the Gloria, we praise God together. Encourage your child to also join in these prayer responses with you, as much as possible. Remind him/her that it is good to talk and sing to God.
Ask if your child knows that special time when we hear God's Word at Mass.Then discuss the fact that God speaks to us in the words that the lector proclaims to us from the Lectionary (a book of readings taken from the Bible, which are also known as the Scriptures) for the First and Second Readings. Between the Readings, the community will sing the Responsorial Psalm and after the Readings, will sing the Alleluia. After the Alleluia, the deacon or priest will proclaim the Gospel from Book of Gospels. This part of the Mass is called the Liturgy of the Word. Invite your child to share some of God's words that he/she has learned at Mass or during class.
After the proclamations from the Lectionary and Book of Gospels, the deacon or priest will give an explanation of the Scriptures that were proclaimed, so that everyone can better understand the meaning of the Scriptures. This is called the homily. After the homily has ended, everyone will say the Profession of Faith, which are the main things that we believe as Catholic Christians. The Profession of Faith we usually say is the Nicene Creed.
Then the second part of the Mass begins. It is called the Liturgy of the Eucharist. This part of the Mass begins with the Preparation of the Altar and the Gifts. The priest prepares the altar and accepts the gifts of bread and wine from the community. At special meals you decorate your family table with flowers and candles and a nice tablecloth and dishes. Tell your child that God's family does that for this very special meal in which Jesus comes to share all of Himself with us. There is a fresh, clean altar cloth on the family table, flowers, candles, special dishes, cups and food that will become the most wonderful food that we can share; food that will make it possible for us to meet God someday, face to face.
After the Preparation of the Altar and Gifts, the priest will begin the Eucharistic Prayer, during which the community will say or sing the Holy, Holy, Holy.
At the Last Supper when Jesus broke the bread and passed it to His friends, He said, "Take this, all of you, and eat it: This is my body, which will be given up for you." Next He passed a cup of wine around the table for His friends to share. "Take this, all of you, and drink from it." He said, "This is the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant. It will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven." Then Jesus said, "Do this in memory of me." This is the part of the Mass that we call the Consecration.
Jesus did not mean that the sharing of wine and the bread would be a simple ceremony of remembering, as we remember a departed friend with a toast or tribute. He promised His very life in this sacrament. In the Eucharist, Jesus is truly and fully present to us under the appearance of bread and wine. The bread and wine truly becomes Jesus' Body and Blood during the Consecration. He shares all of Himself with us; the life He lived, the life He won by His death and resurrection, and the glorious life He has promised when He comes again.
After the Consecration, we say or sing the Memorial Acclamation. This is another important Mass prayer that you should invite your child to pray along with you. In one of the Memorial Acclamations we say, " Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again." This prayer expresses the very heart of our faith: the sacred Mystery that makes it possible for Christ to be with us in the Eucharist.
The Communion Rite begins with the community saying or singing the Lord's Prayer (the Our Father), followed by the Sign of Peace. Prepare your child for the Sign of Peace by pointing out that not only do we talk to God and listen for God to talk to us, but that there is a special time when we share greetings with the other members of God's family who have gathered with us to share the Eucharist. Explain that in exchanging a sign of peace, we show Jesus that we want to love one another as He loved His people.
We finish our preparation to receive Jesus in Communion, by saying or singing the Lamb of God and inviting Jesus to make us holy by saying, "Lord I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word, and I shall be healed." Then we have the privilege of truly receiving Jesus in the Eucharist, Jesus' Body and Blood.
Please teach your child to receive Him with reverence and to be in a state of grace. (Help your child remember to not receive the Eucharist if he/she is not in a state of grace because of unconfessed mortal sins.). Remind your child to say, "Amen," which means, "I believe," and to cup his/her hands, or stick out the tongue, to receive Jesus from the priest, the deacon or the Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist.
During the reception of Jesus in Communion, the community will share songs, which will be followed by a period of silence. Then the priest will say a prayer and begin the Concluding Rite, which includes a blessing, and then the Dismissal. In the Dismissal, the deacon or priest will invite everyone to go in peace.
Receiving Christ for the first time should have a lasting effect on the direction of your child's life, as it should have had on yours. You can help that happen for your child not only by frequently receiving the Eucharist with your child, but also just as importantly, openly expressing your appreciation of this beautiful Gift with your family. Begin with your own heartfelt gratitude for the fact that God loves us enough to be with us always in the Blessed Sacrament that nourishes our spirits and enables us to do Christ's peace. Share the fact that we take Christ with us.
Help your child to understand by your words, prayers, and example, that we are never more truly the Body of Christ than when we are His hands reaching out to others, His feet coming to another's aid, and His mouth speaking words of comfort and encouragement. Then your child will know truly how wonderful the Eucharist is, because he/she will experience Jesus' giving His Love to others, through you. You could not hope to give your child a better lesson on the Eucharist.
May your child's First Eucharist be the beginning of a lifetime of Holy Communions with you and others in God's family.
Sincerely in Christ,
Father Paul Radetski
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First Communion is considered one of the holiest and most important occasions in a Roman Catholic's life. It means that person has received the Sacrament of the Eucharist, the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Most Catholic children receive their First Communion when they're seven or eight years of age because this is considered the age of reason. Others can receive communion for the first time whenever they've met all the Church's requirements.
A child, or any person, who is not baptized cannot receive communion. If the child is baptized, she generally begins studying for First Communion in first grade. Those children who don't attend Catholic school go to religious instruction classes after school or on weekends. In most cases for young children, at least two years of religious education must be undertaken before they can receive communion for the first time.
There's more to a child's first communion than a pretty white dress and a family party. While it is a cause for celebration, that's not what the occasion is about. The event means that the children have studied and understood, to the best of their abilities, the mystery of transubstantiation, the changing of the substance of ordinary bread and wine into the substance of Christ's body and blood. A child should also be able to tell the difference between Eucharistic bread and regular food.
On the day of one's First Communion, and whenever receiving communion thereafter, those partaking must, out of respect for the body and blood of Christ, observe another rule: At least one hour before reception of the sacrament, they must fast, which means they may not eat any food. Taking water and medicine, however, are exceptions. After First Communion, young Catholics must attend church every Sunday, and they are encouraged to receive communion frequently, even weekly. If one has missed Sunday Mass without good reason or has committed a mortal sin, that person is expected to go to confession before receiving communion again.
First Communion is a very important and holy day for Catholic children because they are receiving, for the first time, the body and blood of Jesus Christ. By continuing to receive Holy Communion for the rest of their lives, Catholics become one with Christ and believe they will share in His eternal life.
Do stress Communion as a beginning. First Communion is a decisive act but it is not a culmination. Everything in the preparation should convince the child that it is the beginning or a life-long series of privileged moments and growth.
Don't give the idea that Communion is a reward. Jesus comes to us because he loves us and we need Him. The Eucharist is "the" sign of our unity and our love for one another. We are given this gift even though we are weak and often experience failure.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Father, I am sorry, for all my sins. I am sorry for the wrong things I have done. I am sorry for the good things I have failed to do. I will try to do better. Jelp me to love others. Amen.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts which we are about to receive from Thy bounty; through Christ Our Lord. Amen
We give you thanks almighty God, for all the benefits, we have received, through Christ our Lord. Amen
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee. I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell; but most of all because I have offended Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen
Angel of God, my Guardian dear. To whom God's love, commits me here. Ever this day, be at my side, To light, to guard, To rule, and guide. Amen.
Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord, my soul to keep. Guard me safely through this night. Wake me with the morning light. God bless……(Mom, Dad, John, Sarah,etc…..) Amen.
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love. Send forth Thy spirit and they shall be created and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray. O God, Who didst teach the heart of Thy faithful people by sending them the light of Thy Holy Spirit, grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in His holy comfort through Christ our Lord. Amen
The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. ...Hail Mary… Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done unto me according to Thy word. ...Hail Mary… AND THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH. And dwelt among us. ...Hail Mary… Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God,that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us Pray: Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we to whom the incarnation of Thy Son was made known by the message of the angel made by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His resurrection; through the same Christ our Lord. Amen
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.
"…Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me" (Matthew 25:31-46).
from Matthew 5:3-11; and Luke 6:20-26
Day
Date
Time
Purpose
Place
WED
1-20-10
6:00
PARENT MEETING
(CFFC) CAFETERIA
1-27-10
PRAYER BUDDY NIGHT
(CFFC) CLASSROOM
SAT
3-13-10
9:00-12:00
1st COMMUNION RETREAT PARENT/CANDIDATE
THUR
4-22-10
REHEARSAL
ST. MARY'S
SUN
4-25-10
1:30
1ST COMMUNION MASS
TUES
5-04-10
PRAYER BUDDY PARTY
Richard Meyer has again agreed to be the photographer at the 1st Communion Masses. He will be taking pictures of the children receiving their 1st Communion with their parents, and receiving their certificates, as well as any of the special functions such as bringing up the gifts, petitions, etc. He will be taking a group picture immediately after Mass.
**Please note that option #7 offered is an individual picture of the candidate posed at the altar. If you choose this option you must let us know. These pictures will be taken after the group picture.
Please turn in your order along with your payment as soon as possible, or bring them along to the practice.
You can order any option or combination of options that you want:
Reminder: If you choose #7 option you must stay after Mass to have the photo taken. Please let Mr. Meyer know you have ordered this.
First Communion Order Form
PARENT/GUARDIAN NAME______________________________________________
CHILD/CHILDRENS' NAMES_____________________________________________
1) 8X10 OF CHILD _______________X $12 =__________________
2) 8X10 OF GROUP ______________X $12=__________________
3) 3-4 PICTURE BOARD ______________X $16 =___________________
4) PACKAGE #4 ______________X $25 =___________________
5) PACKAGE #5 ______________X $33 =___________________
6) PICTURES UN-MOUNTED ______________X $14 =__________________
7) 5X7 PHOTO OF YOUR CHILD (POSED) _______________X $6 =___________________
TOTAL DUE: ___________________
Payment is due at the time of the order. Make checks payable to St. John's
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