I wanted to give you information regarding the children’s sacraments.
Please continue to bring them each week to school and most importantly to church for hands on faith training.
I have included very important information below that I’d like you to be aware of and to please schedule these required meetings.
Thechildren really start focusing on the sacraments in the second half of the year. The books for first reconciliation and first communion are distributed during the following dates and you may choose to attend either one of each sacrament:
First Reconciliation Meetings for 2nd Grade Parents
These two meetings will be held Sunday mornings in the auditorium while your child is in class. Only one parent need attend. Sacramental material will be distributed during the meetings.
These are a combination of spiritual reflection, ceremony, and informational Q&A; your child will be in attendance as well. Not to be missed!
Both Sessions:
November 20, 2011
either at 8:30 am mass
or 10:00 am mass
Make-up Session:
TBA
7:15 pm to
8:15 pm
Both Sessions:
January 22, 2012
either at 8:30 am mass
or 10:00 am mass
Both Sessions:
February 12, 2012
either at 8:30 am mass
or 10:00 am mass
Make-up Session:
February 26, 2012
either at 9:25 am
or 10:55 am
First Communion Meetings for 2nd Grade Parents
This one meeting will be held Sunday morning in the auditorium while your child is in class. Only one parent need attend. Sacramental material will be distributed during the meeting. Special Note: Children will have a special class in the auditorium that day! This are a combination of spiritual reflection, ceremony, and informational Q&A; your child will be in attendance as well. Not to be missed!
The ONLY practice date will be Wednesday, May 16th at 6:30 pm sharp.
Here are a few points to know if I haven’t relayed them to you before :
1. Hopefully by now, you have all the material you'll need to home school your child with the catholic catechism. If you are lacking anything, please do not hesitate to remind me to give this to you.
2. Try to follow the class schedule you have been provided as closely as you can. Once you have completed the book, write or call me to make an appointment to review the work and to discuss any questions, issues or concerns, as well as progress.
3. Further parenting help can be at this and other websites, found at the bottom of this link:
5. We also have many children bibles, storybooks and videos for the children to watch. Stop by our library (in the religious education office) if you would like to supplement the material you are using.
May God Bless You, Mrs. Pat Schauble Pastoral Associate Director of Religious Education
For the list of children receiving the Sacrament during the Spring of 2012, please click this link.
To place an order for available First Communion sets, please click here.
Regarding Clothes
Q Can my child wear a boutonniere or corsage?
A Yes
~ For boys; on the lapel or as an armband. ~ For girls; on her wrist or on the dress.
Q Can my daughter wear white gloves?
A Yes and No
~ Yes as she processes into the church, during mass and when she will be part of the group photo. ~ No when she goes up to receive the sacrament.
Day of Sacrament
Q How long should we fast before receiving the Sacred Host or Precious Blood?
A At least one hour before mass (according to Canon Law).
Q What time should we arrive?
A One ½ hour before mass will start.
Q Where do we assemble for the procession?
A Children will meet in the Chapel (make a right as soon as you enter the church building, and then enter the door on the left).
Q Why do we meet in the Chapel before mass?
A For the Attendance, Communion Certificate, a small gift and for any last minute instructions.
Q How many guests are we allowed in church?
During the Mass, as many as the church can hold!
Q What do you say/do when the priest says “A reading from the holy Gospel according to …?
A Say “Glory to You, Lord” and make 3 small signs of the cross (one over your forehead, one over your mouth & one over your heart) - This means “May the word of God be in my mind, in my words & in my heart”.
How to Receive Communion
Q What choices are there?
A Child can go up to the priest by themselves or parents can accompany the child.
A Communion Host in the mouth
~ Child walks up; hands in prayer mode. ~ Child bows before the altar before reaching the priest. ~ When priest says “The Body of Christ”; child responds “Amen”. ~ Child opens mouth and sticks out their tongue. ~ As soon as host is in mouth, close mouth & slowly eat it. ~ Child does the sign of the cross.
A Communion Host in the hand
~ Child walks up; hands in prayer mode. ~ Child bows before the altar before reaching the priest. ~ When priest says “The Body of Christ”; child responds “Amen”. ~ Child then places right hand under left to receive host (do the opposite for left-handed children). ~ Child picks up host with right hand (left for lefties). ~ Child places host on tongue. ~ As soon as host is in mouth, close mouth & slowly eat it. ~ Child does the sign of the cross.
A Sacramental Wine (Blood of Christ)
~ Child walks up; hands in prayer mode. ~ When priest (or Eucharistic Minister (EM)) says “The Blood of Christ”; child responds “Amen”. ~ The EM tilts the chalice to the child (but will not release). ~ The child takes a tiny sip of the sacramental wine. ~ Child does the sign of the cross.
Q After Receiving the Sacrament(s), then what?
A Child walks towards the side of the church, and then heads back up to their pew.
A Child kneels down to say their prayers of thanks to God, for the grace of receiving this sacrament, for their family, for the strength to always be good & to be an example of a good Christian.
At the End of Mass
Q When do we take the group photo?
A After the priest gives the final blessing, but before the procession out of church.
A The priest calls the children to the altar.
A When the photographer organizes the children on the altar.
Q How do we exit the church?
A The children walk out after the altar servers and proceed to the chapel where the parents pick them up.
A The children are welcome to return back to the church if pictures are to be taken at the altar or other locations within the church.
Thoughts on Receiving Communion
Catholics use the phrase "receiving Communion" -- a more passive terminology that emphasizes humility; this reminds us it is by grace that we are saved.
A child's "First Communion" is a rite of passage, an acknowledgement that he has reached the age of reason. The moment of receiving should be memorable and very beautiful, but above all, be holy.
The special feeling your child will experience will grow, especially when the child receives the Precious Body & Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ each week as they attend mass with their family; they can even receive every day if that is their wish!
