Important information for the year of

FIRST RECONCILIATION

and

FIRST COMMUNION

Requirements

1. Class attendance: no more than 3 absences for the entire religious education year. In order for your child to have full understanding of the two sacraments received this year, all of our class times are directed to this goal. Strive to have your child at every class.
2. Weekly Mass: attendance is required for children preparing to receive the Eucharist. In receiving First Communion, your child should first have a basic understanding of the Mass and experience it as a family celebration. This can only be achieved through weekly Mass attendance with the family. It’s a wonderful opportunity to grow in faith as a family.
3. Parent meetings: at least one parent must attend the preparation meetings.

Dates

1. Parent meeting for First Reconciliation will be held during the class time on January 14, 15 & 16, 2008.
2. First Reconciliation will be celebrated on Saturday, February 2, 2008 beginning at 9:00 a.m.
3. Holy Thursday, March 20, 2008 at the 7:00 pm Mass. Children preparing for First Communion have a special role in this liturgy.
4. Parent meeting for First Communion will be held during the class time on April 7, 8 & 9, 2008.
5. Rehearsal for First Communion will be held from 5:00 to 6:30 on the Thursday prior to the date of receiving: May 1 st rehearsal for the May 3 rd First Communion and May 8 th rehearsal for the May 10 th First Communion.
6. First Communion will be celebrated on Saturday, May 3, 2008 and on Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. Families will choose the date that best suits their needs.
7. Last days of class are May 12, 13 & 14, regardless of which day your child receives First Communion.

Important Details

We specifically include the Communicants in parish liturgies, to help your child realize his/her special place in the parish community. These are:

• Presenting the gifts of bread and wine at a specified Mass with their families. Please stop in the RE Office during your child’s class time to select a date and Mass time. We'll phone you a few days in advance to remind you of the date and what you will need to do. At the beginning of Mass, it will be announced, "In preparing to receive First Holy Communion, (child's name) and his family will present the gifts of bread and wine at today's liturgy."
• Holy Thursday celebrates the institution of the Eucharist at the Mass of the Lord's Supper. This Liturgy has special significance to your families, and the Communicants will have a special role in it. Your families will have reserved seating in the front section of the church. The children will present one song to the congregation. Their most significant participation will be in the procession of the Eucharist from the tabernacle to the Altar of Repose at the end of the Liturgy. Participating in this beautiful and solemn tradition will help your child and family truly feel a part of the Eucharist, the Body of Christ.

FIRST RECONCILIATION NOTES

"Reconciliation" is the currently used term for the Sacrament of Penance or Confession. The reason for this newer term is that it more accurately describes the nature of the sacrament. In the sacrament, we do confess our sins and we do receive a penance, both as parts of the sacrament. The point and purpose of the sacrament are to be reconciled and reunited with God and one another.

1. First Reconciliation will be celebrated on Saturday, February 2, 2008 at 9:00 am . Families are invited to attend the Penitential Prayer Service, during which some of the children will do a reading or offer a petition. Children will go to individual confessions at the conclusion of the service. Families are invited to avail themselves of the sacrament also, but should wait until all of the children have done so.

2. Children must know the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, and the Act of Contrition from memory. Plan a prayer time each day, perhaps at bedtime, to assist your child in learning these prayers. Please let your child’s teacher know when he or she knows each prayer by memory, so that we may test them.

3. No special clothing is required; wear what you'd normally wear to church on Sunday.

PRAYERS TO BE LEARNED BY MEMORY BEFORE FIRST RECONCILIATION:

OUR FATHER (LORD'S PRAYER)

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. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

HAIL MARY

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

GLORY BE (TRINITY PRAYER)

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.

ACT OF CONTRITION

My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong, and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy. Amen.

FIRST COMMUNION NOTES

1. First Communion will be received on Saturday, May 3, 2008 and Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 9:30 am . You will sign up for the day of your choice.

2. Clothing for girls: white dress, short or long; white veil; gloves may be worn, but must be removed before receiving Communion.

Clothing for boys: white dress shirt, short or long sleeved, and tie; dark dress pants; jackets are optional; white First Communion suit is an option.

3. Each family is asked to make a banner with the child's name on it. Banners should be approximately 9"x12", and may be made of cloth, felt, poster board, etc. The child's name should be prominent on the banner, and other religious symbols may be included (cross, chalice & host, wheat & grapes, etc.). You may use fabric paint, cross-stitch, appliqué, cut & paste, etc. The banner may be made for the child, by the child, or as a family project. It will be a wonderful keepsake of this special occasion!

4. A photograph will be taken of each Communicant while receiving Communion. No other photography will be allowed during the Mass. The photographer will be here before Mass for individual portraits, and for a group photo after Mass.

5. A professional video will be made of the First Communion Masses, for families to order and purchase. Details will be given at a later date. No personal videos will be allowed during Mass.

6. Older brothers & sisters will be asked to assist at the Mass.

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For questions or further information, please contact:

Janice Maniscalco
Religious Education Director
772-463-1579
e-mail: religed@bellsouth.net