Important information for the year
of
FIRST
RECONCILIATION and FIRST COMMUNION
Contact: Janice Maniscalco
Email: religed@bellsouth.net
Office phone: 463-1579
Home phone: 286-4312
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. Introductory Parent Meeting during your child’s
class time on October 4, 5 & 6, 2010
2. Parent meeting for First Reconciliation will
be held during the class time on January 10, 11 & 12,
2011.
3. First Reconciliation will be celebrated on Saturday,
February 5, 2011 beginning at 9:30 a.m.
4. Parent meeting for First Communion will be held
during the class time on March 21, 22 & 23,
2011.
5. Holy Thursday, April 21, 2011 at the 7:00 pm Mass.
Children preparing for First Communion have a special
role in this liturgy.
6. Rehearsal for First Communion will be held from
5:00 to 6:30 on the Thursday prior to the date of
receiving: May 5th rehearsal for the May 7th First
Communion and May 12th rehearsal for the May 14th
First Communion. There will be rehearsal only and
no class for First Communicants these weeks.
7. First Communion will be celebrated on Saturday,
May 7, 2011 and on Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 9:30
a.m. Families will choose the date that best suits
their needs.
8. Last days of class are May 16, 17 & 18 for
all children.
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 5, 2011 at 9:30 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 7, 2011 and Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 9:30
am. You will sign up for the day of your choice
at the Parent Meeting in January.
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.
~~~
For questions or further information, please contact:
Janice Maniscalco
Religious Education Director
772-463-1579
e-mail: religed@bellsouth.net
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