First Holy Communion

Dear Parents:

Welcome to a very special time in the life of your family. You have a child who is preparing to receive the Sacrament of Eucharist. This is an important step in the faith journey of your child. S/He needs your help in preparing for this event. Your child is counting on you to help them in many ways including:

Making time and space for them to focus on the Sacrament
Developing healthy pray habits.
Demonstrating regular Mass attendance and stewardship
Giving them ample opportunity to observe you good example at regular Mass attendance
Review the banner symbols to understand more deeply the elements of liturgy and faith

Please read on for more suggestions on helping your child grow in faith; the promise you made at your child’s baptism. May God bless you in this time of growth and joy.

PRAYERS

Our Eucharistic celebration is filled with prayer. By this time in your child’s faith journey they should know several of our Catholic prayers including the Lord’s Prayer, Hail Mary, Glory Be, and the Apostle’s Creed. This is a good time to review the prayers of the Mass to be sure your child is understanding the words we pray. Some suggestions to help you ensure your child comprehension are:

Say the Rosary as a family at home once a week

Look through a Missal and study a new prayer each week

As a family, review a prayer, line by line, discussing each concept.

Developing a steady prayer life will help your child live a healthy spiritual life.

MASS BOOKS

We are all called to full, conscious, and active participation in the liturgy. Each child will be given a Mass book. The book outlines the order of the Mass. Please take the time to read through the book with your child. They are invited to bring it to Mass with them to follow along in it while they learn the postures and prayers of the Mass. Please assist your child in following along and demonstrating appropriate Mass behavior. “Liturgy” means “work of the people.” At home, life is more pleasant if everyone pitches in and helps out. It’s the same at Church, so let’s all sing, pray, and participate!

APPROPRIATE ATTIRE

Attire for any celebration should be clean and neat. In the past, boys have chosen to wear blue suits. Girls have chosen to wear white dresses. Pictures of previous celebrations are available for reference in the Parish Office. Please note the following guidelines:

Hats should be removed when in the Church. Girls may wear veils.

NO GLOVES are to be worn during Mass. It is inappropriate to receive Eucharist with gloves on your hands. Gloves may be worn for photos and the reception.

Your child’s attire should be appropriate for the occasion and convey a sense of modesty and reverence. Everything you do teaches your child something. Please help them understand that this is a special day because of the Sacrament they are receiving

MUSIC

In the Hebrew tradition, singing was a more appropriate way to pray to God. They believed that we should not speak to God in the same tone we use to communicate to everyone else. Thus, when they prayed, they sang. This belief still lives in our Church today. Parts of the Mass, such as the Responsorial Psalm, were written to be sung. To help your family prepare to sing at our Solemn Celebration, children will review the songs in their classes with their teacher. We will all practice our music at the Dressy Retreat. Parents, be sure you come ready to sing since you will have to carry the tune while children concentrate on the tasks at hand. Being familiar with the music will make our celebration a richer experience for everyone.

TEXT BOOKS

Your child will receive a textbook in their classroom. A Family Handouts will be sent home each week. Please complete the sheets together as they are designed to be a joint activity.

RETREATS
Retreats are community experiences for the student and their family. Retreats are an essential and required part of the preparation process. All registered students are to be accompanied by at least one of their parents at each retreat. Godparents are welcome to attend.

MESSY RETREAT: Sunday, FEBRUARY 28, 2010 1:30-3:30PM Together, we will walk through the Mass, discovering what the symbols and gestures reveal about our life with God.

DRESSY RETREAT: SUNDAY, March 28, 2010 1:30-3:30PM Families will share the work they have been doing to prepare their hearts and lives for Christ to come to them in Holy Communion.

DRESS REHEARSAL: THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2010 6:30 PM IN THE CHURCH Come in your best dress because this is the dress rehearsal. A professional photographer will be available to take portriats of your child and family. More information will be available at the retreats.

CELEBRATION OF FIRST HOLY COMMUNION will be during one of the reguarly scheduled weekend Masses on April 10 & 11, 2010.

FAMILY CELEBRATION

Celebrate the sacrament with your family at the Mass you regularly attend. Share the joy with the whole community. Arrange a time and date with Angela Cropley, DRE, in the Parish Office.