2022-23
First REconciliation Family Retreat
First Reconciliation
First Communion Family Retreat
First Communion Sunday, May 7th - 9 am May Crowning Mass
Dear Families of First Communicants,
The weeks and months for Sacrament reception are busy ones both in school and at home, full of preparation and anticipation for this very special day. It would be easy for children to get caught up in the material side of the sacrament preparations – arranging parties and choosing outfits, but one of the best things that we can do for the children during this time is to keep them focused on the real goal: receiving Jesus into their hearts for the first time.
Following are some practical ways to achieve this:
Our dedicated catechists continue to prepare your children for this very special day with a goal of providing the best possible sacramental experience, but program alone cannot prepare our young people to be faithful Catholics. How you prepare at home is even more important! The strength of their faith will depend on your example and the strength of your faith. We are here, as program, to assist you in your faith journey, but students should, minimally possess the following:
If you yourself need a refresher there is always supplemental material at the back of textbooks for family reference. The Church recognizes parents as the first and most important teachers of their children because they are! If at any time you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. We are here to serve you in any way we can.
May God’s blessing be on all of us as we guide our children to His most Holy Son.
Dress code for First Communion
Boys: dark suit, white dress shirt & tie (dark or white), dress shoes (no sneakers).
Girls: white dresses, veils or flower rings, white dress shoes & white socks or tights
The children do not carry or wear: arm bands, flowers, gloves, bibles, rosaries etc. Please keep all such articles with you so that they are not lost. There will be plenty of time for items to be blessed after the mass.
Clothing assistance is available - Please let us know if you need assistance.
Altar Servers and guest clergy:
Please let us know as soon as possible if there is a family altar server who would like to serve this special mass. Any family members who are priests or deacons and would like to assist at mass must contact Father directly – at least three days prior to the mass.
Photography
Information on available photography will be provided. We will secure a photographer to take pictures of each individual child as they receive Eucharist. In order to protect the sanctity of the Sacrament and not distract the children from the real reason for the day, flash pictures should not be taken and everyone should remain in their seats at all times. After the mass, you may take as many pictures in and around the church as you wish!
First REconciliation Family Retreat
First Reconciliation
First Communion Family Retreat
First Communion Sunday, May 7th - 9 am May Crowning Mass
Dear Families of First Communicants,
The weeks and months for Sacrament reception are busy ones both in school and at home, full of preparation and anticipation for this very special day. It would be easy for children to get caught up in the material side of the sacrament preparations – arranging parties and choosing outfits, but one of the best things that we can do for the children during this time is to keep them focused on the real goal: receiving Jesus into their hearts for the first time.
Following are some practical ways to achieve this:
- Remember that the child does not travel alone toward reception - we all travel with them!
- Attend mass regularly with your child, encouraging their participation
- Answer any questions your child may have about what they see or hear at mass.
- Pray together as a family: meal and bedtime are perfect opportunities! Remind your children of the very special meal soon to come.
- Pace and alternate your family’s activities as much as possible to avoid too much emphasis on the materialistic.
- Include other family members in the preparation, as often as possible. (All are included and no one feels left out.) Allowing older siblings to relate their experience with First Eucharist reinforces their understanding and is a good learning tool for younger ones who will follow. Family photos are great too – they show the continuity of faith in the family!
- It is vital that children be present in class and other special sessions for preparation. Watch for all event dates and information to be distributed so that families may schedule their time appropriately.
Our dedicated catechists continue to prepare your children for this very special day with a goal of providing the best possible sacramental experience, but program alone cannot prepare our young people to be faithful Catholics. How you prepare at home is even more important! The strength of their faith will depend on your example and the strength of your faith. We are here, as program, to assist you in your faith journey, but students should, minimally possess the following:
- Basic prayer knowledge
- Know how to go to Confession
- Understanding of the 10 Commandments as God’s laws for living our lives
- Understanding of sin as wrong done deliberately (sin cannot be committed by “mistake”)
- Reverence and attention for the Mass acquired by regular attendance at Mass
If you yourself need a refresher there is always supplemental material at the back of textbooks for family reference. The Church recognizes parents as the first and most important teachers of their children because they are! If at any time you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. We are here to serve you in any way we can.
May God’s blessing be on all of us as we guide our children to His most Holy Son.
Dress code for First Communion
Boys: dark suit, white dress shirt & tie (dark or white), dress shoes (no sneakers).
Girls: white dresses, veils or flower rings, white dress shoes & white socks or tights
The children do not carry or wear: arm bands, flowers, gloves, bibles, rosaries etc. Please keep all such articles with you so that they are not lost. There will be plenty of time for items to be blessed after the mass.
Clothing assistance is available - Please let us know if you need assistance.
Altar Servers and guest clergy:
Please let us know as soon as possible if there is a family altar server who would like to serve this special mass. Any family members who are priests or deacons and would like to assist at mass must contact Father directly – at least three days prior to the mass.
Photography
Information on available photography will be provided. We will secure a photographer to take pictures of each individual child as they receive Eucharist. In order to protect the sanctity of the Sacrament and not distract the children from the real reason for the day, flash pictures should not be taken and everyone should remain in their seats at all times. After the mass, you may take as many pictures in and around the church as you wish!