First Communion Handbook

Family Information Booklet

First Reconciliation And

First Communion Handbook

St. Mark Parish 535 East Edgewood Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46227

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FIRST RECONCILIATION FIRST EUCHARIST HANDBOOK IMPORTANT DATES

2008 Monday, September 29

Introductory Workshop 7:00 p.m. - church

Tuesday, October 14

Family Reconciliation Workshop 7:00 p.m. - church

Tuesday, November 18

Family Reconciliation Workshop 7:00 p.m. - Schafer hall

Saturday, December 6

Sacrament of Reconciliation 10:30 a.m. - church

2009 Monday, January 12

Family Eucharistic Workshop 7:00 p.m. – church

Tuesday, February 17

Family Eucharistic Workshop 7:00 p.m. – church

Saturday, March 21

Family Eucharistic Workshop 9 - 11:30 a.m. - Schafer hall

Sunday, April 19

BANNERS DUE

Tuesday, April 21

Practice for First Eucharist 7:00 p.m. - church

Sunday, April 26

FIRST COMMUNION DAY 11:45 Mass

First Reconciliation / First Eucharist Handbook 2008-09

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THE MISSION The purpose or “mission” of this familycentered program is to prepare our second grade children to receive the Sacraments of First Holy Communion and Reconciliation, for their life of love and service for God, and their neighbor, with the Eucharist at its center. Since you, as parents, are called to be the primary religious educators of your child, this program is designed to assist you with instilling the values and the meaning of Holy Communion and Reconciliation. Your child’s First Reconciliation and First Eucharist texts are “We Believe and Celebrating First Penance” and “We Believe and Celebrate First Communion”, published by Sadlier. If at any time you are working with your child and have any questions, or would like to have any further resources to use in their preparation, please do not hesitate to call Mary Lynn or Joshua Schaffner, our ECHO apprentice, at 787-8246. The program will progress with you and your child having the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation on December 6 at 10:30 a.m. The program will conclude with you and your child’s Celebration of their First Holy Communion on Sunday, April 26, 2009 at 11:45 a.m.

THE ROLE OF THE PARENTS You, as parents, are the most meaningful adult Christians in the life of your child. You show your love for your child and give witness to your faith when you share your convictions about life and living. In particular, your personal responses to God’s love are showing your child that Eucharist and Reconciliation are part of their daily lives - not something that happens only as part of a special celebration day, or something just like anything else, but its very center. Not only is the Church emphasizing your role as parents in your child’s religious education, but, it is at the same time emphasizing the responsibility of our whole parish to help you fulfill your role. To assist you in this responsibility, we will provide you with additional information, guidance, and the confidence you need through our parent gatherings and liturgical celebrations. The Home Lesson Plans will give you some theology on the sacrament of First Communion and Reconciliation, and also provide you with helpful hints on understanding and discussing the faith concepts that your child will be taught concerning these Sacraments.

First Reconciliation / First Eucharist Handbook 2008-09

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LITURGICAL WORKSHOPS Our workshops will combine the concepts being presented to your children both in the classroom and the parent sessions and the concepts being presented them in regard to both the Sacrament of the Eucharist and Reconciliation. The great advantage of these workshop experiences is the benefit to your child of the witness and the faith of adults with whom they closely identify. The presence and participation of you, as parents, and other family members, is very important. All workshops will include participation between parent and child. Our workshops will be a more interactive approach between you and your child to actually prepare for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. The time at each of these workshops will enable you and your child to work through a series of activities that will assist your family in understanding the concepts and symbols involved with each sacrament. These dates are: Monday, September 29, 2008 Tuesday, October 14, 2008 Tuesday, November 18, 2008 Monday, January 12, 2009 Tuesday, February 17, 2009 Saturday, March 21, 2009

- Introduction Workshop at 7:00 p.m. - Reconciliation Workshop at 7:00 p.m. - Reconciliation Workshop at 7:00 p.m. - Family Eucharistic Workshop at 7:00 p.m. - Family Eucharistic Workshop at 7:00 p.m. - Family Eucharist Workshop from 9 -11:30 a.m.

FAMILY BANNER Throughout your child’s preparation for the sacrament of First Eucharist, it is the goal to provide experiences of “unity” and “belonging.” One of the themes running throughout these experiences is “family”, our own families and God’s family. I am asking that each family construct a banner to be displayed on First Communion day. Your family name should appear on the front, along with other ideas (symbols, words, pictures, sayings, etc.) that are meaningful to your family and to the Eucharist. We will supply the background, a piece of white felt at the March 21st Family Eucharistic Workshop. You may use any other material to decorate the front as you see fit. Please have banners in to the parish center by April 20.

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HOME SESSIONS Each chapter in your child’s textbooks introduces a theme that teaches a particular element of the Sacrament of First Holy Communion or First Reconciliation. We will be asking you to assist in helping your child reflect upon and share with the activities provided in the text. This “sharing” raises your child’s awareness and appreciation of the relationship between Eucharistic celebration and the rest of their lives. In the “domestic church” of your own home, you will continue the work began at your child’s Baptism – the initiation of your child into the life of Christ through the sacraments of the Catholic Church. The Church, through the bishops of the United States, has affirmed your role as primary religious educator of your child. “Parents also have the right and duty to be involved in preparing their children for First Communion. The catechesis offered should help parents grow in their own understanding and appreciation of the Eucharist and enable them to catechize their children more effectively.” The time you spend together will help your child to feel comfortable and joyful about the Sacrament s/he is about to receive.

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LIST OF PRAYERS IN SECOND GRADE CIRRICULUM The children participating in the First Communion/First Reconciliation program should have knowledge and understanding of these prayers: * Sign of the Cross Act of Contrition Our Father Glory Be Hail Mary *These prayers can be found in the back of your child’s textbook.

An Act of Spiritual Communion My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.

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WHAT TO WEAR FOR FIRST COMMUNION GIRLS are to wear dresses. Color is up to the family. Veils, flowers in hair, etc., are decisions of parents and child. BOYS are to be in shirt and tie. Suit coat is optional. Shirt sleeves may be long or short; pants and shirt may be the color of your choosing.

PROGRAM FEE The total fee for this Sacrament program is $25.00. If a family has two children in the program the fee is $30.00. This fee covers the cost of student textbook, outline packet and other materials needed for the program. The fee should be paid by November 18, 2008. If there is any problem with paying this fee, please call Mary Lynn at 787-8246.

BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATES We are required by the Church to obtain Baptismal information (such as, when and where your child was baptized) before a child is allowed to receive the Eucharist for the first time. This baptismal information can only be found on your child’s BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE. We may have a certificate on file in the school or religious education program records. If there is no record on file, we ask that a copy be handed into the Office of Faith Formation before December 1, 2008. In order to be sure that each child’s records are correct, please complete the form below and return it to the Office of Faith Formation. **************************************************************************************************************** FIRST COMMUNION REGISTER Baptismal & Family Name Place & Date of Birth

Age

Place & Date of Baptism Address

Father’s Name Mother’s Maiden Name NOTE: A baptismal certificate must be submitted by December 1, 2008 except those baptized at St. Mark. First Reconciliation / First Eucharist Handbook 2008-09

7 FIRST RECONCILIATION - EUCHARIST 2007 - 2008

WEEK OF: Sept. 18 30 Oct. 7 10 14 21

RECONCILIATION EUCHARIST INTRODUCTORY PARENT MEETING Chapter 1 Chapter 2 RECONCILIATION PRAYER SERVICE Chapter 3 Chapter 4

Nov.

4 11 18 29

Saints Chapter 5 Chapter 6 FAMILY RECONCILIATION WORKSHOP

Dec

2 9 12

Advent/Mary Prepare for First Confession FIRST RECONCILIATION

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

Apr.

6 9 13 20 27/28 3 10 11 17 24

Christmas / Epiphany EUCHARIST FAMILY PRAYER SERVICE Chapter 1 Chapter 2 FAMILY BLESSING AT ALL MASSES Chapter 3 Lent Chapter 4 FAMILY LITURGY NO CLASS Review

1 2 9 18 23 30

FAMILY EUCHARIST WORKSHOP Chapter 5 Lent & Reconciliation Chapter 6 Easter Spring Break

6 13 20 22 27

Risen Christ Rosary Review for Eucharist First Communion Practice - 7:00 p.m. FIRST COMMUNION DAY – 11:45 a.m.

First Reconciliation / First Eucharist Handbook 2008-09

HOME LESSON PLANS #1R #2R #3R

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