Church of the Resurrection

2017-2018

First Eucharist Handbook

For Families

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First Eucharist Handbook for Families

2017-18 Contents

Letter to Parents...................................................................................5

The Meaning of Holy Communion…………………………………………….……….…7

How Do I Help Prepare My Child …………………………………………………………8

Outline of the First Communion Program……………………………………………11

Reconciliation……………………………………………………………………………………18

Important First Communion Dates…………………………………………………….20

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Dear Parents,

Welcome to First Eucharist! This year is an exciting time in second grade because your child will be preparing to receive their first Holy Eucharist. This is such a profound and important step in your child’s faith journey.

First, the religious education office encourages you to be involved! Though each student has a “teacher” or “catechist,” the true catechesis, or “faith sharing” takes place in your home. There are so many opportunities and ways for you to be a part of your child’s faith development this year.

Talk to your child about what is going on in the classroom and communicate with your child’s teacher so you know what is going on in the classroom.

Pray with and for your child, and your family – this is a special year for everyone in the family. Consider lighting a special candle at certain points during the year to pray for your child.

Share memories of your First Holy Communion and treat it like the big deal that it is!

And finally, and most importantly, attend Mass regularly with your child. When your child was baptized, you promised to bring them up in the Catholic faith. But, bringing them to CREED each week is not everything you should be doing. The real center of our faith is the Eucharist, and many of the lessons they learn about this year need to be reinforced with regular Mass attendance.

The staff at Resurrection will be praying that this is a holy and special year for you and your family. If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Religious Education Office.

Peace of Christ!

Peggy Kehres, Children’s Ministry Coordinator Julie Greer, Second Grade Team Leader

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What is the Meaning of Holy Communion?

When we hear that someone is going to make their First Communion, our reaction may be, “How Nice! The children look so innocent with their white dresses and blue suits. I hope their parents are having a party.”

But truthfully, First Communion, or any Communion for that matter, is more than “nice”; it is extraordinary! During the day before He died, Christ told His apostles to go see the owner of the house where they were having their Passover meal. Jesus knew that He was going to leave them and He wanted this last meal with His apostles to be something special. Jesus knew He was going to suffer and die. He also knew that He would no longer be with the apostles, as their teacher and leader here on earth. After everyone had finished eating, Jesus took some ordinary bread and table wine and blessed them. He told the apostles to eat and drink this bread and wine, because they were now His body and blood. He told them that whoever eats and drinks His body and blood will have everlasting life. Then, because He knew He would be leaving the apostles, Jesus told them that whenever they do this miracle of changing ordinary bread and wine into His body and blood, they should remember how He did it the first time. During the Last Supper with His apostles, Jesus gave us the sacrament of Holy Communion. This outward sign, given to us by Christ to give us grace, is His way of allowing those who followed after the apostles to have a chance to share in Christ physically. This sacrament is truly a miracle. As the children receive First Communion, they are receiving the second of the three sacraments of initiation. The first was Baptism that they probably received as infants. The third is Confirmation that they will receive when they are in high school.

The earliest Christians who were converted by the apostles were the adults of their time. These new converts received all three of these sacraments at one time, when they were initiated into the Faith. Even today, adult converts to Catholicism, who have not already been baptized or confirmed, receive these three sacraments for the first time at the Easter Vigil service on Holy Saturday night. So, to the parents of the First Communicants, this will be a memorable day, a good day to celebrate and have a party. But remember what you are really celebrating. Jesus is the real star of the day! Your son or daughter is receiving for the first time, the actual physical body and blood of Our Savior in the special way of Holy Communion.

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How Do I Help Prepare My Child for First Eucharist

(Readiness = desire + knowledge + practice)

Parents are the most important adults and most important Christians in their children’s lives. Thus, the National Catechetical Directory calls parents and guardians “the primary educators of children”. More than anyone else, parents are in a position to use their children’s experiences as starting points for teaching them about God’s love for them. These points are also discussed in their CREED class, but your participation in this process is essential. Only you know your child best.

1. Children are expected to attend Mass weekly, and participate fully in the liturgy. Have them bring their My Mass Book to follow along with, and review this book at home often with your child. Further, they are welcome to participate in the Sunday Word of God program at both Sunday Masses, where the Mass readings are read, and discussed at their age level. = practice

2. Liturgical responses should be learned, and eventually memorized.

Go over them with your child until he/she can completely participate in the praying, singing, and responding at the liturgy. Before Mass decide on a particular intention your family wishes to pray for during the Prayer of the Faithful.

3. Ensure that your child fully understands that they are receiving the Body and Blood of

Jesus Christ. Explain that as Catholics, we believe that the Eucharist is the reception of Jesus, body, soul, and divinity, and not just a symbol. The Eucharist, under the appearance of bread and wine, is the Real Presence of Jesus Christ; by the power of the Holy Spirit, it becomes the Body and Blood of Christ during the Consecration (by Transubstantiation) = knowledge

4. Review the procedure for receiving Communion. Remind them that we fast one hour

prior to receiving Communion. There are many meanings and purposes to the practice of fasting before Eucharistic reception, among them the need for Catholics to approach the Eucharist in a physically and spiritually concentrated fashion. Fasting also reminds us of the great difference between earthly food, which sustains only perishable life, and the food of the Eucharist, which is the medicine of immortality.

5. Make your attendance at Mass special.

Prepare a special meal that day. Discuss the readings and selected music. On the ride home, talk about the homily. Discuss how you can implement the homily in your daily life.

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6. Children are great imitators. Share with them your enthusiasm for attending Mass, and the joy that you feel when receiving the Eucharist = desire

7. Share pictures and memories of your First Eucharist with your child.

Your attitude toward the sacrament is of utmost importance in this preparation process.

8. Discuss how your family can show compassion for those who hunger

in our diocese, and around the world.

9. Teach your child about “sacraments” as a sign and symbol of a hidden reality-God. Discuss how sacraments are gifts of grace from God.

10. Discuss with your child the significance of the Last Supper as the institution of the

Eucharist. 11. Discuss the Eucharist as a gift.

Special occasions remind us of an important time in our lives. Gifts sent at a time of sadness remind us that we are not alone, but are supported by the love of others. Farewell gifts are important to us and are greatly treasured. A gift which is given by someone we love, but from whom we are now separated is a constant reminder of the love we knew and still feel. Seeing that gift, we feel united with the person who gave it. The gift reminds us that even though we are now apart, our love still lives.

12. Discuss why we receive the Eucharist.

Here are some reason why Eucharist is so important in our lives: It is our way of remembering the way that God saved us through Jesus’ sacrifice; it is a way to remind us of God’s life in our faith community; when we receive Christ, we can take Him out into the world – through our interactions with others; and it is truly a blessing to be able to connect with Jesus so personally in the Eucharist.

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Here are some questions to discuss:

1. Who is God? (Our Father in heaven, who loves and cares for us.)

2. Who is Jesus? (Son of God, our brother, our Savior).

3. When did I become a member of God’s special family, the Church? (Baptism).

4. What is the First Great Commandment? (Love the Lord, your God).

5. What is the Second Great Commandment? (Love others as yourself).

6. How do I obey these Commandments? (Practice by picking a “secret” friend in the family and doing nice things for them).

7. What is Prayer? (Thinking about God with love, talking to God with love, and listening to God with love).

8. What is sin? (Failure to love, doing wrong on purpose, which hurts us, others, and God).

9. What does Jesus do for us during Mass? (Shares His Gospel Word and He changes bread and wine into His Body and Blood).

10. Read the story of the Wedding Feast at Cana and the Last Supper and discuss the family aspects in each.

11. Read the Beatitudes, Matthew 5:3-12, and talk about how we might act because of them.

12. How do you show love for another person? If asked to give the best expression of your love, what would you give?

Rite of Enrollment:

Enrollment of names for the First Communicants will take place the weekend of Sat / Sun January 13/14, 2018 at all of the Masses. Families of First Communicants may sit wherever they wish in the church. Following the homily, Fr. Jim will invite the First Communicants and their parents to come forth and stand in front of the altar steps. At this time, make sure your student has their laminated enrollment card in hand, so that they may read and state the appropriate response to the questions posed in the ritual. Afterward, the card will make a nice keepsake for the children, as they take a step closer to becoming fully initiated into the Catholic Church through the sacrament of Eucharist. A Book of Names will be circulated among the CREED classes for the First Communicants to sign as a reaffirmation of the intentions they stated during the Rite of Enrollment.

*IMPORTANT: Do not send your child to Word of God on Enrollment Sunday. Word of God participants return to the church after enrollment concludes

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Outline of the First Communion Program This year is a very important year in your child’s spiritual life. The reception of First Communion will be the first major event in their lives regarding the Church that they will remember into adulthood. All of us, who are involved in Resurrection’s Religious Education Program, are fully committed to its success. If you have any questions about any of the material or activities regarding the First Communion program, please feel free to speak with your child’s Teacher or contact us at the parish office at (614) 939-1974. The following material is provided to help you understand some of the basic events that are related to the program this year.

Attendance:

A great deal of important material will be covered this year in the preparation for the reception of First Communion. It is very important that the students attend as many of the classes as possible, so that they can learn the material and come to a fuller understanding and appreciation of the marvelous gift of the Eucharist they are receiving. If your child is absent, please contact the teacher to find out which lesson was missed and review the missed lesson at home with your child.

Weekly Mass Attendance:

The Catechism of the Catholic Church #2042 states that “The first precept (“You shall attend Mass on Sundays and on holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor”) requires the faithful to sanctify the day commemorating the Resurrection of the Lord…

To create excitement for the sacrament they will soon be receiving and affirm their mass attendance, the children will be able to “put themselves at the Table of the Lord” each week. There will be a large magnetic board in the Gathering Space inviting them to Come to the Table. Each student will have a magnet with their picture on it that they can put at the “table” each week when they arrive for mass, culminating with their First Eucharist masses in the spring. If you are unable to attend Mass at Resurrection at 5:00pm Saturday or 9 or 11:00am on Sunday, here are some other nearby suggestions:

St. Paul, 313 N. State Street, Westerville Saturday: 4:00pm, Sunday: 7:30am, 9:00am, 10:30am, 12:15pm and 5:00pm

St. Matthew, 807 Havens Corners Road, Gahanna Saturday: 5:00pm, Sunday: 8:00am, 10:00am, 12:00pm and 5:00pm

St. Elizabeth, 6077 Sharon Woods Blvd, Columbus Saturday: 5:30pm, Sunday: 9:00am and 11:00am

Church of the Ascension, 555 S. Main Street, Johnstown Saturday: 5:30pm, Sunday: 8:30am and 11:00am

Go to www.columbuscatholic.org/Parishes to find Mass times at any parish in the Columbus Diocese.

Will you be out of town? Catholic Masses have the same readings, prayers, and Eucharist all over the world. Check this website to find a Catholic Mass in the city you’ll be visiting: www.masstimes.org

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Calendar & Curriculum:

The second grade CREED students use the St. Mary Press “Go-Seek-Find” sacramental preparation program. During the first half of the year, we are covering 8 chapters on Reconciliation. Beginning in January, we cover 10 chapters about Eucharist preparation. Sprinkled then throughout the year are lessons on various other subjects and the church year. All of our lessons completely cover the graded course of study expected of us by the Diocese of Columbus. The main “textbook” for this preparation program is the bible and specially selected bible stories help illustrate the parts of our faith the students are learning about. In the Reconciliation lessons they will read stories like the Forgiving Father, the Good Shepherd and the 10 Commandments. During the Eucharist lessons they read stories like the Loaves and Fishes, the Last Supper and the Road to Emmaus. Each chapter includes activities that help the students connect the story to our faith and their lives. If you are curious about the program and exactly what is being taught, please discuss this with your child’s catechist or Peggy Kehres. There will also be practice, church visits, and special guests in addition to these lessons.

Mass books:

Students all have Mass/Reconciliation flip books in their backpacks. Please feel free to have your child bring this book with them to Mass each week. Catechists may need for them to bring them to class each week as a resource in the classroom, so don't forget to slip it back in the backpack after Mass.

There will also use practice, church visits, special guests, and supplemental lessons in addition to the chapters in the book.

Special Visitors in the Spring:

Abby Porr or Thom Wyatt will be visiting the classroom early in the winter semester to teach the students the songs for First Eucharist Masses.

Father Jim visits all CREED classrooms as some point during the year.

Representatives from the Knights of Columbus will come for 15-20 minutes during the spring to tell students about their organization and show them their full dress, that they will be in during the First Eucharist Masses.

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Practices in Class and How to Receive the Eucharist:

Students will practice weekly in their classes during the second half of the year. Please be sure to share with your student family practices that you expect your student to follow and go over these steps for how to receive the Eucharist with your child, as this is what they will be practicing in class:

Jesus invites us to receive Communion every time we attend Mass. One should not eat or drink anything but water for one hour before receiving Communion, not one hour prior to the start of Mass (this rule does not apply to the sick or elderly or their caregivers – Canon #919).

Approach the Communion station reverently, with hands folded as if in prayer. As the person ahead of you is receiving the Body of Christ, bow (slight bow, upper body only) as a sign of reverence for the Real Presence. Then the priest or Eucharistic Minister will say to you, “The Body of Christ.” Answer “Amen” (meaning, “Yes, I believe”) in a clear voice.

You may choose to receive Communion in your hand or on your tongue. If receiving on the tongue, open the mouth, tilt head back, and extend the tongue. Hands should remain folded at chest level. To receive Communion in the hand, place the right hand under the left hand, making a “throne” with your cupped hands, raise up both hands to chest level or higher, and extend arms toward the priest or Eucharistic Minister. If you are left-handed, reverse the placement of hands (left under right). Bottom hand is used to lift the host to mouth and consume it. The host must be consumed immediately.

Some individuals may wish to make the Sign of the Cross after receiving the Eucharist. This is a personal demonstration of piety, and is up to the individual.

If receiving from the cup, the priest or Eucharist Minister will offer it to you, saying, “The Blood of Christ.” As they are saying those words, again bow. Answer, clearly, “Amen.” Take the chalice in both hands and sip carefully from it. Communicants should NOT dip the host into the chalice. If the person receiving is not able or willing to drink from the cup, he or she should receive only under the form of bread.

Since Christ is sacramentally present under each of the species, Communion under the species of bread alone makes it possible to receive all the fruit of Eucharistic grace. But the “sign of Communion” is more complete when given under both species, since in that form the sign of the Eucharistic meal appears more completely (at the Last Supper, Jesus said, “This is my Body…take this and eat of it…this is my Blood…take and drink.”)

Proceed back to your seat reverently, with hands folded prayerfully. Sit or kneel, offering a prayer of thanksgiving to God, especially by singing the Communion hymn.

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Special Communion Meditation Song:

As part of their First Eucharist Mass, students will sing the Communion Meditation Song, “At the Center of My Heart.” The song will be on the Parish website under Sacramental Preparation. Please download the song and practice with your child. They will be taught motions by Abby Porr or Thom Wyatt in the winter and practice regularly in class. If you would like a copy of the song, please let the religious education office know.

Banners:

Traditionally, First Communion families make banners at home that are displayed at the First Eucharist Group Masses, and throughout the Easter Season. The banners are made at home, and this makes a nice family project, in preparation for your child’s special day! Please start early, so that they don’t become a last-minute “chore”.

A standard, 9” by 12” piece of ordinary felt (not felt with a hard backing) is used for the background. For your convenience, we have purchased a large selection of colors for you to choose from. However, felt squares may also be found at any fabric shop, including Michael’s and Meijer. Here are some guidelines:

please design the banner to hang vertically (with a 9” section at the top)

your child’s first name may go on the front of the banner, if you wish. Child’s first and last names definitely must appear on the back of the banner (masking tape or a label), so that it may be returned to your child after First Eucharist

all of the banners will be attached via straight pins to two large muslin cloth backgrounds and displayed from large T-poles; therefore, please do not attach any dowel rods or other type of hanging device to the top of the banner.

If using “scrap booking” items, please keep in mind the weight of such items. Be sure to fasten everything securely to the banner. Lots of Glue!!

No Glitter, Please!

Banners may be turned in at any time, but must be turned in by the March 3 Retreat.

Retreat:

The mandatory FIRST EUCHARIST PARENT & CHILD RETREAT is scheduled for Saturday, March 3, 2018, from 9am-1:00. As a way of helping you prepare your child to celebrate First Eucharist, our 2nd grade staff and a team of volunteers will be presenting a retreat for First Eucharist candidates and their adult companions. Students and one parent, relative, or another special adult will explore the importance of the Eucharist to the Church and the meaning of the Eucharist in their lives.

Please note that child care will not be available and we cannot accommodate siblings. However, the morning ends with a shared meal that additional family members are welcome to attend.

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Dress Code for Mass:

There is not a specific dress code, however students should “dress up” to make the day seem special. You will find that boys usually wear Sunday Dress Clothes ( i.e., suit or sport jacket, slacks, shirt, socks and dress shoes). PLEASE, NO BLUE JEANS OR SNEAKERS! All boys will receive a white carnation boutonniere.

For the Girls, dressy dress or traditional white First Communion Dress with an optional head cover, such as a traditional veil, baby breath wreath or flowers may be worn. No gloves are to be worn when receiving the Eucharist.

The communicants should carry nothing. Please leave bibles, rosaries and other devotional items at home or in the care of parents.

Gift & Clothing Store Ideas:

Generations Religious Gifts & Church Supply 1095 Dublin Rd. (Grandview Area)

Catholica (uptown Westerville) 133 S. State Street, Westerville, OH

Lifeway (Polaris – next to Sofa Express) 8735 Lyra Dr, Columbus, OH 43240

Communion Dresses & Veils* Von Maur, Strasburg Children, Penney’s, Sears - Polaris Mall Once Upon A Child – shops throughout Columbus (children’s resale shops) Teddy Bareskins - 251 Bridge St. Dublin, OH

Family Member Participation in the Group Masses:

If there are any priests or deacons in your family who would like to assist with the Masses, please let the religious education office know, in advance, that they are welcome to participate. Also, if any family members are trained Altar Servers or Extraordinary Ministers of Communion in our parish and wish to participate, please let the Religious Education Office know so that they can be scheduled for your Mass.

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Lector and Gift Bearer Opportunities at the Group Masses:

Children have the opportunity to sign up to be lectors and gift bearers at their First Eucharist Mass. Two things need to be stressed: Do not sign your child up to do these things without consulting them first! Many times children are reluctant to do this and we do not want them so worried about being a lector or gift bearer that they miss the beauty of this special day. Second, students must attend a mandatory rehearsal the Tuesday before their Mass (no exceptions!). Without practicing they will be especially nervous at the Masses. We want their First Communion Mass to be special, not the cause of worry or concern.

Children will read for a trained parish lector so that we can determine the best opportunity for them. Every effort is made to let all students participate who want to, no matter how many respond.

If your child is interested, please fill out the form that will be sent during the second half of the year, after discussing with your child.

First Eucharist Pictures:

Individual Portraits will be taken by parishioner and professional photographer Donovan McKinney during the weeks of April 9th and April 16th, 2018. Parochial school students will also be able to schedule an individual portrait sitting during one of these times. Individual portraits will be taken in the Ministry Center. Complete information on scheduling these portrait times and payment information will be sent out during the second part of the year.

Group Picture will be taken by Mr. McKinney after each of the Group Masses, in the church.

Videos - The Masses will be recorded by the parish and will be available for purchase. Ordering information will be available in the winter. Camcorders are NOT permitted during Mass.

During Mass - No one is allowed to leave his/her seat during the ceremony to take pictures. We ask that you restrict yourselves to one still camera per family. Your family photographer may not move around during the liturgy or block the aisles, nor may they approach the sanctuary (altar area). They are required to sit or kneel when the rest of the assembly is doing so. Please pass this information on to friends or members of your family whom you think might be tempted to take pictures during the liturgy. Please help the candidates and the rest of the parish make this a special and prayerful event.

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Mandatory Rehearsals for Group Masses:

NO EXCEPTIONS! CHILD AND AT LEAST 1 PARENT MUST ATTEND! (It is highly recommended that both adults who will be seated with the child attend the practice.) For the April 15th Mass: rehearsal will take place Tues. April 10, 6:00 – 7:15 pm, in the church. For the April 21st Mass: rehearsal will take place Tues. April 17, 6:00 – 7:15 pm, in the church.

Group Masses:

**Children who are participating in the Sunday, April 15, 2018 11:00 a.m. Mass need to arrive at the Day Chapel by 10:30 a.m.

**Children who are participating in the Saturday, April 21, 2018 5:00 p.m. Mass need to arrive at the Day Chapel by 4:30 p.m.

Please check in at the front doors. The children will then have a short music warm-up with Thom Wyatt. After that, we will be lining up the children in the Gathering Space and preparing them for their processional into church. It would be most helpful if families and guests of the children take their seats and remain in the church proper at this time, in order to minimize confusion and/or distractions in the already-crowded Gathering Space! At the end of Mass, after the children process out of the church, they will be taken to the Day Chapel, so that we may re-assemble them for pictures in the church. Parents – please remain in the church during this time and tell your guests to do so as well. If you need to use the restrooms, please hold off for 10 minutes so that we may take the children first!

The Parish Nursery will be open during the Masses. Please call the Religious Education Office to make a reservation for your younger children or your guests’ children.

Seating - Seats will be reserved in the two main sections on both sides of the main aisle for the communicants and parents (2 people only, please). The final seating chart will be given at the rehearsal.

Reception of Eucharist: The Communion station will be the top step of the altar. Parents (or two adults who will be seated with the child) and communicant will approach the Communion station together. The child receives the sacrament first, and then the parents. This is done at both stations, and then the family returns to their seats. If a parent is not Catholic, they simply do not hold out their hands, but are certainly welcome to come forward.

Certificates: There will be a table set up in the Gathering Space on which your child’s First Eucharist Certificate and rosary (gift from the Knights of Columbus and Women’s Group) are located.

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Reconciliation at Resurrection

As part of your child’s Second Grade faith formation, we will be preparing them to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. While they will have the knowledge of the sacrament and how to receive the sacrament, it will be up to you as parents as to whether they receive the sacrament.

This fall, the students have been receiving lessons on forgiveness and reconciliation and will take a tour of the Reconciliation rooms. This preparation should be completed by mid December. We leave the reception of the sacrament and when the time is right up to the parents. Several opportunities exist for you and your family to receive the sacrament together with your student the first time:

Father Jim or Father Trainor will be available any Saturday from 4:00-4:30 PM in the West Reconciliation Room at the church – especially nice is before one of the Children’s Masses

There will be 2 parish reconciliation opportunities – one in December during Advent and another during Lent. At these services, additional priests will be present to hear individual confessions.

Fr. Jim is also available to hear individual reconciliations by appointment. Call the parish office at 614-855-1400 to set up a time with either priest.

Parents are welcome to take their child to any of these opportunities – there is no need to make a reservation. Just remember to remind your child to tell Father that it is their first visit with the sacrament. And finally, we do ask that you notify the office so that a certificate can be prepared for your child to celebrate this wonderful occasion. Those families who do not wish to have their child make an individual confession this year may opt to have them wait until fourth grade when we cover the sacrament in greater depth.

Many parents ask, “How do I know my child is ready for reconciliation?” and “What kind of preparation does a child need in order to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation?” The Church realizes that children are not yet adults and it only expects a child’s level of understanding from them. The following is a list of points that you can help the child understand in preparation for First Reconciliation:

The child should know God loves him or her.

The child should be able to tell the difference between right and wrong.

The child should understand that sin harms or breaks our relationship with God and others. They should understand the difference between sin (a deliberate choice to do wrong) and a mistake or an accident. Recognize that sinning is saying “no” to God.

The child should experience forgiveness as a regular part of family life. When they misbehave, they need to be corrected and feel pardoned.

The child should know that the sacrament offers God’s forgiveness. The story of the Prodigal Son is an excellent illustration of this point.

The child should understand that he/she must be sorry for his/her sins and express that sorrow (contrition).

The child should understand that the Sacrament of Reconciliation restores our relationship with God and renews our Baptism promises. One can begin anew.

The child should know how to celebrate the Rite of Reconciliation.

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Important First Communion Dates:

Rite of Enrollment: Weekend Masses of January 13/14, 2018

First Eucharist Parent/Child Retreat:

Saturday, March 3, 9am – 1:00pm Lunch included.

Banners are due!

Rehearsal Dates for First Eucharist:

Tuesday, April 10th from 6:00-7:30 for Sunday, April 15th 11am Mass participants Tuesday, April 17th from 6:00-7:30 for Saturday, April 21st 5pm Mass participants

First Eucharist Group Masses:

Sunday, April 15 at 11am - arrive at church by 10:30 Saturday, April 21 at 5pm - arrive at church by 4:30