First Reconciliation & First Eucharist
Program Guide ~ 2012 - 2013
The Preparation Process
Preparation for your child’s first celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and first sharing in the Eucharist takes place in four ways:
· At the parish, through your child’s regular textbook in
+ Christian Formation
+Waukesha Catholic schools
· In your home, using God’s Gift: Reconciliation and God’s Gift: Eucharist
· By participating in the parent/child
evenings and retreat
· Through weekly participation in
Sunday Mass.
“Parents’ Journeys”
Adult Faith Enrichment
Because we grow and change throughout all of life, an important part of our faith life as adults is on-going enrichment and growth. There will be “Parents’ Journeys” opportunities provided for you to choose from in the fall and in the spring. An registration form is attached to the same email as this guide.
Blessing Ritual for Beginning the Preparation Year
A Blessing Ritual will take place during each weekend liturgy the weekend of October 13-14. Following the Homily, the Presider will invite you and your child(ren) to come forward. During this ritual you will receive your child(ren)’s book and the parent guide for both sacraments.
Using the Preparation Books
God’s Gift: Reconciliation and God’s Gift: Eucharist, each consist of a child’s book and a parent guide in magazine format. There are eight lessons for each sacrament. The parent guides are designed to assist you in teaching your child about the sacraments in a easy to understand and undertake way. As you familiarize yourself with the process outlined in the parent guide, please note the following in each volume:
· The introductions, which include background to each sacrament, tips for effectively teaching your child(ren), and ways to involve your entire family in the preparation process
· Each lesson plan begins with a “Life Lesson” section which connects the concept being presented to everyday living
· ‘Your Child’s Moral/Spiritual Development” which helps you to understand how they will grasp the meaning of the sacrament according to their developmental stage of learning and faith
· Four steps to each lesson – “Read Aloud, Learn Together”, “Let’s Imagine”, “Let’s Dig In”, and
“Let’s Pray”.
· “Ideas for Living the Lesson”, which help you understand ways to reinforce the concept of the lesson throughout the coming week.
· Final sections; “A Short Refresher Course”, for parents, which gives some basic teachings of the Church, “A Few Basic Prayers”, and a glossary, “Terms Your Child Will Use.”
Potluck Dinner
The Potluck Dinner at the beginning of the year is open to your entire household. A reservation form and chart of what to bring is attached to the same email as this guide.
Schedule for Completing Lessons
Please complete the lessons as follows. For Christian Formation Students, books should be brought to class on the due date. They will be returned the same day. Waukesha Catholic students should turn in their books in the morning of the due date. They will be returned by the end of the day. Books will be checked by the
Director of Child Ministry. The goal is to complete one lesson every two weeks, with some exceptions due to holidays.
1st RECONCILIATION LESSONS
Lesson Numbers
|
Date Due
|
1 & 2
|
Nov. 4 & 6 (CF)
Nov.12 (WC)
|
2 & 3
|
Dec. 9 & 11 (CF)
Dec. 10 (WC)
|
5 & 6
|
Jan. 13 & 15 (CF)
Jan. 14 (WC)
|
1st EUCHARIST LESSONS
Lesson Numbers
|
Date Due
|
1 & 2
|
Feb. 10 & 12 (CF)
Feb. 11 (WC)
|
3 & 4
|
Mar. 10 & 12 (CF)
Mar. 11 (WC)
|
5 & 6
|
April 21 & 23 (CF)
April 22 (WC)
|
Celebration of First Reconciliation
Celebrations of First Reconciliation will be held in Church and will consist of communal gathering rites, scripture readings, and examination of conscience. Each child will then meet privately with a priest to confess their sins. Parents are strongly encouraged to celebrate the sacrament at the same service. Following this, a simple concluding ritual takes place, and you are free to leave.
Choice of Date & Time for Celebrating First Reconciliation
The choice of date/time for your child’s First Reconciliation will take place via email in November.
~ 3 ~
Choice of Date & Time for Celebrating First Eucharist
The choice of date/Mass time for your child’s First Eucharist will take place in January. Space at each liturgy is limited to 20 families and will be assigned on first-come-first-served basis. The dates for celebration are May 4 at the 5 PM Mass, and May 5 at the 9 and 11 AM Masses.
Attire for First Eucharist Celebrations
BOYS: White Shirt, dark tie (need not be a solid color), dark pants. Sport or suit jacket,
or sweater vest is optional.
Girls: White dresses of any type. In keeping with the spirit of the liturgy of Vatican II it is strongly suggested that veils not be worn. This custom dates back to women covering their heads in church. Since this is no longer a practice, it makes veils unnecessary. Additionally, it creates confusion between First Eucharist and the custom of a bride being veiled. The children will be carrying lighted candles during the renewal of their baptismal promises, so the danger of the veils catching fire also exists. Because the girls are not familiar with wearing something on their head they often become preoccupied with their veil, taking away from the proper focus on the celebration. Flowers or a white bow are suitable. No gloves may be worn.
Seating For First Eucharist Masses
Seats will be reserved for the child celebrating their First Eucharist and two parents. The remainder of your pew is for additional family members. Please let us know of any special seating circumstances and we will make every attempt to accommodate you.
Gifts
For your convenience, a gift catalog will be made available as soon as they arrive from Stemper’s, a local church goods supplier, which is usually in January. Orders will be taken and you will be notified when they arrive. The Giving Tree on Janacek Road in Brookfield is a local source.
Family Banner
Each family will make a banner which will be displayed in church the weekend of First Eucharist liturgies. Instructions for the banners will be distributed in February.
Baptismal candles
The children will carry their baptismal candle as they renew their baptismal promises at the First Eucharist liturgy. If you cannot locate their candle, we will supply you with a similar one for a nominal fee. They will be available for purchase on the day of First Eucharist rehearsals.
St. Mary Catholic Church
Christian Formation Office
225 S. Hartwell Ave. 53186
262.547.6555 x306
