2019Parent Preparation Handbook · Confession is an act of honesty and courage - an act of...
Transcript of 2019Parent Preparation Handbook · Confession is an act of honesty and courage - an act of...
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Parent Preparation Handbook
First Reconciliation and First Communion 2018-2019
St. Luke Church 7575 Holliday Drive E. Indianapolis IN 46260
Tel. 317-259-4373
Sister Diane Carollo, S.G.L., Director of Religious Education Tel. 317-259-4373, ext 256
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TableofContents
TheSymbolismofthePelican……………………………………………………………3-4GeneralInformation……………………………………………………………………………5TheChurch’sTeachingontheSacramentofReconciliation………………5-7TheChurch’sTeachingontheSacramentoftheEucharist…………………7-8InformationonFirstCommunionRetreatandMasses…………………………9SecondGradeSacramentProgram–JesusourLife………………………………10
FORMEDasaResource………………………………………………………………………………………11MarkYourCalendars..…………………………………………………………………………12MiscellaneousQuestions/Comments………………………………………...........13-14ActofContritionandPersonalNotes…………………………………………………..15 Confession is an act of honesty and courage - an act of entrusting ourselves, beyond sin, to the mercy of a loving and forgiving God. Pope St. John Paul II Only through the Eucharist is it possible to live the heroic virtues of Christianity: charity, to the point of forgiving one's enemies; love for those who make us suffer; chastity in every age and situation of life; patience in suffering and when one is shocked by the silence of God in the tragedies of history or of one's own personal existence. You must always be Eucharistic souls in order to be authentic Christians. Pope St. John Paul II
3TheSymbolismofthePelicanbyFatherWilliamSaundersThesymbolismofthemotherpelicanfeedingherlittlebabypelicansisrootedinanancientlegendwhichprecededChristianity.Thelegendwasthatintimeoffamine,themotherpelicanwoundedherself,strikingherbreastwiththebeaktofeedheryoungwithherbloodtopreventstarvation.Anotherversionofthelegendwasthatthemotherfedherdyingyoungwithherbloodtorevivethemfromdeath,butinturnlostherownlife.Giventhistradition,onecaneasilyseewhytheearlyChristiansadaptedittosymbolizeourLord,JesusChrist.ThepelicansymbolizesJesusourRedeemerwhogaveHislifeforourredemptionandtheatonementHemadethroughHispassionanddeath.WeweredeadtosinandhavefoundnewlifethroughtheBloodofChrist.Moreover,JesuscontinuestofeeduswithHisbodyandbloodintheholyEucharist.ThistraditionandothersisfoundinthePhysiologus,anearlyChristianworkwhichappearedinthesecondcenturyinAlexandria,Egypt.Writtenbyananonymousauthor,thePhysiologusrecordedlegendsofanimalsandgaveeachanallegoricalinterpretation.Forinstancethephoenix,whichburnsitselftodeathandrisesonthethirddayfromtheashes,symbolizesChristwhodiedforoursinsandroseonthethirddaytogiveusthepromiseofeverlastinglife.Theunicornwhichonlyallowsitselftobecapturedinthelapofapurevirgin,symbolizestheincarnation.Heretoothelegendofthepelicanfeedingheryoungisdescribed:"Thelittlepelicansstriketheirparents,andtheparents,strikingback,killthem.Butonthethirddaythemotherpelicanstrikesandopenshersideandpoursbloodoverherdeadyoung.Inthiswaytheyarerevivifiedandmadewell.SoOurLordJesusChristsaysalsothroughtheprophetIsaiah:Ihavebroughtupchildrenandexaltedthem,buttheyhavedespisedme(Is1:2).WestruckGodbyservingthecreatureratherthantheCreator.ThereforeHedeignedtoascendthecross,andwhenHissidewaspierced,bloodandwatergushedforthuntooursalvationandeternallife."ThisworkwasnotedbySt.Epiphanius,St.BasilandSt.PeterofAlexandria.ItwasalsopopularintheMiddleAgesandwasasourceforthesymbolsusedinthevariousstonecarvingsandotherartworkofthatperiod.Clearlythepelicanbecameasymbolofcharity.ReferencetothepelicananditsChristianmeaningarefoundinRenaissanceliterature:Dante(1321)inthe"Paridiso"ofhisDivineComedyreferstoChristas"ourPelican."JohnLylyinhisEuphues(1606)wrote,"Pelicanewhostrikethbloodoutofitsownebodyetodoothersgood."Shakespeare(1616)inHamletwrote,"Tohisgoodfriendthuswide,Illopemyarms/And,likethekind,life-renderingpelican/Repastthemwithmyblood."JohnSkelton(1529)inhisArmorieofBirds,wrote,"ThensaydthePellycan:WhenmyByrdtsbeslayne/WithmybloudeIthemrevyve.Scripturedothrecord/ThesamedydourLord/Androsefromdethtolyve."Thepelicanalsohasbeenpartofourliturgicaltradition.Asmentionedinthequestionposedbythereader,theimageofthepelicanfeedingitsbabypelicanswasapopularartworkonanaltarfrontal.Inearlytimes,whentabernaclesweresometimessuspendedoverthealtar,theywereshapedlikepelicans:forexample,DurhamCathedral,towhichwasattachedaBenedictinemonasterypriortothesuppressionofthemonasteriesbyHenryVIII1538,hadtheBlessedSacramentreservedinatabernaclefashionedinsilverlikeapelicanandsuspendedovertheHighAltar.Inthehymn"Adorotedevote,"thesixthverse(writtenbySt.ThomasAquinasandtranslatedintoEnglishbyGerardManleyHopkins)reads,
LikewhattendertalestellofthePelicanBatheme,JesusLord,inwhatThyBosomranBloodthatbutonedropofhasthepowrtowinAlltheworldforgivenessofitsworldofsin.
4Therefore,theimageofthepelicanisastrongreminderofourLord,whosufferedanddiedforustogiveuseternallifeandwhonourishesusonourpilgrimwaywiththeHolyEucharist.Maythatimagemoveustoshowthesamecharityandself-givinglovetowardall.
5GeneralInformation
Duringyourchild’ssecondgradeyear,heorshewillbepreparedforthesacramentsofReconciliation(Penance)andEucharist.Youwillalsobeaskedtoattendtwoorientationmeetingsonthesacramentsaswellassessionsonthetheologyofthesacraments.Seethecalendaronpage10forthemeetingdates.ThistimealsoprovidesparentswiththeopportunitytoreaffirmtheircommitmenttothepracticeoftheCatholicFaith,andtodeepentheirrelationshipwithChrist.ThisrenewedcommitmentnecessarilyinvolvesparticipationatMassandthereceptionofthesacraments.ItalsosignalsacommitmenttoupholdthePreceptsoftheChurch.Ifyou’veneverheardaboutthem,seethelistbelow.
1. ToattendMassandrestfromservilelaboronSundaysandHolyDaysofObligation.2. ToreceivetheSacramentofReconciliationatleastonceayear,especiallyifawareofcommitting
amortalsin.3. ToreceiveHolyCommunionatleastonceayear,betweentheFirstSundayofLentandTrinity
Sunday.4. ToobservethefastdaysandabstinencedaysestablishedbytheChurch.5. TocontributetothematerialsupportoftheChurch.
Church’sTeachingonthereconciliationFromtheCatechismoftheCatholicChurchTheCatechismoftheCatholicChurchprovidesthegroundworkforunderstandingwhatCatholicsbelieve.DespitethefactthatmanyCatholicparentsarewelleducatedinvariousfields,therealityisthatmanyareundereducatedintheirCatholicfaith.ReadingandstudyingtheCatechismisoneofthebestways
parentscanexploretheCatholicfaithinallitsrichness.
BelowareparagraphsfromtheCatechismontheSacramentofReconciliation.1485"Ontheeveningofthatday,thefirstdayoftheweek,"Jesusshowedhimselftohisapostles."He
breathedonthem,andsaidtothem:'ReceivetheHolySpirit.Ifyouforgivethesinsofany,theyareforgiven;ifyouretainthesinsofany,theyareretained"'(Jn20:19,22-23).
1486TheforgivenessofsinscommittedafterBaptismisconferredbyaparticularsacramentcalledthesacramentofconversion,confession,penance,orreconciliation.
1487ThesinnerwoundsGod'shonorandlove,hisownhumandignityasamancalledtobeasonofGod,
andthespiritualwell-beingoftheChurch,ofwhicheachChristianoughttobealivingstone.
1488Totheeyesoffaithnoevilisgraverthansinandnothinghasworseconsequencesforsinnersthemselves,fortheChurch,andforthewholeworld.
1490ThemovementofreturntoGod,calledconversionandrepentance,entailssorrowforandabhorrenceofsinscommitted,andthefirmpurposeofsinningnomoreinthefuture.Conversion
touchesthepastandthefutureandisnourishedbyhopeinGod'smercy.
1491ThesacramentofPenanceisawholeconsistinginthreeactionsofthepenitentandthepriest'sabsolution.thepenitent'sactsarerepentance,confessionordisclosureofsinstothepriest,andthe
6intentiontomakereparationanddoworksofreparation.
1493OnewhodesirestoobtainreconciliationwithGodandwiththeChurch,mustconfesstoapriestall
theunconfessedgravesinsheremembersafterhavingcarefullyexaminedhisconscience.theconfessionofvenialfaults,withoutbeingnecessaryinitself,isneverthelessstronglyrecommendedbytheChurch.
1494Theconfessorproposestheperformanceofcertainactsof"satisfaction"or"penance"tobeperformedbythepenitentinordertorepairtheharmcausedbysinandtore-establishhabitsbefittinga
discipleofChrist.
1495OnlypriestswhohavereceivedthefacultyofabsolvingfromtheauthorityoftheChurchcanforgivesinsinthenameofChrist.
1496ThespiritualeffectsofthesacramentofPenanceare:-reconciliationwithGodbywhichthepenitentrecoversgrace;-reconciliationwiththeChurch;-remissionoftheeternalpunishmentincurred
bymortalsins;-remission,atleastinpart,oftemporalpunishmentsresultingfromsin;-peaceandserenityofconscience,andspiritualconsolation;-anincreaseofspiritualstrengthfortheChristian
battle.
Areallsinsequal?Whenapersongoestoconfession,allmortal(grave)sinsmustbeconfessed.Venial(lesser)sinsdonotneedtobeconfessed,butitisrecommendedtodoso.Whenonlyvenialsinsareconfessed,thepersonis
makingadevotionalconfession.Tolearnmoreaboutthedifferencebetweenmortalandvenialsins,readparagraphs1854-1859.
SomepracticalspiritualbenefitsfromgoingtoconfessionIthelpsustogrowinself-knowledge.St.AugustineandmanyothersaintsanddoctorsoftheChurchhavetaughtthatknowingourselvesisessentialtohavingahealthyspirituallife.Self-knowledgehelpsustoappreciateourneedforGod’songoinghelpandgraceinourlives.FrequentConfessionremindsusthatweneedtodependonGodinordertoovercometemptationsandsin.Ithelpsustoovercomebadhabitsandsininourlives.Thegracewereceivefromthesacramenthelpsustowinthebattleagainstbadhabitsorvices.Badhabitsareacquiredwiththerepetitionofbadactions.Badhabitsmaybebrokenmorequicklyandeffectivelywhenwegotoconfessionregularly.TheconscienceispurifiedTheconscience,ifwellformed,teachesuswhatisrightorwrong.Sinoftendistortstheconscienceormakesitinsensitivetothetruth.ConfessionpurifiesourconsciencesothatwecanrecognizeGod’swillinthecircumstancesofourdailylives.Confessionenlightensandpurifiesourconscience.IthelpsusbecomemorelikeChrist.Itimpartsgracetooursouls.GracestrengthensustobecomemoreconformedtoJesusChristinwordanddeed.EverycanonizedsaintintheChurchwenttoconfessionnotonlywiththedesiretoovercomesinandsinfultendencies,butalsotobecomemorelovingandChrist-like.Confessionisthelaunchingpadforalifeofauthenticholiness.Itstrengthensourwill.Godstrengthensourwillwithhisgrace.Throughconfession,wegainself-controlandgrowinourdesireandcommitmenttoresistthetemptationsthatcrossourpathinlife.Webecomemoredeterminedtodo
7God’swillandnotourown.Self-will,self-absorptionandself-seekingaretheroadmaptosinthatleadsusawayfromtheWillofGod.CelebrationoftheSacramentofReconciliationFirstConfessionsforthesecondgradeisonSaturday,December15,at11:00a.m.inthechurch.Arrival:Pleasearrivenolaterthan10:40a.m.andbeseatedinchurchby10:50a.m.AbriefPenanceServicewillbeconductedbeforethechildrengotoconfession.Pleasenotethattheteachers/catechistswillassistthechildrenastheygotothepriests.Sincetherewillbenumerouspriestshearingconfessions,weencourageparentstoavailthemselvesoftheopportunitytogotoconfessionafterallthechildrenhavefinished.
TheChurch’steachingsontheEucharistFromtheCatechismoftheCatholicChurchFromtheparagraphsbelowintheCatechismoftheCatholicChurch,welearnthefollowing:1324TheEucharistis"thesourceandsummitoftheChristianlife."Theothersacraments,andindeedallecclesiasticalministriesandworksoftheapostolate,areboundupwiththeEucharistandareorientedtowardit.ForintheblessedEucharistiscontainedthewholespiritualgoodoftheChurch,namelyChristhimself,ourPasch."1337TheLord,havinglovedthosewhowerehisown,lovedthemtotheend.KnowingthatthehourhadcometoleavethisworldandreturntotheFather,inthecourseofamealhewashedtheirfeetandgavethemthecommandmentoflove.163Inordertoleavethemapledgeofthislove,inordernevertodepart
fromhisownandtomakethemsharersinhisPassover,heinstitutedtheEucharistasthememorialofhisdeathandResurrection,andcommandedhisapostlestocelebrateituntilhisreturn;"therebyheconstitutedthempriestsoftheNewTestament."164
1338ThethreesynopticGospelsandSt.Paulhavehandedontoustheaccountoftheinstitutionofthe
Eucharist;St.John,forhispart,reportsthewordsofJesusinthesynagogueofCapernaumthatpreparefortheinstitutionoftheEucharist:Christcallshimselfthebreadoflife,comedownfromheaven.165
1339JesuschosethetimeofPassovertofulfillwhathehadannouncedatCapernaum:givinghisdiscipleshisBodyandhisBlood:
ThencamethedayofUnleavenedBread,onwhichthepassoverlambhadtobesacrificed.SoJesussent
PeterandJohn,saying,"Goandpreparethepassovermealforus,thatwemayeatit...."Theywent...andpreparedthepassover.Andwhenthehourcame,hesatattable,andtheapostleswithhim.Andhesaidtothem,"IhaveearnestlydesiredtoeatthispassoverwithyoubeforeIsuffer;forItellyouIshall
noteatitagainuntilitisfulfilledinthekingdomofGod."....Andhetookbread,andwhenhehadgiventhankshebrokeitandgaveittothem,saying,"Thisismybodywhichisgivenforyou.Dothisinremembranceofme."Andlikewisethecupaftersupper,saying,"Thiscupwhichispouredoutforyouis
theNewCovenantinmyblood."166
81340BycelebratingtheLastSupperwithhisapostlesinthecourseofthePassovermeal,Jesusgavethe
JewishPassoveritsdefinitivemeaning.Jesus'passingovertohisfatherbyhisdeathandResurrection,thenewPassover,isanticipatedintheSupperandcelebratedintheEucharist,whichfulfillstheJewishPassoverandanticipatesthefinalPassoveroftheChurchinthegloryofthekingdom.
"Dothisinmemoryofme"
1341ThecommandofJesustorepeathisactionsandwords"untilhecomes"doesnotonlyaskusto
rememberJesusandwhathedid.Itisdirectedattheliturgicalcelebration,bytheapostlesandtheirsuccessors,ofthememorialofChrist,ofhislife,ofhisdeath,ofhisResurrection,andofhisintercessioninthepresenceoftheFather.167
1342FromthebeginningtheChurchhasbeenfaithfultotheLord'scommand.OftheChurchof
Jerusalemitiswritten:Theydevotedthemselvestotheapostles'teachingandfellowship,tothebreakingofbreadandtheprayers....Daybyday,attendingthetempletogetherandbreakingbreadintheir
homes,theypartookoffoodwithgladandgeneroushearts.168
1343Itwasaboveallon"thefirstdayoftheweek,"Sunday,thedayofJesus'resurrection,thattheChristiansmet"tobreakbread."169FromthattimeondowntoourowndaythecelebrationoftheEucharisthasbeencontinuedsothattodayweencounteriteverywhereintheChurchwiththesame
fundamentalstructure.ItremainsthecenteroftheChurch'slife.
1406Jesussaid:"Iamthelivingbreadthatcamedownfromheaven;ifanyoneeatsofthisbread,hewillliveforever;...hewhoeatsmyfleshanddrinksmybloodhaseternallifeand...abidesinme,andIinhim"(Jn6:51,54,56).
UnderstandingTransubstantiation
“Transubstantiation”isatheologicaltermthatdescribesthecompletechangeofthesubstance(what
somethingisinitsdeepestbeing)ofbreadintothesubstanceofJesusChrist.Whilethesubstancechanges,theaccidents(externalfeatures)remainthesame.Whatlookslikeawafer,tasteslikeawafer,andbreaksapartlikeanordinarywaferisactuallytheBody,Blood,SoulandDivinityofJesusChrist.
EffectsoftheEucharistinthelifeofCatholic
! AnincreasedanddeepenedunionwithJesus
! Forgivenessofvenial(lesser)sins
! Astrengtheningtoavoidfuturemortal(serious)sins
! Areinforcedunionwithallotherbelievers,whoaretheChurch
! Apreparationofthebodyforbodilyresurrection
9FIRSTHOLYCOMMUNIONRETREATANDMASSESFirstHolyCommunionRetreatOnSaturday,March2,from9:00a.m.to11:30p.m.therewillbearetreatforthechildrenpreparingforCommunion.Atleastoneparentshouldparticipatewiththeirchild.Theretreatwillbegininchurchat9:00a.m.Parentsandchildrenshouldarrivenolaterthan8:45a.m.tosigninandlearntheirgroupassignments.TheretreatconcludeswithBenedictioninchurch.DateofFirstCommunionFirstHolyCommunionswillbecelebratedonSaturday,April27.ThetwoMassesareat10:00a.m.and1:00p.m.FormstoselectaMasswillbedistributedattheEucharistOrientationmeetingonSunday,January13.Otherformsregardingparticipationofpriests,deacons,andExtraordinaryMinistersofHolyCommunionwillalsobedistributed.PhotographyEachyearwehaveprofessionalphotographersattheFirstCommunionMasses.Individualphotosandgroupphotoswillbeofferedtoparents.ThedetailsandpricingwillbeprovidedattheEucharistOrientationonSunday,January13.Parents,familymembersandfriendsshouldnottakeflashphotosduringtheCommunionMass.Noonemayleavethepewto“getashot.”OurprofessionalphotographersprovidetheirservicesduringtheMassandarerespectfuloftheliturgy.FirstCommunionBannersEachchildwillcreateabannerthatwillbedisplayedinthechurchattheFirstCommunionMasses.DirectionsonhowtodesignthebannerwillbedistributedattheEucharistOrientationmeetingonJanuary13.ThebannersshouldbecompletedandreturnedattheFirstHolyCommunionRetreatonMarch2.PracticesTherewillbetwopracticesforFirstHolyCommuniononThursday,April25.DependingontheMassselected,thepracticeswillbeconductedat6:15p.m.or7:15p.m.Thepracticesarenotinterchangeable.DressCodeGirls
! Whitedress! Whiteveilsorfloralwreathes! NopursesorglovesduringMass
Boys! Suitsorsportscoatsareappropriate! Dressshirtandtie,ordressshirtandvest! Noprayerbooks,rosariesorobjectsduringMass
Seating! ThechildrenwillmarchinatthebeginningofMassandsitoneithersideofthecenteraisle.
FollowingtheSignofPeace,theywillbeseatedwiththeirparents.ParentsandFirst! Communicantswillbeassignedpews.Only12peopleperpewarepermitted.Oldersiblings,
relativesandfriendsaretobeseatedbehindalltheFirstCommunicantsandtheirfamilies.Atthepractice,theseatswillbeassigned.
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JESUSOURLIFE
TheFirstReconciliationandFirstEucharisttextandactivitybooksthatareusedinthesacramentprogramarefromJesusOurLife,BookTwointheFaithandLifeSeries.FaithandLifeispublishedby
IgnatiusPress.TheUSCCB(UnitedStatesConferenceofCatholicBishops)haslistedFaithandLifeamongthecatecheticalbooksandseriesthatareinconformitywiththeCatechismoftheCatholicChurch.
JesusOurLifeThestudentsarepreparedforthesacramentsofPenanceandFirstHolyCommunionthroughstudyingthedevelopmentofsalvationhistory.AsstudentslearnaboutGod’splanofloveandmercy,theybegintounderstandthatthesesacramentsareGod’sgifttousandthattheytooarepartofGod’slovingplan.Specialemphasisisgiventopreparationforandreceptionofthesesacraments,aswellaslearningabouttheMass.Creed/ScriptureSacramentsStudentsdevelopanunderstandingofthemysteryofChristthroughageappropriateteachingsonChurchdoctrineandscripturalreferencesaslistedbelowandintheteacher’smanual.ChristianLivingThroughoutthesecondgrade,studentsdeveloptheirunderstandingofthedignityofthehumanperson.StudentslearntoliveouttheirfaithandrespondtowhattheylearnbyformingamoralconscienceandbylivingouttheircalltojusticeandservicethroughimitatingthelifeofJesus.PrayerThroughoutthesecondgrade,studentscontinuetheirdevelopmentofaprayerlifethatincludeslearningthebasictraditionalCatholicprayersandprayingspontaneousprayers.TheycontinuetolearnthatprayeristalkingwithGod.SpecialemphasisisgiventolearningabouttheMassastheperfectformofprayer.SacramentalPreparationStudentswillstudytheSacramentsofPenanceandHolyCommunioninpreparationtoreceivethemforthefirsttime.Theywilllearnaboutsin,God’smercy,confessionofsins,reconciliation,thestepstoagoodconfession,andthematter,form,effects,andministeroftheSacramentofPenance.TheywillalsostudythePassover,LastSupper,theinstitutionoftheEucharist,transubstantiation,thepriesthood,sacrifice,theorderandpartsoftheMass,personalunionwithChristinHolyCommunion,Eucharisticdevotion,andthematter,form,effects,andministeroftheSacramentofHolyCommunion.TheSacramentofPenanceisstudiedinchapters17,18,19,20,and30.TheSacramentofHolyCommunionisstudiedinchapters22,25,27,28,30,and33.
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FORMEDAsyourchildrenlearnmoreabouttheirCatholicfaith,weinviteparentstoalsobecomebetterinformedaboutCatholicismthroughourparishsubscriptiontoFORMED.FORMEDhasinspiringmoviesandvideobasedstudies,audiotalksande-booksfromtheChurch'smostcompellingspeakersandauthors.Callita“FaithCE–aFaithContinuingEducation”resource.
! FantheflamesofyourfaithbypreparingforMasseachSundaybywatchinganinsightfulfive-minutevideoontheSundayReadingsusingOpeningtheWord
! Enjoyafamilymovienightbywatchinganentertainingandmeaningfulreligiousvideo! Enrichyourmarriagewiththeaward-winningvideoprogramBELOVED! Helpyourchildrengrowinfaithandcharacterwithengagingchildren’smaterials.
SignupisEASY!Simplygotowww.FORMED.orgtoregisteryouremail.Useourparishcode298816WanttogetFORMEDon-the-go?Learnmoreatapp.formed.orgtodownloadtheFORMEDappforallyoursmartdevices.Then,beautifulCatholiccontentisonly1clickaway,anytimeandanyplace. 300+episodesofvideo-basedstudyprograms35+featurefilmsandmovies45+audiopresentations25+eBooksAvailableinEnglishandSpanish!Available24/7
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MARKYOURCALENDARSFORIMPORTANTDATESIN2018-2019
N.B.RegistrationformsforthesacramentsfromSt.LukeSchoolParentsareduenolaterthanAugust20.
SMREparentssubmitallregistrationformsbythefirstdayofreligionclassesonAugust12.
Sunday,September23
ParentmeetingontheguidelinesforFirstReconciliationwillbeonSeptember23inthecafeteria,from10:45-11:20a.m.Allparentsarerequiredtoattendtheorientations.
October11
“TheologyofReconciliation”willbeonThursday,October11,from7to8:00p.m.intheFather
CourtneyRoom.Parentsonly.
December15
FirstReconciliation.ChildrengotoconfessionforthefirsttimeonSaturday,December15.WestartwithaPenanceService.Arrivenolaterthan10:40a.m.Signinandenterthechurchwithyourchild.
January13
ParentmeetingontheguidelinesforFirstHolyCommunionwillbeonSunday,January13intheFatherCourtneyRoomfrom10:45-11:20a.m.Parentsonly.
February7
“TheologyoftheEucharist”willbeonThursday,February7,from7to8:00p.m.intheFatherCourtney
Room.Parentsonly.
March2
FirstHolyCommunionRetreatforchildrenandparent(s)willbeonSaturday,March2,from9:00a.m.to11:30a.m.Parent(s)andchildgatherinthechurchnolaterthan8:45a.m.
April25
FirstHolyCommunionPractices–Thursday,April25at6:15p.m.or7:15p.m.Parent(s)andchildmeet
inchurch.PracticetimedependsontheFirstCommunionMasstimeselected.
April27
FirstCommunionswillbecelebratedonSaturday,April27atthe10:00a.m.Massor1p.m.Mass.
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MiscellaneousQuestionsandCommentsRegardingSacramentalPreparation1.Whatroledoparentsplayinthesacramentalpreparationofthetheirchildren?
ParentsarethemostimportantadultCatholicsinthelifeoftheirchild.AtbaptismyoupromisedGodthatyouwouldraiseyoursonordaughterintheCatholicfaith.Concretely,thismeansthatyouwillprovidethenecessaryreligiouseducationforyourchildinthefaith.Italsomeansthatyouwillshow
yourchildthatfaithinGodissomethingrealandpracticalandpartofeverydaylife.TheexpectationisthatyouwillbringyoursonordaughtertoMasseverySundayandholydayofobligation.
2.HowoftenshouldCatholicsreceiveHolyCommunion?TheChurchencouragesthefaithfultoreceiveHolyCommunionatMass.Inotherwords,theChurch
encouragesthefaithfultoreceivetheEucharistfaithfullyandfrequently.However,receivingtheEucharistisonly“required”atleastonceayear.Ifapersonhascommittedmortalsin,heorshemustgotosacramentalconfessionbeforereceivingJesusintheEucharist.
3.DoadultsandchildrenneedtofastbeforereceivingHolyCommunion?TheChurchproscribesaone-hourfastbeforereceivingtheEucharist.Thismeanswedon’teatordrink.Nocoffee,teaorotherbeveragesshouldbeconsumed.Unlessthereisamedicalreasontodootherwise,thefastisobligatory.Notethatitisalsoinappropriatetochewgumoreatcandyinchurch.Foodanddrinkshouldneverbecasuallyconsumedinchurchatanytime!TodosowouldbetoshowdisrespecttoJesusintheTabernacle.Anexampleofanexceptionwouldbeifapersonhasamedicalconditionlikediabetesthatrequiresthepersontoconsumeasugareddrinkorpiecesofcandy.4.WhatprayersshouldIteachmychild?
MonsignorSchaedeldirectsallteachersandcatechiststodistributeCatholicprayerbooksatthebeginningoftheyearthathehasapproved.Itishighlyrecommendedthatparentshelptheirchildrenmemorizethebasicprayersfortheiragegroup.Childrenreceivingfirstreconciliationshouldmemorize
theActofContrition.Theprayerappearsatthetopofpage15.AreyouawarethatatSt.Luke,wehaveaperpetualadorationchapel?Asyouenterthefrontdoorsof
thechurch,turnright.Thefirstdoorontheright,beforetheDailyMassChapel,istheperpetualadorationchapel.TheBlessedSacramentisexposed24/7foradoration.WeencourageparentstobringtheirchildrenforbriefvisitstoadoreourLordwhenpossible.
5.WhatinformationdoIneedtosubmitbeforemychildreceivesthesacraments?
WearerequiredbytheChurchtoobtaintheBaptismalinformationbeforeachildisallowedtoreceivethesacramentsofPenanceandCommunion.Pleaseobtainacopyofyourchild’sbaptismcertificatefromthechurchinwhichheorshewasbaptized.IfyourchildwasbaptizedatSt.LukeParish,youneed
onlyprovideuswiththedateofBaptism.
146.Isthereafeeforclasses?
ThetuitionfeefortheprogramtopreparechildrenforthesacramentsintheSMREprogramis$85.Thisfeecoversthecostofthestudenttextbook,workbookandothermaterialsneededintheprogram.Pleasecheckthereligiouseducationwebsiteforonlinedonations.
St.LukeSchoolcoversthecostofmaterialsusedforsacramentalpreparation.Noadditionalfeesarerequiredforschoolparents.However,theregistrationformneedstobesubmittedwiththe
baptismalinformation!7.WhydoyoungchildrenneedtobepreparedforFirstPenancebeforeFirstEucharist?
ItisthepracticeorthenormthroughouttheChurchthatchildren,beforetheyreceivetheirFirstEucharist,firstreceivetheSacramentofPenanceorReconciliation.
TheChurchteachesthat“childrenmustgotothesacramentofPenancebeforereceivingHolyCommunionforthefirsttime”(CatechismoftheCatholicChurch,No.1457);and,“Itisprimarilytheduty
ofparents,aswellasthedutyofpastors,totakecarethatthechildrenwhohavereachedtheuseofreasonarepreparedproperlyand,aftertheyhaveasacramentalconfession,arerefreshedwiththisdivinefood”(Canon914).
8.Whatistheageofreasonandhowisthisrelatedtothesacraments?
ChildrenarepreparedforPenanceandCommunionwhentheyhavereachedtheageofreason.Infantsandsmallchildrenlacksufficientmaturitytodistinguishbetweenrightandwrongandthereforearenotconsideredresponsiblefortheiractions.“Withthecompletionoftheseventhyear,a
minorispresumedtohavetheuseofreason”(Canon97.2).Ofcourse,thisageisnotexact.Somemayarriveatthisageearlier,otherslaterornotatall,dependingonintelligenceandothercriticalfactors.
Childrenwhohavereachedtheageofreasonareabletothinkabstractlyandapplygeneralprinciplestospecificlifesituations.Childrenwhohavereachedtheageofreasonknowthedifferencebetweengood
andevil.9.WhenmaymychildwearhisorherFirstHolyCommunionoutfitagain?
WewelcometheFirstCommunicantstoweartheiroutfitsagainonSunday,April29.TheFirstHolyCommunionMassesonSaturday,April27DONOTFULFILLTHESUNDAYOBLIGATION.Therefore,pleaseplanongoingtoMassonSundaywithyourchildrendressedintheirspecialoutfits.Theywillbe
recognized!
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ACTOFCONTRITION(TOBEMEMORIZEDBEFOREFIRSTRECONCILIATION)
MyGod,Iamsorryformysinswithallmyheart.Inchoosingtodowrongandfailingtodogood,IhavesinnedagainstyouwhomIshouldloveaboveallthings.Ifirmlyintend,withyourhelp,todopenance,tosinnomore,andtoavoidwhateverleadsmetosin.OurSaviorJesusChristsufferedanddiedforus.Inhisname,myGod,havemercy.
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