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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

dcarollo@stluke.org

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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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