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Reconciliation & First Holy Communion
What to expect this year
2014-2015
Name ___________________________________________
Catechist/Teacher __________________________________
Welcome parents of Faith Formation and St. Agatha School children.
This year will be a wonderful year for both you and your child(ren)as your child(ren) prepare to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation (First Penance) and Eucharist (First Holy Communion}.
This year the children will learn even more about God’s love for all of us.
Our main method of communication will be the weekly bulletin and parish website and emails when possible. Please make sure we have a family email for you, and that you let us know if it changes.
This is a brief outline of what you can expect this year.
First Penance
First Penance Parent meeting: December 4th 9:45am or 7:00 PM Gathering Space Or
First Penance Parent meeting: December 16th at 7:00 PM
*you only have to attend one of the three meetings listed above; more information will be emailed at a later date.
In early December the children have the opportunity to elect to participate in either the Reconciliation Service or the First Holy Communion Mass. They do not choose which Sacrament they will participate in, and they don’t choose what their role will be.
All roles are chosen by lot by the Faith Formation Office. If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s role you must contact the Faith Formation Office NOT their Catechist or Teacher.
The options for the children are…
1) Speaking role 2) Non-Speaking role – example: bring up the bread, the purificator, flower
for Mary etc. 3) No role- the children just want to sit back and enjoy their day
*** Due to the large number of children receiving the Sacraments. we cannot guarantee a role to all of the children, even if they request one. More information about the roles will be included in the Parent meetings.
Reconciliation (First Penance) dates: Your child(ren) will be assigned to a First Penance group according to their Catechist/Teacher – if your child is unable to attend their assigned date, you must contact the Faith Formation Office in writing.
Group # 1- January 10, 2015 at 11:00 AM
Group # 2 – January 17, 2015 at 11:00 AM
Group # 3 – January 24, 2015 at 11:00 AM
First Holy Communion Your child will be assigned to a specific First Holy Communion Group based on their Catechist/Teacher. You will be notified of the group assignment by November 1. Group assignments may be different for Penance and First Communion. ( e.g. your child may be assigned to Group 1 for Penance and Group 4 for First Communion)
Your child will then be assigned to a First Holy Communion Retreat date based on their First Holy Communion Group.
First Holy Communion Retreat
*If you are unable to attend your assigned First Holy Communion Retreat day, you must contact the Faith Formation Office in writing to change your child’s retreat date.
** The First Holy Communion Retreat is part of the First Holy Communion Process. It is expected that each child attend with at least one parent.
March 29th – 10:15 to 12:30 for First Holy Communion Group 1 & Group 2
April 12th – 10:15 to 12:30 for First Holy Communion Group 3 & Group 4
First Holy Communion Rehearsal Dates For all Groups: at 3:45pm children meet in the Chapel, and parents go to the
Upper Church.
Group # 1 April 29, 2015
Group #2 April 30. 2015
Group # 3 May 6, 2015
Group # 4 May 7, 2015
Group 5 – no rehearsal required
All children must attend their assigned First Holy Communion Rehearsal with a parent. More information will be sent at a later date via email.
First Holy Communion Group # 1 May 2, 2015 at 11am
Group #2 May 2, 2015 at 1pm
Group # 3 May 9, 2015 at 11am
Group # 4 May 9, 2015 at 1pm
Group #5 May 17, 2015 at 9am ( regular parish Family Mass)
If you need to change your child’s First Holy Communion date you must do it in writing. We are limited in the number of date changes that can be made so please do so as soon as possible.
No date changes or other requests for First Holy Communion will be accepted after April 15, 2015. Sorry no exceptions.
May Procession Our parish celebrations of First Communion concludes with the annual May Procession on Sunday, May 17, 2015 following the 9am Mass. First Communicants are the special guests and are invited to wear their Communion finery for this event. Coffee and donuts follow in the school cafeteria.
Faith Formation Office contact information Ellen Cronin – Coordinator Grades 1-5
Jennifer (Jenn) Caputo – Administrative Assistant
Faith Formation Office – (617) 696-1388
Please contact either Ellen or Jenn with any questions or concerns.
Any changes of dates or
We hope that you and your child(ren) have a wonderful and Faith filled year!
We have included both the Lords Prayer (Our Father) and The Hail Mary for you to review with your child(ren).
The Lord’s Prayer
(Our Father)
Our Father who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name;
Thy kingdom come Thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread;
And forgive us our trespasses As we forgive those who trespass against us;
And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil.
Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
