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Parent Preparation Handbook
First Reconciliation and First Communion 2019-2020
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..…………………………………………………………………………12ActofContritionandPersonalNotes…………………………………………………..13MiscellaneousQuestions/Comments………………………………………...........14-15ForgivenVideoResourceforEntireFamily.......................………………………..16 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,March7,from9:00a.m.to11:30p.m.therewillbearetreatforthechildrenpreparingforCommunion.Atleastoneparentshouldparticipatewiththeirchild.Theretreatwillbegininchurchat9:00a.m.Parentsandchildrenshouldarrivenolaterthan8:45a.m.tosigninandlearntheirgroupassignments.TheretreatconcludeswithBenedictioninchurch.DateofFirstCommunionFirstHolyCommunionswillbecelebratedonSaturday,April25.ThetwoMassesareat10:00a.m.and1:00p.m.FormstoselectaMasswillbedistributedattheEucharistOrientationmeetingonSunday,January12.Otherformsregardingparticipationofpriests,deacons,andExtraordinaryMinistersofHolyCommunionwillalsobedistributed.PhotographyEachyearwehaveprofessionalphotographersattheFirstCommunionMasses.Individualphotosandgroupphotoswillbeofferedtoparents.ThedetailsandpricingwillbeprovidedattheEucharistOrientationonSunday,January12.Parents,familymembersandfriendsshouldnottakeflashphotosduringtheCommunionMass.Noonemayleavethepewto“getashot.”OurprofessionalphotographersprovidetheirservicesduringtheMassandarerespectfuloftheliturgy.FirstCommunionBannersEachchildwillcreateabannerthatwillbedisplayedinthechurchattheFirstCommunionMasses.DirectionsonhowtodesignthebannerwillbedistributedattheEucharistOrientationmeetingonJanuary12.ThebannersshouldbecompletedandreturnedattheFirstHolyCommunionRetreatonMarch7.PracticesTherewillbetwopracticesforFirstHolyCommuniononThursday,April23.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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MARKYOURCALENDARSFORIMPORTANTDATESIN2019-2020
CalendarforSt.LukeSchoolparentsandSMREparents
Pleasenotethatparentsarerequiredtoattendthemeetingsscheduledbelowiftheywanttheirchildtocelebratethesacraments.
FormalregistrationforFirstReconciliationandCommunionisrequired.Gototheparishwebsiteforonlineregistrationathttp://www.stluke.org/sacraments.
RegistrationforSMREparentsis$85.perchild.ThereisnofeeforSt.LukeSchoolchildrensincetheirbookfeesare
coveredthroughtheirschoolcosts.
Parentsofschoolchildrenshouldhavesubmittedacopyoftheirchild’sbaptismcertificateatthetimeofenrollment.Ifnot,pleasesubmitacopyofthebaptismcertificatetoSisterDianeattheParishOfficeatthetimeof
registration.
SMREparentsarealsorequiredtosubmitcopiesoftheirchild’sbaptismcertificateatthetimeofregistration.
SMREclassesbeginonSunday,August18.Registrationisrequiredpriortothefirstdayofreligiouseducation
classes.ChildrenattendingSt.LukeSchoolshouldberegisterednolaterthanAugust30.
CalendarFirstReconciliationandFirstHolyCommunion2019-2020
Date Time Location Event
Sunday,Sept.15 10:45a.m.
Fr.CourtneyRoom Orientationforparentsonly
Thursday,Oct.3 7:00p.m. Fr.CourtneyRoom TheologyofReconciliation(Parentsonly)
11:00a.m. MainChurch FirstConfessions
Sunday,Jan.12 10:45a.m. Fr.CourtneyRoom Orientationforparents
Thursday,Feb.6 7:00p.m. Fr.CourtneyRoom TheologyoftheEucharistfor(Parentsonly)
Thursday,Apr.23 6:15or7:15p.m.
PracticesforFirstHolyCommunion
Childrenin
MainChurch
6:15p.m.practicefor10:00Mass
7:15p.m.practicefor1:00p.m.Mass
Saturday,Mar.7
Childrenandatleast
oneparent
9:00-11:30a.m.
OpeningPrayerin
MainChurch
FirstHolyCommunionRetreat
Saturday,Apr.25
FirstCommunions
ReservedseatingforparentsandFirstCommunicantonly
10:00a.m./1p.m.
Doesn’tfulfillSundayobligation
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ACTOFCONTRITION(TOBEMEMORIZEDBEFOREFIRSTRECONCILIATION)
MyGod,Iamsorryformysinswithallmyheart.Inchoosingtodowrongandfailingtodogood,IhavesinnedagainstyouwhomIshouldloveaboveallthings.Ifirmlyintend,withyourhelp,todopenance,tosinnomore,andtoavoidwhateverleadsmetosin.OurSaviorJesusChristsufferedanddiedforus.Inhisname,myGod,havemercy.
PERSONALNOTES________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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MiscellaneousQuestionsandCommentsRegardingSacramentalPreparation
1.Whatroledoparentsplayinthesacramentalpreparationofthetheirchildren?ParentsarethemostimportantadultCatholicsinthelifeoftheirchild.AtbaptismyoupromisedGodthatyouwouldraiseyoursonordaughterintheCatholicfaith.Concretely,thismeansthatyouwill
providethenecessaryreligiouseducationforyourchildinthefaith.ItalsomeansthatyouwillshowyourchildthatfaithinGodissomethingrealandpracticalandpartofeverydaylife.TheexpectationisthatyouwillbringyoursonordaughtertoMasseverySundayandholydayofobligation.
2.HowoftenshouldCatholicsreceiveHolyCommunion?
TheChurchencouragesthefaithfultoreceiveHolyCommunionatMass.Inotherwords,theChurchencouragesthefaithfultoreceivetheEucharistfaithfullyandfrequently.However,receivingtheEucharistisonly“required”atleastonceayear.Ifapersonhascommittedmortalsin,heorshemustgo
tosacramentalconfessionbeforereceivingJesusintheEucharist.
3.DoadultsandchildrenneedtofastbeforereceivingHolyCommunion?TheChurchproscribesaone-hourfastbeforereceivingtheEucharist.Thismeanswedon’teatordrink.Nocoffee,teaorotherbeveragesshouldbeconsumed.Unlessthereisamedicalreasontodootherwise,thefastisobligatory.Notethatitisalsoinappropriatetochewgumoreatcandyinchurch.Foodanddrinkshouldneverbecasuallyconsumedinchurchatanytime!TodosowouldbetoshowdisrespecttoJesusintheTabernacle.Anexampleofanexceptionwouldbeifapersonhasamedicalconditionlikediabetesthatrequiresthepersontoconsumeasugareddrinkorpiecesofcandy.4.WhatprayersshouldIteachmychild?MonsignorSchaedeldirectsallteachersandcatechiststodistributeCatholicprayerbooksatthe
beginningoftheyearthathehasapproved.Itishighlyrecommendedthatparentshelptheirchildrenmemorizethebasicprayersfortheiragegroup.ChildrenreceivingfirstreconciliationshouldmemorizetheActofContrition.Theprayerappearsatthetopofpage13.
AreyouawarethatatSt.Luke,wehaveaperpetualadorationchapel?Asyouenterthefrontdoorsofthechurch,turnright.Thefirstdoorontheright,beforetheDailyMassChapel,istheperpetual
adorationchapel.TheBlessedSacramentisexposed24/7foradoration.WeencourageparentstobringtheirchildrenforbriefvisitstoadoreourLordwhenpossible.
5.WhatinformationdoIneedtosubmitbeforemychildreceivesthesacraments?WearerequiredbytheChurchtoobtaintheBaptismalinformationbeforeachildisallowedtoreceive
thesacramentsofPenanceandCommunion.Pleaseobtainacopyofyourchild’sbaptismcertificatefromthechurchinwhichheorshewasbaptized.IfyourchildwasbaptizedatSt.LukeParish,youneedonlyprovideuswiththedateofBaptism.
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6.Isthereafeeforclasses?ThetuitionfeefortheprogramtopreparechildrenforthesacramentsintheSMREprogramis$85.Thisfeecoversthecostofthestudenttextbook,workbookandothermaterialsneededintheprogram.
Pleasecheckthereligiouseducationwebsiteforonlinedonations.St.LukeSchoolcoversthecostofmaterialsusedforsacramentalpreparation.Noadditional
feesarerequiredforschoolparents.However,theregistrationformneedstobesubmittedwiththebaptismalinformation!
7.WhydoyoungchildrenneedtobepreparedforFirstPenancebeforeFirstEucharist?ItisthepracticeorthenormthroughouttheChurchthatchildren,beforetheyreceivetheirFirst
Eucharist,firstreceivetheSacramentofPenanceorReconciliation.TheChurchteachesthat“childrenmustgotothesacramentofPenancebeforereceivingHoly
Communionforthefirsttime”(CatechismoftheCatholicChurch,No.1457);and,“Itisprimarilythedutyofparents,aswellasthedutyofpastors,totakecarethatthechildrenwhohavereachedtheuseofreasonarepreparedproperlyand,aftertheyhaveasacramentalconfession,arerefreshedwiththis
divinefood”(Canon914).
8.Whatistheageofreasonandhowisthisrelatedtothesacraments?ChildrenarepreparedforPenanceandCommunionwhentheyhavereachedtheageofreason.Infantsandsmallchildrenlacksufficientmaturitytodistinguishbetweenrightandwrongand
thereforearenotconsideredresponsiblefortheiractions.“Withthecompletionoftheseventhyear,aminorispresumedtohavetheuseofreason”(Canon97.2).Ofcourse,thisageisnotexact.Somemayarriveatthisageearlier,otherslaterornotatall,dependingonintelligenceandothercriticalfactors.
Childrenwhohavereachedtheageofreasonareabletothinkabstractlyandapplygeneralprinciplesto
specificlifesituations.Childrenwhohavereachedtheageofreasonknowthedifferencebetweengoodandevil.
9.WhenmaymychildwearhisorherFirstHolyCommunionoutfitagain?WewelcometheFirstCommunicantstoweartheiroutfitsagainonSunday,April26.TheFirstHolyCommunionMassesonSaturday,April25DONOTFULFILLTHESUNDAYOBLIGATION.Therefore,
pleaseplanongoingtoMassonSundaywithyourchildrendressedintheirspecialoutfits.Theywillberecognized!Also,thechildrenmayweartheirFirstCommunionoutfitsonSunday,June14(CorpusChristi—TheMostHolyBodyandBloodofChrist)atanyoftheMasses.Ifthereisaspecialdevotionafter
the11:30a.m.Masswithaprocession,theFirstCommunicantswillbeinvitedtoparticipate.
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Prepare for the Sacrament of RECONCILIATION with your Child and entire family!
www.STLUKE.FORMED.org Parish Code 298816
Forgiven: The Transforming Power of Confession explores the grace and healing offered in Confession and shows how this sacrament of mercy
reveals the depth and bounty of God’s love. By looking at God’s revelation of his mercy in Scripture and making a step-by-step
examination of the Rite itself, Forgiven communicates God’s invitation to each one of us to come experience His indescribable love in the
Sacrament of Reconciliation. We invite you to watch these sessions for yourself and the family!
If you do not yet have a Free FORMED account through our parish, simply REGISTER yourself! (Use parish access code 298816)
Session 1: Where are You?
Session 2: An Encounter with Mercy
Session 3: Embraced in Mercy: The Rite Explained
For CHILDREN: How to Make a Good Confession (12:35 minutes)
NEW! You can now access FORMED ON THE GO!
www.app.formed.org
FREE TO REGISTER WWW.STLUKE.FORMED.ORG