ST CYRIL OF JERUSALEM CATHOLIC CHURCH



OFFICE OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION FOR

FIRST EUCHARIST

2013

Dear Parents/Guardians,

We rejoice with you as your children prepare to experience the power and grace of Jesus in the reception of the sacrament of Eucharist. Recognizing you as the first teacher of your child in the ways of faith, we offer our assistance to you as you carry out your responsibilities. May our combined efforts and example affect our children so that their hearts will be filled with God’s love.

This instructional packet contains insights, information and practical points, which will help you to understand the sacraments and the process of sacramental reception at St. Cyril’s Parish. Any questions or concerns which you may have during the period of sacramental preparation may be directed to Deacon Joe Owen, Parish Director of our Religious Education Program, 215-343-3139.

Let us join our hearts and minds together in prayer for the children who are preparing to experience a fuller and deeper relationship with Our Lord, Jesus Christ. Thank you, and God’s blessing on you and your family.

Deacon Joe Owen

Director of Religious Education

IMPORTANT CONCEPTS FOR PARENTS AS EDUCATORS

“Parents must be acknowledged as the first and foremost educators of their children. Their role is so decisive that scarcely anything can compensate for their failure in it.”

Declaration on Christian Education - Vatican II

“Parents have the right and duty to be intimately involved in preparing their children for First Communion. Catechesis aims to help parents grow in understanding and appreciation of the Eucharist and participate in catechizing their children.”

“Sharing the Light of Faith” Art. 122

National Catechetical Directory for Catholics in the U.S. – 1979

Some reflections and things to do:

1. Be aware of the fact that you teach more by what you ARE and DO than in what you say. Fundamental attitudes of faith and love will grow in your child gradually if he or she sees you face the realities of life in a faithful and loving manner. He or she will learn Christian attitudes from your values and goals and from your reaction to all that happens daily.

2. Provide some religious experience in your home. Children learn more through moods, sights, sounds and activities than by reasoning and reciting. Grace at mealtime is a good place to start. Brief periods of silence, directed by you, can open the child to sense God’s presence. Suggest that s/he “think with God.” God doesn’t use voice or words always when He speaks to us; He puts thoughts in our minds.

3. Point out through Bible stories that God comes to us through things and people and events. For one of His closest unions with us, He (Jesus) chose a meal of bred and wine. A meal is a family ceremony. It is a union of one’s table companions, with one another sharing food, warmth and company.

By receiving Communion we enter into the closest possible union with Jesus and all the members of His family. Each communion stresses this UNION - with Jesus and with the members of His Mystical Body and foretells the glorious union of the eternal banquet.

4. Have some form of family prayer - ritual - perhaps each evening. The prayers can be adapted to the ability of the children. This should be genuine; it is best to pray with them. Let them spell the name of JESUS on their pillow before tucking them in and ask Jesus to be with them as they sleep.

5. Try to make SUNDAY MASS something you do as a family and something you like to look forward to.

“IMPORTANT THEOLOGICAL CONCEPTS TO KNOW IF WE ARE TO HELP OUR CHILDREN TO UNDERSTAND”

1. Jesus instituted the HOLY EUCHARIST at the Last Supper, on Holy Thursday, the night before He died.

2. The most important point of the EUCHARIST is that the person DESIRES to receive JESUS in this special way.

3. The EUCHARIST is a GIFT to us, a GIFT from Jesus, and a GIFT of Jesus Himself.

4. The HOLY EUCHARIST is a SACRAMENT (a sign), whereby the BREAD and WINE become the BODY and BLOOD of Jesus Himself.

5. Only the priest has the power to change the BREAD and WINE, into the BODY and BLOOD of Jesus and he does this at each Mass.

6. At the Mass, the priest says, “TAKE AND EAT, FOR THIS IS MY BODY.” At that moment, the BREAD, which still looks, and tastes like BREAD, becomes the BODY OF JESUS.

7. The priest then says, “TAKE AND DRINK, FOR THIS IS MY BLOOD.” At that moment, the WINE, which still looks and tastes like wine becomes the BLOOD OF JESUS.

8. Whether we receive the BREAD ONLY, or the BREAD AND WINE, we receive the WHOLE JESUS.

9. The priest, in Jesus’ Name, then says, “DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.” By this, we mean remember that not only do we receive Jesus, but Jesus loves everyone, we take on the responsibility to LOVE EVERYONE as JESUS DOES.

When we receive Jesus, the priest will say to us, “The Body of Christ” and we answer “Amen”

(The children are being prepared to receive Eucharist in the hand or on their tongue; they have the choice; the child’s hands are raised up to receive the host. The left hand is placed on top of the right hand. When the host is placed in their hand, the right hand picks up the Host and places it on their tongue. Vice versa if they are left handed. Guide your child to wait until the Host is placed in their hand - some times anxiety takes over and they reach up to take the Host from the priest hands and this isn’t proper. As they walk away from the altar remind them to chew the Host (mouths closed).

We as a community make a suitable reverence by kneeling while praying the Lamb of God and the very powerful action of outstretched arms expresses our desire and need for what Jesus has to give to us. Another sign of respect for the Eucharist is our cleanliness - sometimes the children’s hands are dirty from play so right before they leave ask them to check their hands.)

After we receive Jesus, we should return to our place and think about Him, tell Him that we love Him, and thank Him for HIS GOODNESS to us.

As a sign of RESPECT FOR JESUS, we refrain from food or drink (except water or medicine) for ONE HOUR before Holy Communion. This is called keeping the Communion Fast. Today, some children forget and chew gum in church and this is breaking their fast for receiving Communion.

The word “EUCHARIST” means “THANKSGIVING”. Let us not forget to thank Jesus for this great gift of HIMSELF in this SACRAMENT.

Parents, remember it is by your example that your child will come to a greater appreciation of the sacraments and love of Jesus.

The following is a brief checklist for our families to use to guide them in preparing their child for First Communion.

Please review the following information with your child over the next several months as they are preparing for First Eucharist.

A. Basic facts that the child should know before receiving Holy Communion:

1) God is our loving Father

2) God wants us to love and obey Him

3) Jesus is God’s Son

4) Jesus teaches us to love and obey God

5) Jesus can do all things

6) Jesus changed bread and wine into Himself at the Last Supper

7) We receive Jesus under the form of bread in Holy Communion

8) Jesus helps us to love God and everyone better

B. Bible selections that teach of God’s love in the Eucharist:

1) Psalm 22

2) Jesus blesses the children - Mark 10: 13 - 16

3) The Good Shepherd - John 10: 11 - 18

4) Jesus feeds the people - John 6: 1 - 15

5) Jesus promises living bread - John 6: 22 - 70

6) The Last Supper - Matthew 26: 26 - 29 or Luke 22: 11 - 19

C. Some family experiences that prepare for the Eucharist:

1) Family bible reading and discussion of one of the above.

2) A joyful celebration of a birthday, holyday, or some special event centered around a meal with spontaneous prayers and songs for the occasion

3) A family project of service for someone old, sick, poor, lonely, young or helpless, e.g. visiting, running an errand, bringing a treat, sharing, etc.

4) A family outing with emphasis on discovering traces of God in nature

5) A project done together: leaf through magazines and tear out pictures that say something of God’s goodness; make a collage of these and use it in a prayer session that emphasizes God’s goodness and calls for our response of love.

D. Attitudes and values to be fostered in your child during the period of preparation:

1) An awareness of God’s goodness in ordinary events and circumstances

2) A sense of gratitude and praise

3) A desire to contribute to a happy family life

4) A concern for others within and outside the family

5) A love and reverence for the Blessed Sacrament – For Jesus present in the Eucharist-in the Tabernacle. This is most practically shown by a child’s behavior as they enter church, while in church, and as they leave church.

6) A desire to receive Jesus in Holy Communion

ST. CYRIL OF JERUSALEM:

Guidelines for the reception of the Sacrament of Eucharist

➢ Students must attend Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation with a parent or guardian.

➢ Students are required to attend class and all the practices in preparation for the reception of the sacraments.

➢ Parents are required to attend the sacramental preparation meetings.

➢ ACT 175 FORM (excusal of student form for school) MUST be signed by the parent and returned to, Deacon Joe Owen, Director of Religious Education at St. Cyril.

➢ Diocesan Policy mandates that students be enrolled and attend religious education classes for at least two years prior to the reception of a sacrament.

➢ Students who are prepared adequately will receive the sacraments as follows:

➢ Sacrament of Eucharist will be received during the second year of religious instruction.

PRACTICAL PREPARATION FOR THE SACRAMENTS

• A Baptismal Certificate is to be presented, unless you did so at the time of registration. Children who have been baptized at St. Cyril do not need to bring a baptismal certificate since this record is available to us.

• Retreat/Rehearsal dates and other pertinent information for parents and students for Eucharist are included on the Sacramental calendar sent home with your child at the beginning of the year. This information is also included in the weekly bulletin and promoted well in advance of the intended date. This information is also available on our web site . Please mark your home calendars accordingly and reserve these dates.

• Activities associated with the reception of Sacraments for your child should in our opinion be our first priority as parents. Programs sponsored by the parish community of St Cyril’s to prepare you and your child are done because of the seriousness with which we view these important steps in your child’s life. Therefore sporting events, school events, dance recitals, etc. should not interfere with appropriate preparation. Should you and your child not be able to attend a scheduled activity the Director of Religious Education should be notified as soon as possible of any conflict. Failure to attend will require that alternate plans be made for your child’s reception of Penance, Eucharist and Confirmation.

Group Eucharist:

Children sit up front as a class group. The children are arranged according to height from shortest to tallest. As a result, siblings are not always placed next to each other. Girls are seated on the Blessed Mother side of the church, boys on the St. Joseph side. Parents and immediate family will have reserved seating in the side sections of the church and will receive Communion immediately after all children. No seating will be reserved for other family members and invited guests.

Family Eucharist:

Children sit with their parents and immediate family. Seats are reserved for immediate family only, meaning, mother, father, siblings and grandparents. There will be no reserved seating for relatives, friends and other invited guests.

TIME OF ARRIVAL

Children for class Eucharist should come to the day chapel 40 minutes prior to the beginning of the ceremony. We will process into church from the day chapel.

Children and families should also arrive 40 minutes prior to the beginning of the ceremony. We will process in prior to the beginning of Mass.

PICTURE TAKING

The moment of reception is a sacred one between child and God. We ask that you do not get out of your pews to take pictures. You may take pictures after Mass in church or in the prayer garden. Frank Barbera is also available for individual pictures. The schedule will be posted in the bulletin.

ATTIRE

Our intent is to focus on the Eucharist and the meaning of the Sacrament. Our intent is not to focus on uniformity of dress. However your child and you should be dressed appropriately for the solemnity of the occasion. Please refrain from wearing t-shirts, sneakers, jeans etc. Dresses and nice shoes for the girls are appropriate. Nice shoes, slacks, shirt is appropriate for the boys.

PARENT’S CHECK LIST FOR EUCHARIST

1. ____ Child knows the importance of attending Mass and takes an active role in participating at Mass by responding to the prayers and singing at Mass. It is suggested that the children and parents sit towards the front of the church so that all can see and experience the Mass in a fuller way.

2. ____ Your child participates in religion class and is assisted by you with the study and preparation for the reception of the sacrament.

3. ____ Your child knows the basic prayers appropriate for his/her level, that is, the Sign of the Cross, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Grace before and after meals.

4. ____ Child knows about and shows reverence for prayer and worship and is quiet while in church. Child understands how to genuflect before the Blessed Sacrament and does so routinely. Child is familiar with the sacramental, Holy Water, and knows to bless him(her)self upon entrance into church.

5. ____ Child knows the format for the Sacrament of the Eucharist, that is, the procedures and options for the reception of the host during the Communion rite of the Mass. Child knows the proper way to receive the host and that appropriate prayer and meditation should follow reception. Child understands appropriate behavior while in the presence of Our Lord in the Eucharist.

CALENDAR FOR SACRAMENT PREPARATION

FIRST PENANCE/FIRST EUCHARIST

2012-2013

SEPT. 23, 2012 COMMITMENT SUNDAY @ 10:00AM Mass

At least one parent and First Communicant are required to attend.

JAN. 26, 2013 FIRST PENANCE

Celebration of sacrament in Church at 10:30AM immediately followed by a social gathering

in the social hall.

FEB. 10, 2013 INSTRUCTIONAL MASS for both parents and First Communicants at the 10:00AM. At least

one parent and communicant must attend.

MAR. 3, 2013 SACRAMENT SUNDAY 1:30-4:00PM

Afternoon of Prayer and Reflection for all parents and children receiving Penance, Eucharist and/or Confirmation. Attendance is mandatory for at least one parent and First Communicant. Please make appropriate plans to attend for the entire session.

APRIL 18, 2013 FIRST EUCHARIST RETREAT from 8:30AM to 3:00PM at St. Cyril’s

Information provided the beginning of January.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE FOR FIRST EUCHARIST

Thursday, April 25 Communicants for April 28th 6:30-8:00PM in the church

Thursday, May 2 Communicants for May 5th 6:30-8:00PM in the church

FIRST EUCHARIST CELEBRATIONS**

Sunday April 28th 12:00 Noon Mass

Sunday May 5th 12:00 Noon Mass

**You will be assigned the date for your child’s First Eucharist and notified no later than December 1, 2012.

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