Welcome to the Sacraments of Initiation Programme for Children 2017, - Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion!

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1 1 December 10, 2016 Welcome to the Sacraments of Initiation Programme for Children 2017, - Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion! Our Program is open to children Grade 2 or older who have been baptised Catholic. The registration form and a copy of their baptismal certificate is required. The registration form is attached to this letter, it is also available from our website, and/or from the parish or school office. We invite children from the Catholic Elementary Schools cooperating with St. Mary s Parish to the program: Jean Vanier, Holy Cross, St. Peter and children who attend St. Mary s church but are from other schools in our parish. Please note that the latter children need to attend the same after-school activities with other children. Please check for the schedule of events at the end of this letter. On the day of Baptism parents and godparents made a promise to bring the child up in the Catholic Faith. The reception of the Eucharist - the First Holy Communion is an important step on this journey of faith. After Baptism the Eucharist is considered as the second Sacrament of Initiation with the Confirmation to follow. If your child is not baptised we can arrange for this, you need to contact our church office. You can find some information on our website: There is no better way to prepare your child for the First Holy Communion than bringing him/her to church for Sunday Eucharist. Sunday Mass is an obligation for every Catholic and it is the best way to introduce your child to this most sacred of all our faith celebrations. We have 3 Sunday Masses at our church with one on Saturday Evening and two on Sunday morning. The full schedule and some current updates are also on our website: Every Sunday we have special Liturgy for children during the 11am Mass. The children walk out of the church for the first part of the mass, the readings and homily. During that time our catechists who are qualified school teachers explain to children some parts of the liturgy. The

2 2 preparation for the First Holy Communion will be the focus of the Children s Liturgy starting after the Christmas school break. We encourage you to give your child an opportunity to participate in those liturgies. The 11am mass is popular among families with children. There will be a meeting for the parents and guardians of our First Holy Communion candidates on Tuesday January 24, 2017 at 7:30 pm in the church. The meeting will follow the usual evening mass that starts at 7:00 pm. There will be time for questions and answers. We also expect you to submit at that meeting, or soon after, the registration form. You can find the registration form at the end of this letter. Father Luke will be visiting children at schools with some important topics like preparing for their first confession and explaining the real presence of Christ in the Holy Communion. Children are asked to prepare an art project for the Enrolment Sunday, April 22/ The art works should depict how the child sees Jesus giving them bread Holy Communion. You are asked to attend any of the Sunday masses that weekend. The children will be officially presented as the First Communion Candidates to the Parish Community and will give their art work to Father as part of the mass. The art work presented by the children at mass will be displayed in the church. The First Confession is scheduled on Tuesday, April 25 at 7:00 pm. There will be Holy Mass first and you are invited to it, then there will be a possibility to bless all statues, prayer books, crosses, necklaces, rosaries and other religious articles you would like to present your child on their First Holy Communion Day. Then there will be a prayer time and celebration of confession for children and their families who would like to make their confession. We will meet for the final rehearsal on Friday, May 5 at 10:00 am at the church. Students will be bussed to the church from Jean Vanier, Holy Cross and St. Peter. A permission form will be sent home. We ask children who are not from our schools to be present also. The parents of these children will need to provide their own transportation. Traditionally girls wear a white dress for the First Communion Mass, which is a symbol of purity and a reminder of their Baptism. However we do not require a white dress or a veil. We accept other colours of the dress, and also flowers, ribbons or a tiara instead of the veil, or nothing on the head. In regard to boys outfit we do not require you to purchase a suit, but boys are free to wear it. Make your boy look elegant. Try to dress him in a shirt with a collar. A tie is good, but not required. Dress pants, or nice Dockers are fine. No specific colour of pant, shirt or tie is required

3 3 however usual colour is white for shirt and black for pants. If your child doesn t have dress shoes that is ok but then let them wear the best shoes they have. On the day of First Communion Sunday, May 7, 2017 we expect you to arrive at 1:15 pm at St. Mary s Parish hall for group photographs. There will be no food in the hall available except refreshing drinks. Your children will process from the parish hall to the church. We ask the families to take seats in the church prior to the beginning of the liturgy. There will be a designated photographer who will take a group picture for each school, and the children from other schools will be grouped together. The photographer will take individual pictures in the church as well during the ceremony. You can choose to order those pictures later, we will provide information. You are welcome to take your individual pictures in the parish hall before the mass and after the Mass in the church. However, we strongly ask you not to use any digital device (camera, cell phone) during the Mass. We have to respect the sacredness of this moment. There will be monetary collection taken during the Mass as it is usually done on Sunday. We will appreciate greatly your gift for our church. Children will bring this collection in the offertory procession to the altar. Children will be seated in the first pews reserved for them. We ask the families to take the pews behind them. The Holy Communion children will step out of the pew, one pew after another. We ask that the parents or guardians to stand behind their child and receive Communion together, first the child, then the parents. There will be an MC who will guide children and families. If for some reason you cannot receive communion, please ask for the blessing, crossing your hands over your chest. Looking forward to meeting you at our masses and preparation events. God Bless you, Fr. Luke Kopaniak St. Mary s Pastor

4 4 Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion Events Schedule 2017 Meeting for Parents and Guardians Tuesday January 24th at 7:30pm at the church Enrolment Sunday Weekend April 22/23 at any mass * Bring the art work with you for display in church First Confessions, Blessing of religious gifts for First Communion Tuesday April 25th at 7pm Holy Mass, Confessions Rehearsal Friday May 5 th at 10am Bussing provided from Jean Vanier, Holy Cross and St. Peter. Children not from these schools need to arrange transportation First Holy Communion Mass Sunday May 7th at 2pm Please arrive at 1:15pm at the parish hall Church is open at 1pm

5 5 First Holy Communion Registration Form Student s Name.. Student s Name.. Home Street Address.. City.. Postal Code.. Home Phone Number Father s Name.. Mother s Given and Maiden Name... School s Name.. Teacher s Name.. Baptism s Date.. Religious Rite of Baptism.. Church of Baptism Name.. Town/City Province.. If your child was baptised in other church than St. Mary s Catholic Church in Brantford and a copy of the certificate is not stored in our schools files then please submit a copy of the baptismal certificate with this application form! I wish my child to be admitted to the program of preparation for the Sacraments of First Confession and First Holy Communion. Signature of Parent/Guardian.. Date.. Please return this form to the school or the church office!