SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION 2017-2018 First Reconciliation & First Communion Packet For Students & Parents Immaculate Conception Church * Denton, TX 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Table of Contents 2 Contact Information 2 Welcome Letter 3 Checklist for Parents of Candidates 4 Eligibility Guidelines 5 Attendance Policies 5 Interviews 6 Family Service Projects 6 Prayers 7 Vocabulary 8 9 Retreat Information 10 Summer Intensive Program 10 First Communion Mass Attire 11 Photography / Video 11 Gifts 11 Family Service Project Journal Page 13 Sacramental Preparation Sign-up Sheet 15 First Communion Candidate Information Sheet 17 ELEMENTARY FORMATION OFFICE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Joana Mireles Adi Bonilla juana.mireles@iccdenton.org adi.bonilla@iccdenton.org Coordinator of Elementary Formation Elementary Formation Assistant (940) 535-7046 2
I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. John 6: 51, 56 Dear Parents, Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your child s Sacramental Preparation. Your child s journey toward receiving the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist are as important to our parish as they are to your family. The sacramental preparation process at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church consists of the following: 5 classes for Reconciliation preparation 1 Reconciliation Retreat Reconciliation Service, at which the children make their first confession 5 classes for Eucharist preparation 1 First Communion Retreat First Communion Mass Parents participate with the children in all classes and activities God gives us the sacraments to sustain and strengthen our life of faith. It is in the sacraments that we receive God s grace, which allows us to act in the will of God. For that reason, proper preparation for reception of the sacraments is important. To understand what each sacrament means will help us to participate fully in the sacrament. Please know that you can come to us with any questions that you might have. We are here to serve your family in any possible way. Your child is in my prayers as they prepare to embark on this sacramental journey. Sincerely, Joana Mireles The Eucharist is the efficacious sign and sublime cause of that communion in the divine life and that unity of the People of God by which the Church is kept in being. It is the culmination of both of God s action sanctifying the world in Christ and of the worship men offer to Christ and through him to the Father in the Holy Spirit. CCC 1325 3
CHECKLIST FOR PARENTS OF CANDIDATES Requirements for Candidate s Enrollment Must be enrolled in religious formation (parish, school or home school) Must be enrolled in Sacramental Preparation (school year or summer) Turn in before Meeting is Over o Sacramental Prep. Enrollment Form o First Communion Information Sheet Turn in before October 6, 2017 (Parish office closes at 3pm) o Copy of Baptismal Certificate Requirements to be completed by the Candidate and their Parents Attend Sacramental Preparation Classes (total of 10 classes) Attend Reconciliation Retreat (Fall) Attend First Communion Retreat (Spring) Complete at least one family service project Reception of Sacrament Attend Reconciliation Service December 2, 2017 o Arrive at 8:45am in the Narthex First Communion Mass Sign-up: You will sign-up for your Child s First Communion Mass during the First Communion Retreat in the Spring on April 20, 2018. o Saturday, May 12 at 4pm o Sunday, May 20 at 8am o Sunday, May 20 at 10am 4
ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES Requirements and norms for First Reconciliation and Eucharist Candidates: Candidate is baptized in the Catholic Church. Candidate demonstrates a desire to celebrate the sacrament and has reached a level of moral development. Candidate must have reached age of discretion, 7-8 years of age, at least in second grade and attending their second continuous year of formation. Candidate must be prepared for and encouraged to participate in the sacrament of Reconciliation as well as knows how to celebrate the Rite of Reconciliation (being able to follow the procedure) Candidate is participating in the Sunday Eucharistic liturgy (Mass) on a weekly basis. Candidate knows how to receive communion. Parent Requirements and Norms: Parent must attend MANDATORY SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION meeting. Parents not only have the right but also the responsibility to be intimately involved in preparing their children for their First Communion. Therefore, they should participate in the adult catechesis/ parent classes for each sacrament, Reconciliation and Eucharist. Parents should not miss any classes. If there is a problem with scheduling, please try to make up class. There are other class times available, but you need to contact Joana or Adi for more information and confirmation. Parents should be ACTIVE Catholic Adults who are willing to support the minor s faith journey. Attend both the Reconciliation and First Communion Retreat with their child. ATTENDANCE POLICIES The candidate must be attending their religious formation classes (Sunday mornings, Wednesday evenings, Home school, ICCS) and should not have more than three (3) absences. Excessive number of absences will delay the readiness for reception of sacraments. Students and parents should not miss any of the Sacramental Preparation Classes. If an emergency comes up, please contact Joana or Adi as soon as possible to reschedule your missed class. 5
INTERVIEWS All students will be interviewed and asked to say their prayers as well as answer the following questions: What does Reconciliation mean to you? What does Eucharist mean to you? Why do you want to do your First Communion? In the case that a Catechist brings to the Coordinator s attention a lack of desire from the candidate an interview with both the Candidate and the Parent will be necessary. This includes but is not limited to the following: Does not participate in class o Excessive absences o Excessive tardiness o Does not turn in homework Does not participate in prayer does not recite prayers Parent involvement is very important. Please spend time with your child praying and going over their lesson from class. FAMILY SERVICE PROJECTS The fruit of sacramental life is both personal and ecclesial it is an increase in charity and in her mission of witness. CCC 1134. These family projects are designed to help the children grow in awareness and appreciation of our Parish. There will be five service projects that you can choose from to sign-up for as a family. A minimum of 25 people should sign up in order for the event to take place. You will be able to sign-up for the event at the Parent Meeting or by contacting Joana at the parish office. Event Date and Description: o Sunday, September 24, 2017 Parish Picnic (Game Booths) o Friday, October 13, 2017 from 6pm 9pm Cleaning Church o Friday, December 15, 2017 from 6pm 9pm Cleaning Church o Friday, January 19, 2018 from 6pm 9pm Cleaning Church If you already participate in a ministry as a family, you may submit that as your family service project. On page 13 of this packet you will find the Family Service Project Journal Page with instructions. 6
PRAYERS Prayer should become a part of your daily life as a family. Your child needs to know the following prayers before their First Confession. Sign of the Cross In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN Glory Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, World without end. AMEN 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. AMEN Act of Contrition My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy. Hail Mary Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. AMEN. 10 Commandments 1. I am the Lord your God; you shall not have strange gods before me. 2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. 3. Remember to keep holy the Lord s Day. 4. Honor your father and your mother. 5. You shall not kill. 6. You shall not commit adultery. 7. You shall not steal. 8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 9. You shall not covet your neighbor s wife. 10. You shall not covet your neighbor s goods. 7 Sacraments Baptism Confirmation Eucharist Reconciliation Anointing of the Sick Marriage Holy Orders 7
GLOSSARY OF COMMON TERMS The following terms will be sent home for the candidates to learn. A set of vocabulary words will be assigned according to the lesson. Please help your children become familiar with these terms. Absolution To receive forgiveness through the words of the priest Altar Table in the church on which the priest celebrates Mass Baptism Sacrament that welcomes us into the church and makes us children of God Blessing Prayer that calls for God s power and care Chalice Cup used for the consecration of wine during Mass Confess To admit to having done something wrong Confirmation Sacrament that strengthens our faith Conscience Inner voice that guides us Consecration Part of the Eucharistic Prayers when bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ Creed Summary of what we believe Eucharist Sacrament in which we receive the Body and Blood of Christ Eucharistic Prayer Part of the Mass in which Jesus sacrifice is made present again Examination of Conscience Thinking about what we have done or failed to do Forgiveness To receive God s gift that repairs our relationship with him Gospel Good news of God s love given to us by Jesus Grace God s gift that helps us be friends with him and with others Homily Explanation of God s Word Host Unleavened bread used at Mass Last Supper Last meal Jesus ate with his disciples before he died 8
Lector Person at Mass who proclaims the Word of God in the first two readings Mercy Kindness and forgiveness that God offers us and that we offer to one another Moral Choice Choice to do what is right Mortal Sin A serious decision to turn away from God New Testament Second half of the Bible (27 books) Old Testament First half of the Bible (46 books) Original Sin Sin that people since Adam and Eve are born with Penance Prayer or good deed that shows we are sorry Psalm Prayer in form of a poem Reconcile To bring together again Reconciliation Sacrament in which we are forgiven for our sins Sacraments of Initiation The three sacraments that make us full members of the Church (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist) Sacred Scripture Holy writings collected in the Old and New Testaments Sacrifice Unconditional gift given to God to give him thanks Savior Jesus, the son of God Sin A willful act that hurts our relationship with God Temptation A thought or feeling that can lead us to make a wrong choice Trinity God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit Venial Sin Less serious sin that weakens our relationship with God 9
RETREAT INFORMATION Candidate and parents are required to attend both the Reconciliation Retreat and First Communion Retreat. The retreats will take place in the School s gym. The retreats will last three (3) hours. Reconciliation Retreat: November 11, 2017 from 9am-12pm First Communion Retreat: April 20, 2018 from 9am-12pm The retreats are designed as workshops, in which the parent and child will go from one activity to another. We ask that you please make sure that your child eats before arriving to the retreat. Nursery will be provided for families who sign-up for this service. We need at least 5 children to sign-up for the nursery in order for this to be available. You will be able to sign-up for Nursery in the parent classes. SUMMER INTENSIVE PROGRAM For families who wish to do so, you will have the opportunity to sign-up for a two week summer intensive class. The class will meet Monday through Friday, from 6:00pm-8:00pm. The material will be covered at a faster pace, since children will have one night to review before the next class. Parents must also attend these classes with their child, no exceptions. When deciding whether this option is better for your family or not, please consider work schedules, perfect attendance is mandatory, since there will be very little time to prepare your child for the sacraments that they are requesting to receive. Those interested in this option should keep in mind that it will be offered in the month of June. 10
FIRST COMMUNION MASS ATTIRE Candidate should be dressed in their Best Sunday Clothes. It is not required that they dress all in white, but if you wish for them to do so they may. Boys please wear nice slacks, button down shirt and tie. Girls may wear a Sunday dress, please make sure that the dress is modest. This means that the length is not extremely short and that it is not revealing. If the dress has thin strands (spaghetti straps) we ask that the girl wear a shawl or bolero jacket. Jeans will not be allowed! PHOTOGRAPHY / VIDEO Pictures are not permitted to be taken during Mass. Please inform the rest of your family and friends who will be joining your child on this special day. You may take pictures before Mass and after Mass (time permitting). The Ushers and other servers will kindly tell people to put up their cameras if they see that they have taken them out (this includes Phones and Video Cameras). We will gather the children to take a group picture after Mass. You will be able to take pictures of your child with the Presiding Priest. We ask that you assign one family member or friend to take your child s picture at that time. GIFTS Children are not required to bring a Bible, Rosary or prayer book with them on the day of their First Communion. If you wish to give these items to your child we ask that you hold onto them during Mass. We will ask the Deacon to bless these items for you after Mass while the children take their group picture. A candle is not used during the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The only time that a candle is needed is during the Sacrament of Baptism, in which the baptized receive the light of Christ from the Easter candle, symbolizing that they have been enlightened by Christ. 11
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Family Service Project Journal Page Please turn this form in to Joana or Adi no later than February 9, 2018. Child s Full name: Completion Date: Activity: Location of project: Description of service project: Parents please help your child answer the following questions: If Christ saw what you did today he would say Something I learned about serving others was How was I changed by doing this or how were the people you helped changed: 13