PREPARE YOUR CHILD FOR FIRST COMMUNION The time allowed for Communion preparation is much shorter than that for Reconciliation for a few reasons. The most important is that, since your child was baptized, you have been actively preparing him or her for first Communion every Sunday when you attend Mass. Attending Mass should be a very comfortable experience for your child at this point and through the many conversations, short and long, which have resulted, you have catechized your child far better than we could ever do. Secondly, apart from learning the mechanics of receiving communion, children really know everything they need to know to receive that in some mysterious way the Bread we receive is Jesus. A clear understanding of the parts of the Mass, and the ability to be completely attentive throughout are not requirements or there would be no one in the communion line! You will be providing the most important preparation: praying with them familiarizing them with Bible stories encouraging discussions of religious topics, particularly what happened at Mass. making Sunday Mass a priority encouraging and assisting in full participation at Mass Our classroom preparation includes the following: Jesus Feeds People Multiplication of the loaves and fishes Jesus promise of the Bread of Life Passover and the Last Supper Mass as sacrifice Jesus Invites Us We Listen to God and Pray Roles of people at Mass ministers, priests Introductory Rites Entrance, sign of the cross, greeting, penitential rite, etc. Liturgy of the Word readings, Psalm response, Alleluia, Gospel The Creed Intercessions Jesus Offers Himself Bread and wine Offering ourselves The Eucharistic Prayer Communion Communion Rite, Our Father, Sign of Peace, reception of Communion Roman soldier who said he was unworthy Prayer after communion Before a child can formally become a candidate for first Communion we must have a copy of the child s Baptismal certificate.
INDIVIDUAL FIRST COMMUNIONS First communions may occur individually at any regularly scheduled Mass with a few exceptions (see Scheduling below). Because the preparation will conclude at the end of April, it is hoped that first communions will be have taken place by mid-june, or children may get the idea that matters related to schedules and guests are more important than actually receiving Jesus. Scheduling: Individual first communions should be scheduled through Annie in the Catholic Formation Office: akitching@elcatholics.org In order to keep focus on the MSU community, first communions at St. John Church should be scheduled for after graduation weekend (this year May 8) Individual first communions at St. Thomas Aquinas can occur anytime after the Solemn First Communion celebration. Individual first communions cannot occur at any Mass where some other special event or Sacrament is scheduled (such as baptisms or an RCIA Rite). Individual first communions are typically limited to three children at any one Mass. Options: There are a number of options available so that the celebration will be, as much as possible, exactly what you and your child hope for. Children should receive their first communion from a priest. There are two options for this. Children may come up on the sanctuary step and receive prior to the rest of the assembly, with the rest of the assembly watching, or they may receive at the beginning of the regular communion line, directly followed by their family members. In either case they will receive only the Sacred Body from the priest, and will come down into the nave to receive the Precious Blood, if they choose to do so. Other options include: The child or family bringing up the gifts. The child being introduced to the community by name. Purchase of a video or DVD of the Mass. (At the 4:30 p.m. Mass at STA) Traditional first communion clothing, ethnic dress, or regular church clothes. You are also welcome to keep this celebration as low-key as you wish. Please just let us know when it is going to occur, and plan on sitting where the child will receive from a priest. Please do not take photographs during Mass. The celebrant will be happy to pose with the child and/or family following Mass.
FIRST COMMUNION First Communion Celebrations will be offered at the following Masses; you will select the one that works best for your family: o Saturday May 6, at 4:30 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas o Saturday, May 13, at 4:30 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas o Sunday, May 14 (Mother s Day), at noon at St. John Student Center Children will sit with their immediate families in the front rows of the church. Sometime in April we will ask you to select the Mass your family will attend, and we will assign you a pew that will accommodate you. Children will be walking in the Opening Procession, although this will not be a choreographed event. After your family settles in your assigned pew, the children will be called to join the priests in the back of the church. After our pastor shepherds these little lambs down the aisle, they will join you again for the remainder of the Mass. Family members are invited to participate in special ways in the liturgy. Trained and currently active lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist and altar servers are needed. Relatives who are deacons or priests are warmly welcomed to take part. Please contact Denise Waytes if you or family members wish to serve in any of these ways. denise@elcatholics.org MASS OF EXPLANATION Eucharist candidates and their families are invited to attend a Mass of Explanation which Fr. Mike will celebrate on Sunday, March 26, from 4:45 pm - 5:45 pm RETREATS/REHEARSAL A retreat is planned to lead up to the children s reception of Communion. Children and parents should plan to attend unless circumstances absolutely prevent it. During this event you will visit several stations where you will make bread, work on a keepsake craft project, make a marker for your family s pew, and practice the first communion music. Children will have the opportunity to practice receiving Communion in the way that they will do it at their first Communion Mass. Two identical retreat opportunities are being offered: Sunday, April 23, 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm, or Monday, April 24, 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
The Mechanics of Receiving Communion The priest or Eucharistic minister says, Body of Christ. The communicant responds by bowing from the shoulders and saying Amen. This must be said loudly enough for the priest or Eucharistic minister to hear. HOW TO RECEIVE By hand: By mouth: Accidents: The Cup: NEVER: One hand goes under the other hand. The hand on top is cupped slightly to receive the Host. After receiving the Host, step to the side. Use the underneath hand to immediately take the Host and put it into your mouth. Start eating immediately. Tip your head up slightly; open your mouth and extend the tongue slightly so the Host can be placed upon it. Step to the side and eat. If the Host drops, pick it up immediately and place it in your mouth. If the priest or Eucharistic minister accidentally gives you more than one Host, eat them. You may on occasion receive only a partial Host.do not let this worry you. Jesus is completely present in even the smallest morsel of the Host. The priest or Eucharistic minister will say, Blood of Christ. The communicant responds by bowing from the shoulders and saying Amen. It is important to say this loudly enough to be heard. Take the cup in both hands and sip the wine. Never receive the Host with dirty hands. (If you find yourself at Mass with dirty or stained hands, receive on the tongue.) Never grab at the Host; a gift is to be received not grasped at. Never remove the Host from your mouth for any reason. Never receive the Host with gum in your mouth. Never open your mouth to display the Host. ALWAYS: Always eat the Host immediately upon receiving it. Always step close to the priest or Eucharistic minister. Always raise your hands to receive the Host so that the priest or Eucharistic minister does not have to bend over. Always make it clear that you are raising your hands to receive the Host or that you are opening your mouth to receive the Host. Do not raise your hands and open your mouth! REQUIREMENTS FOR WORTHY RECEPTION OF HOLY COMMUNION 1. A strong desire to receive Christ. Tell your child that routine reception is not what Jesus wants of us, but he wants us to desire to receive Him. 2. Fasting from all food (including chewing gum and drink) for one hour before receiving communion. One may drink water and take medicine. 3. Freedom from all mortal sin. If we have mortal (or serious) sin on our conscience we must go to confession and receive absolution before receiving Christ in the Eucharist
For Girls SUGGESTED ATTIRE For Boys White Dress (Any length from slightly above the knee to full length is fine. A shawl or sweater must be worn over a sleeveless dress or spaghetti straps.) Veil or Hair Decoration Dress Shoes and socks/stockings Dress Shirt (white) Dress Slacks (any color) Tie (if appropriate with shirt) Dress Shoes and socks Jacket, vest or sweater (optional) OR: As a way to celebrate and enjoy the wonderful diversity in our parish we encourage children from other countries to wear their national dress rather than the clothing described above. White shirts are dresses are a reflection and reminder of the Baptismal garment. It is much better if girls do not wear gloves.. Gloves make it difficult to use the hymnals. If girls do wear gloves, they should either remove them before receiving Communion, or receive the Host on the tongue, and not receive from the Cup. A number of lovely (some brand new) dresses and suits are available for loan from the Catholic Formation Office. Please feel free to bring your child to try them on if you would like to save yourselves the extra expense. Just make an appointment with Annie.
The Most Holy Eucharist in Canon Law Can. 897 The Most Holy Eucharist is the most august sacrament, in which Christ the Lord himself is contained, offered, and received, and by which the Church constantly lives and grows. The Eucharistic Sacrifice, the memorial of the death and resurrection of the Lord, in which the sacrifice of the cross is perpetuated over the centuries, is the summit and the source of all Christian worship and life; it signifies and effects the unity of the people of God and achieves the building up of the Body of Christ. The other sacraments and all the ecclesiastical works of the apostolate are closely related to the Holy Eucharist and are directed toward it. Can. 898 The faithful are to hold the Eucharist in highest honor, taking part in the celebration of the Most August Sacrifice, receiving the sacrament devoutly and frequently, and worshipping it with supreme adoration. Can. 912 For the administration of the Most Holy Eucharist to children, it is required that they have sufficient knowledge and careful preparation so as to understand the mystery of Christ according to their capacity, and can receive the Body of the Lord with faith and devotion. From the Catechism of the Catholic Church The inexhaustible richness of this sacrament is expressed in the different names we give it. Each name evokes certain aspects of it. It is called: Eucharist, because it is an action of thanksgiving to God. The Lord s Supper because of its connection with the supper which the Lord took with his disciples on the eve of His Passion The Breaking of Bread because Jesus used this rite when as master of the table he blessed and distributed the bread The memorial of the Lord s Passion and Resurrection The Holy Sacrifice, because it makes present the one sacrifice of Christ the Savior The Holy and Divine Liturgy because the Church s whole liturgy finds its center and most intense expression in the celebration of this sacrament We speak of the Most Blessed Sacrament because it is the Sacrament of sacraments Holy Communion because by this sacrament we unite ourselves to Christ who makes us sharers in his Body and Blood to form a single body the bread of angels, bread from heaven, medicine of immortality, viaticum Holy Mass, because the liturgy in which the mystery of salvation is accomplished concludes with the sending forth (missio) of the faithful, so that they may fulfill God s will in their daily lives.
Edited from paragraphs 1328 1332 THE LORD S SUPPER IN SCRIPTURE For your information, here are all the accounts of the Lord s supper which appear in Sacred Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. Matthew 26:26-28 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Mark 14:22-24 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many," he said to them. Luke 22:14-20 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God." After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
John 6:40-50 For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." At this the Jews began to grumble about him because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven." They said, "Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, `I came down from heaven'?" "Stop grumbling among yourselves," Jesus answered. "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the Prophets: `They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father. I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. I am the bread of life. Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. Tantum Ergo is the last two stanzas from the Eucharistic Hymn (Pange Lingua) composed by St. Thomas Aquinas and is used at Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. TANTUM ergo Sacramentum Veneremur cernui: Et antiquum documentum Novo cedat ritui: Praestet fides supplementum Sensuum defectui. Genitori, Genitoque Laus et iubilatio, Salus, honor, virtus quoque Sit et benedictio: Procedenti ab utroque Compar sit laudatio. DOWN in adoration falling, Lo! the sacred Host we hail, Lo! oe'r ancient forms departing Newer rites of grace prevail; Faith for all defects supplying, Where the feeble senses fail. To the everlasting Father, And the Son Who reigns on high With the Holy Spirit proceeding Forth from each eternally, Be salvation, honor blessing, Might and endless majesty. Amen.
PHOTOGRAPHS To maintain the dignity of the celebration, photographs may be taken only before Mass begins or after Mass is concluded. NO EXCEPTIONS. At St. Thomas Aquinas - Immediately following the Masses parents may have a professional photograph made of their child in front of the Chapel altar with the celebrants. You will be able to purchase a number of different photo packages at reasonable prices. Do not let cost be an issue the parish will provide photos free of charge for anyone who requests it. The 4:30 Masses at STA will also be videotaped by our professional Outreach Mass. Parents may order a professional quality DVD for a nominal price. Watch the emails coming home for an order form for the photograph and DVD. Please order promptly once you receive the form. At St. John Student Center - the celebrant(s) will be glad to stay after Mass for photos. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIRST EUCHARIST REGISTRATION Child s full name Child s name as you would like it to appear in the bulletin Mother s full name First Maiden Last Father s full name City where the child presently resides Date of birth Date of baptism Age on May 6, 2017 City & State of birth We attend Mass at: STA SJSC Other (name) Parent email(s) for parish communication: My child was baptized at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish My child was baptized at St. John Church My child was not baptized in East Lansing. (Note: If your child was not baptized at STA or SJ we will need a copy of your child s baptismal certificate in addition to this form before your child is officially a candidate for the Sacrament. A photocopy, FAX or emailed photo of it, will all be fine.)