Immaculate Conception Church

Immaculate Conception Church Durham, NC Handbook for First Reconciliation & First Communion 2014 15

CONTENTS Philosophy of Sacramental Preparation and Catechesis.. page 3 Preparing your child for 1 st Sacraments at Home.. page 4 Preparing a prayer space.....page 4 Prayers to Learn at Home......page 5 Schedule for lessons at home by date.....page 6 What happens in the parish community. page 8 Atrium Sessions: Direct preparation....page 8 Assemblies. page 10 Celebrations..page 11 Stewardship...page 12 Participating in parish life. page 12 Volunteer opportunities for parents.page 12 CALENDAR of EVENTS. page 14 The Parish Initiation Team page 15 Welcome parents! We are about to enter a unique moment together, a holy time. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to be our teacher and guide and remember to pray for each other. This handbook is to help you navigate the faith formation process for sacramental preparation of children in our community. The process is always changing to better meet the needs of households involved in this process. To make good changes we need your partnership. We look forward to this time with you. Page 2 of 15

Philosophy of Sacramental Preparation and Catechesis: Sharing your experience: Sharing with your child the significance of your experience of first communion and reconciliation will be both informative and inspiring. We will, however, do things at Immaculate Conception that you did not do when you were a child. Keeping an open, prayerful attitude in this process will help you and your child experience something new and deeply rewarding. We expect that you will be led by your child. What the Church teaches and the process at Immaculate Conception: It is the whole community who initiates its members by showing a way of life. There is a role for home, a role for the school and a role for the church community. The task of the first sacraments team and the faith formation office is to make a bridge between what happens at home and what happens in the larger community. Parents accompany children across that bridge. In this approach adults learn along with their children and the result is a deepening of faith for all. Diocesan Guidelines: While parents bear the primary responsibility for preparing their children, the community offers support and encouragement to families during this important time. The criteria for preparation in the Diocese of Raleigh are as follows: The child should be in second grade or above and has been baptized. The child must have been actively involved in faith formation for at least one year before sacramental preparation. The child s family must be members of Immaculate Conception Parish (the parish where the preparation occurs.) Parents or guardians of the child must participate in a parish community sponsored preparation process. If you have questions about the readiness of your child or the guidelines you are asked to call the Faith Formation Office for a family interview. The preparation process at Immaculate Conception: Here at Immaculate Conception we believe preparation for celebrating the sacraments should be an age appropriate journey of discovery where the parent and child learn together with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. To facilitate this process we offer an Orientation for parents, children s sessions, and two (2) Intergenerational Assemblies: one for Reconciliation and one for Eucharist. (See calendar for dates on page 14) Please be advised these two assemblies are not parish wide assemblies, they are designed especially for first sacraments households. Page 3 of 15

Preparing your children for 1 st Sacraments at Home Preparing to begin: Make a sacred space in your home, a place where you and your child/ren can meet together to pray and read God s Word. This could be in your child s room or near your kitchen or dining room table. You can make a simple prayer table with a low bench, or a box; or you might use a shelf that is accessible to the child. Good to decorate the prayer space with an icon, a crucifix, perhaps flowers or a plant. Agree on a time: This process works best when you and your child agree upon a set time each week to focus on sacramental preparation; but you should also aim to pause for a brief time of prayer each day. The Sacramental Preparation Family Guide will help you to know how to structure the focused time. Here are some tips to help guide the daily prayer: Pray asking for the Holy Spirit to be your teacher and guide. (You might light a candle when you pray and before you read from the Bible.) Brief Examen for the day: What is the best thing about your day today? What is the worst thing about your day today? Can we find God in these things? A minute or two of silence to get ready to listen to God s Word. A Reading from the Bible: (You might use the Lectio Living Guide you receive in the Atrium, or a reading discussed in the first Reconciliation or Communion book. The aim is to come before God with your child.) A short time for sharing what you hear, what it might mean and how you will respond. (Think of what you might do this week to reach out in service to your neighborhood. You might plan to participate with your child in some service project sponsored by the community.) Closing Prayer: (This could be a time of thanksgiving and/or petition. Close the time with one of the prayers your child is memorizing. See Prayers on page 6). Help your child use the New Testament s/he received at Orientation on a daily basis. You are helping them develop a habit of feeding on the Word of God daily just as they will be fed at table daily. Go to Mass on the Lord s Day and on other Holy Days with your child. Go to daily Mass when you can. Help your child memorize particular prayers of the Church. Catechists pray these prayers with children in the Atrium regularly, but the best teacher of prayer is YOU. The best way to do this is to pray these prayers at home as part of your household devotions. Page 4 of 15

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH your child should know: 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. Hail Mary Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. Glory Be 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. The Creed: (children 9 years and older) I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; for us men he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and His kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. Page 5 of 15

Use the workbooks for RECONCILIATION and EUCHARIST each week: You will need approximately 15 to 20 minutes each week to read and prepare your lesson. Do this BEFORE the time you and your child meet to study! The books have complete instructions. If you have questions or need help contact the Faith Formation staff! We will be happy to assist you. Schedule for using Reconciliation Books at Home 2014 Date Name of Lesson Page numbers Dec. 14 Dec 20 We Belong to God Child s Book pgs: 4 11 Family Guide pgs: 16 19 Dec. 21 Dec. 27 We Follow Jesus Child s Book pgs: 12 19 Family Guide pgs: 20 23 Dec. 28 Jan. 3 We Listen to the Holy Spirit Child s book pgs: 20 27 Family Guide pgs: 24 27 Jan 4 Jan 10 We Are Sorry Child s book pgs: 28 35 Family Guide pgs: 28 31 We Are Forgiven Child s book pgs: 36 43 Family Guide pgs: 32 35 Jan 11 Jan 17 We Are Peacemakers Child s book pgs: 45 51 Family Guide pgs: 36 39 Jan 18 Jan 24 Celebrating Reconciliation (continue to practice and review) Child s book pgs: 52 74 Page 6 of 15

Schedule for using Eucharist Books at Home 2014 Date Name of Lesson Page numbers Feb. 8 Feb. 14 We Belong Child s Book pgs: 4 13 Family Guide pgs: 12 15 Feb. 15 Feb. 21 We Gather Child s Book pgs: 14 21 Family Guide pgs: 16 19 Feb. 22 Feb. 28 We Listen Child s book pgs: 22 29 Family Guide pgs: 20 23 Mar 1 Mar 7 We Give Thanks Child s book pgs: 30 37 Family Guide pgs: 24 27 Mar 8 Mar 14 We Remember Child s book pgs: 38 45 Family Guide pgs: 28 31 Mar 15 Mar 21 We Celebrate Child s book pgs: 46 53 Family Guide pgs: 32 35 Mar 22 Mar 28 We Live Child s book pgs: 54 61 Family Guide pgs: 36 39 Mar 29 April 4 Celebrating the Mass Receiving The Eucharist Child s book pgs: 62 72 Child s book pgs: 73 Page 7 of 15

Preparing your children for 1 st Sacraments in the Parish Community: Atrium session: BE THERE! In Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) preparation for sacraments is at the heart of the whole approach from 3 years old to 12. The time just before receiving 1 st sacraments, however, is especially focused and intense. The lessons leading up to the celebrations are progressive in nature. It is very important for your child to child attend sessions each week. If your child is must be absent please contact his or her catechist to see what you might do at home to ensure the content missed is received. SCHEDULE FOR 1 ST SACRAMENTS PREPARATION IN THE ATRIUM Jan 11 Jan 17 Parable of the True Vine I: John 15: 1 11 Focus on our oneness in Christ: I am the true vine, you are the branches. Remain in me Consider Eucharist as our celebration IN the True Vine, the continuation and expansion of the life given in Baptism. Also on the need for reconciliation: Sin blocks the flow of sap in the True Vine and keeps us from receiving all of the life and love God wishes to share with us. Jan 18 Jan 24 NO SESSION for Parish Jan 25 Jan 31 Parables of Mercy: Found Coin & Found Sheep: Luke 15: 8 10 Just as every coin was precious to the woman in the parable, each of us is precious to God, who always and everywhere searches diligently for those who are lost and desires to return us to a safe place, and rejoices mightily in our return. In this context the Rite of Reconciliation will be Introduced. Jan. 30/31 1 st Reconciliation ASSEMBLIES (See page 10) Parable of the Forgiving Father: Luke 15:11 32 As the Loving Father in the parable is waiting and watching for the son to return, God always watches and waits for our return, and receives us back with great joy and love, completely restoring the dignity of our baptism and our place in the family of God. Feb 1 Feb 7 Rite of Reconciliation: God loves us and desires to give us all the sap we need in order to live fully on the True Vine and bear much fruit. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is God s gift to us, through the Church, that absolves us from our sin and restores the full flow of sap so that we can live fully in the Vine, bear much fruit and move forward on the path of the Good Shepherd who is always and everywhere willing to forgive. Feb 7: 9 AM Feb 8 Feb 14 First Reconciliation celebrated with children & families in the IC Worship Space!! Synthesis of Mass: Gestures and prayers of the Mass Gesture Epiclesis & the Last Supper Through a gesture of prayer, the priest, on our behalf, invokes the Father to send the Holy Spirit to transform the bread and wine into the real presence of Jesus, the good Shepherd. Jesus initiated this total giving of Himself at the Last Supper and commanded us to Do this in memory of me. Page 8 of 15

Feb 15 Feb 21 Feb 22 Feb 28 Mar 1 Mar 7 Mar 8 Mar 14 Mar 15 21 1 st MISSAL work begins Gesture of Offering Through a gesture of prayer, the priest, on our behalf, offers to the Father the consecrated Bread and Wine. This indicates our returning to the Father the greatest gift we have received, the Risen Christ, along with ourselves for the glory of God, the Father. NO SESSION Gesture of Preparation of Chalice A few drops of water (humanity/us) are added to the wine (divinity/god) to reveal the nature of Christ, who is true God and true Man and to make visible our inseparable union with Him. Our Father The Our Father is the fundamental Christian prayer, handed down by the Lord himself as a model for all prayer. It is a summary of the whole gospel, teaching us that God is Father to all and cares for all of our needs. It also signifies the covenant relationship, including in our response the gift of our concern for others. The prayer is an integral part of the sacraments of initiation. Breaking Bread/ Sign of Peace The Sign of Peace we share in the Eucharist extends to include all people of all times and places who gather at the altar. The gesture of Breaking of the Bread (the Fraction rite) shows us the source of the peace we share is the One, Broken Bread. 1 st Eucharist Assemblies: March 20/21 (See page 10) Mar 22 Mar 28 Centurion s Servant: Matthew 8:5 13 As the Centurion s faith makes possible the miracle of healing, we can be confident that God s gift of life, offered to us in the Eucharist will be made present by the self giving love of Christ: Jesus does not have to come, but he does! While our personal response is different for each one, the gift brings us joy, faith and humility. Mar 29 April 4 LAST SUPPER CELEBRATION April 5 April 11 NO SESSIONS EASTER!!!! April 12 April 18 April 19 25 April 26 May 2 May 2 May 3 May 9 & 10 May 10 May 12 & 13 May 17 LITURGY OF LIGHT Origin of the Eucharist At the Last Supper, Jesus expressed his desire to remain with all people of all times through the gift of Himself in the Bread and Wine. Through the words of consecration, his command: Do this in memory of me, and his entrusting his desire to the Apostles and, thus, to the Church, He can be fully present to people throughout history until he comes again at parousia. Appearances of the Risen Christ: Ascension No SUNDAY Sessions :1 st Communion Saturday and Sunday Regular sessions Tuesday, Wednesday & ICS No SUNDAY Sessions: Mother s Day & 1 st Communion FINAL sessions for Tuesday & Wednesday PARISH Sunday Closing Session: Pentecost celebration Page 9 of 15

Assemblies: Assemblies are intergenerational learning experiences offered before the celebration of 1 st Reconciliation and again before the celebration of 1 st Eucharist. You are expected to attend these assemblies with your first communion candidate. First Reconciliation Assembly: The First Reconciliation Assemblies will be offered at three times: Friday evening January 30 in Spanish from 6 pm to 8:30 pm Saturday morning January 31 in English from 9 am to 11:30 am Saturday afternoon January 31 in Spanish from 2 pm to 4:30 pm The Assembly will prepare you and your child by focusing on the Rite of Reconciliation and its four parts: examination of conscience, confession, absolution and penance. The aim of the assembly is synthesis of what has happened in the Atrium and what has happened at home over time. The assembly is an intense, 2 ½ hour process and participation of each household is required. First Eucharist Assembly: First Eucharist Assemblies will be offered at three times; Friday evening April 20 in Spanish from 6 pm to 8:30 pm Saturday morning April 21 in English from 9 am to 11:30 am Saturday afternoon April 21 in Spanish from 2 pm to 4:30 pm The Assembly will prepare your child by focusing on the Mass and all its parts. This will be an intergenerational assembly, parents and child/ren. The aim of the assembly is synthesis of what has happened in the Atrium and what has happened at home over time. This assembly is also an intense, 2 ½ hour process and participation of each household is required. Page 10 of 15

Celebrations & Rehearsals: First Reconciliation: First Reconciliation will be celebrated with the children and their parents at a special service on February 7, 2015 at 9AM in the church, or for those not ready for confession on February 22, Lent will offer another opportunity at the parish communal celebration of the sacrament. (see parish bulletin for date) Please attend the Lenten service with your child, even if he or she celebrated the sacrament in February. It is important to establish a regular practice of examination of conscience & confession. The sacrament of Reconciliation offers all of us an opportunity to experience God s reconciling love; and, in a particular way, helps prepare us for fuller participation in the great feasts of Christmas and Easter. First Eucharist: First Eucharist celebrations will take place during the Easter season on the weekends of May 2 and 3, and May 9 and 10. The whole community and the staff supports you in this celebration as promised at your child s baptism. At the orientation meetings for First Eucharist you will be asked to sign up for a Mass at which your child will celebrate along with a group of up to 20 or less children at one of the regularly scheduled weekend masses. We will also have a bi lingual mass on Saturday May 2 at 10:00 AM especially for our First Eucharist families. Please check the calendar for dates and Mass times. We strongly urge you to mark your calendar and get ready for one of these weekends. If the dates and times are impossible for your family, please arrange to speak with Mr. Rick, the coordinator of children s faith formation. Rehearsal for celebration of the sacrament will be held on Friday evening, prior to each of the first Communion weekends. Please make plans to attend the rehearsal, as your child will be much more comfortable and focused during the 1 st Communion Mass if he or she has an opportunity to know where to stand, when to move, etc. (See calendar) Procedure for First Eucharist Celebration: When to arrive: On the day your child celebrates 1 st Eucharist he or she should report to the Daily Chapel 20 minutes before Mass begins. Parents, other family members and friends will continue into the sanctuary. This time will be spent centering the child and allowing for some calmness before the Mass begins. What to wear: Boys and girls are to wear the color of baptism WHITE. o Girls wear white dresses o Boys wear white shirts and white or red ties. Any solid colored dress slacks are fine. (White jackets for boys are optional) o Absolutely NO photography will be allowed during the Mass. Opportunities for pictures are allowed after Mass. Page 11 of 15

STEWARDSHIP: Participating in parish life: When we realize that everything we enjoy, including our next breath, does not belong to us; we might be ready for serious reflection on the requirements of stewardship. Saying thank you and sharing all that we have is what Eucharist is about. It is also what stewardship is about. The implications of stewardship are so significant that it is central to our faith. It is both a way of life and a leap of faith. At Immaculate Conception, community members talk about being stewards of the environment and all it holds. We prayerfully consider tithing our time, our talent, our money. We work at this personally and communally. It extends to national policies affecting the common good. Money: We trust that every household is tithing or prayerfully working toward the leap of faith tithing requires. The materials fee you pay for your child s Atrium experience covers a small percentage of what it costs the parish to offer this program. The fee is a direct service to your family, not actually part of the tithe you offer to the parish; however, if every household in the parish tithed, we would not need fees. Time & Talent: The Sacramental Preparation Team, including your child s catechist is offering 10% or more of his/her time for the community. We hope you are already volunteering your time in some parish wide ministry. This year we ask for a particular contribution of your time for the Sacramental Preparation Process, for all the children and for the community. Volunteer Work for Parents The following is a summary of the volunteer positions for parents of children preparing for first sacraments. During the Orientation process everyone will be asked to commit to assist on at least one of the teams. We will need English AND Spanish speakers on each team!. You can also contact the Faith Formation office for other ways to serve. 1 st RECONCILIATION ASSEMBLY TEAM What? Team assists with preparation for the first reconciliation assemblies on Jan. 30 and 31. How? This team will help catechists to set up for all assemblies on Friday evening (Jan 30) from 4:00 5:30 PM. The team will also assist with hospitality at the Assembly (1/2 hour before the event and cleanup afterwards). Preparation includes preparing a light meal/snack. Food is provided by the parish. RECONCILIATION CELEBRATION TEAM What? The celebration of first Reconciliation is scheduled on a Saturday Feb. 7 at 9:00 am. Members of the team arrive by 8:00 a.m. for set up and stay after for clean up. How? The team will assist catechists to prepare the stations for confession in the Worship Space and will assist with clean up of the stations after the celebration. Page 12 of 15

FIRST EUCHARIST ASSEMBLY TEAM What? Team assists in the preparations for the first Eucharist assemblies on March 20 and 21. How? This team will help set up for assembly on Friday afternoon before the Friday Assembly (March 20 from 4:00 5:30 PM). The team will also assist with hospitality at the Assembly (1/2 hour before the event and cleanup afterwards). Preparation includes preparing a light meal/snack. Food is provided by the parish. PALANCA TEAM What? The word palanca means lever and has been associated with offering prayers and works of charity for those who are preparing for an intense moment of conversion such as 1 st Eucharist. At Immaculate Conception we have a long tradition of lifting up our 1 st Eucharist candidates in prayer for the period leading up to celebration. The entire community is encouraged to be a part of the process. The Palanca team will be responsible facilitating parish wide support for 1 st Eucharist candidates. They will encourage prayer, cards of support, and in general help the whole community to participate in the celebration. How? The team is responsible for bulletin and Mass announcements regarding this effort, and for distributing names of the candidates to parishioners with an invitation to pray, and to return a palanca note or card. The team is also responsible for preparing a bulletin board in the Gathering Space to be installed the weekend of the 1 st Eucharist Assembly. This involves taking pictures of the children in each atria who are in 1 st Eucharist preparation for display on the board. The team gathers after Easter to sort the palanca notes into banners the children will make in the 1 st Eucharist Assembly. Meetings required: This team will meet in January to plan, and as necessary one or two more times to coordinate publicity, gather palancas, and to do sorting /distribution. BANNER MAKING TEAM: What? During the 1 st Eucharist Assembly children decorate a banner with a pocket which will serve as pew markers for families on the day of 1 st Communion, and also as a container for palanca notes. How? The team is responsible for cutting and sewing the banners; and for preparing the wooden dowels and ribbon needed to hang the banners. The team will also be responsible for assisting with preparation materials for the banner making activity at the First Eucharist Assembly. Meetings required: Banner team will meet in January to receive materials and instructions. Some members of the team will meet a second time to prepare materials for the assembly. The banners will need to be ready and in the faith formation office three weeks prior to First Eucharist Assembly. Page 13 of 15

Calendars of Events: 2015 First Reconciliation Assembly (Fellowship Hall/Gym) Friday, January 30, 6:00 PM 8:30 PM (Spanish) Saturday, January 31, 9:00 AM 11:30 AM (English) Saturday, January 31, 2:00 PM 4:30 PM (Spanish) Celebration of First Reconciliation (Church) Saturday, February 7, 9am First Eucharist Assembly (Fellowship Hall/Gym) Friday, March 20, 6:00 PM 8:30 PM (Spanish) Saturday, March 21, 9:00 AM 11:30 AM (English) Saturday, March 21, 2:00 PM 4:30 PM (Spanish) Rehearsal for 1 st Eucharist (Church) Friday, May 1, 6:00 PM 7:00 PM (English Instructions) Friday, May 1, 7:00 PM 8:00 PM (Spanish Instructions) Friday, May 8, 6:00 PM 7:00 PM (English Instructions) Friday, May 8, 7:00 PM 8:00 PM (Spanish Instructions) Celebration of 1 st Eucharist at a Mass (Church) Saturday, May 2: 10:00 AM (Bilingual), 5:30 PM (English) Sunday, May 3: 7:45, 9:30, & 11:15 AM (English), 1:30 & 5:00 PM (Spanish) Saturday, May 9: 5:30 PM (English) Sunday, May 10: 7:45, 9:30, & 11:15 AM (English), 1:30 & 5:00 PM (Spanish) Last Day of CGS Sessions: Tuesday May 12 Wednesday May 13 Sunday May 17 Page 14 of 15

The Parish Initiation Team Office of Faith Formation Staff Rick Kinsey Coordinator of Children s Faith Formation 919 281 0718 kinseyr@icdurham.org Martha Ellis Bilingual Faith Formation Administration 919 281 0719 ellism@icdurham.org Lynne Worthington, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Mentor 919 281 0720 worthingtonl@icdurham.org Support Staff: Immaculata School Lynne Worthington, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Mentor 919 281 0720 worthingtonl@icdurham.org Joel Musser, ICS Catechist 919 281 0720 musserj@icdurham.org Friars and Parish Office: 919 682 3449 Chris VanHaight, OFM 919 281 0723 Bill McIntyre, OFM 919 281 0722 Charley Miller, OFM 919 281=0726 Page 15 of 15