Second Grade & Older Sacrament

SPRING 2018 FIRST EUCHARIST CALENDAR & INFORMATION PARENT PACKET Second Grade & Older Sacrament Children s Ministry St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Plano, Texas 972-596-5505 Denise Gilbert dgilbert@eseton.org

EUCHARIST PREPARATION CALENDAR February 20 - Tuesday Walk Thru the Mass & Church Tour 6:00 PM 8:00 PM * MANDATORY Presentation by Priest 6:30 PM 7:30 PM *Self-guided tour of the church 30 min. before and after the presentation March 24 - Saturday Eucharist Workshop for Parent and Child MANDATORY 9:00 AM -11:00 AM All Sunday 8:30AM & 10:15AM 2 nd grade and Older Sacrament groups 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM All Wednesday 4:30 PM & 6:00PM 2 nd grade groups Sunday 10:15AM RCIC group Please come to your assigned session time. We plan the numbers for the best experience for the children. April 5- Thursday Deadline for: Individual Picture orders Children s Ministry at 972-596-5505 or email at mparisee@eston.org to arrange appointment. You will receive a return e-mail confirmation with your appointment time. April 7 - Saturday Individual Eucharist Photos 9:00 AM 11:30 AM FIRST EUCHARIST LITURGIES MANDATORY PRACTICES Saturday, April 21, 10:30am Sunday 10:15 AM 2 nd grade groups Practice Friday - April 20 Sunday 10:15 AM RCIC group 4:00pm-5:30pm Sunday 8:30 AM Older Sacrament group Saturday, April 21, 2:00pm Sunday 8:30 AM 2 nd grade groups Practice Friday April 20 Wednesday 4:30 PM 2 nd grade groups 6:00pm-7:30pm Wednesday 6:00 PM 2 nd grade group Every child needs to attend the practice, so warn coaches, etc. know that your child must be here at the church for this practice. If your child is chosen for a special part in the liturgy, he/she must be at the practice and must be on time, or the part will be given to another child. Children MUST arrive 1 hour before Mass on the day of the First Eucharist so that they can be in the class photo and that we ensure everyone is here before we line them up for the procession.

Eucharist Workshop For Saturday Parent - March and 19, Child 2016 Saturday, March 24, 2018 Seton Faith Formation Center 3100 W. Spring Creek Pkwy Your and your child s participation in this workshop is essential to his/her preparation for this Sacrament. You are assigned to the session according to the day/time that he/she attends class. If you cannot attend at your assigned time, please come to the other listed time. You do not need to notify the Children s Ministry Office, but be aware that the schedule is made to assure that each session is not overcrowded. Assigned Times For Workshop 9:00 AM -11:00 AM All Sunday 8:30AM & 10:15AM 2 nd gr. Groups And Sunday 8:30AM Older Sacrament group 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM All Wednesday 4:30PM & 6:00PM 2 nd gr. groups Sunday 10:15AM RCIC group Please come to the session time to which you are assigned. We plan our numbers so that the children have the best experience possible. Please arrive with your child ten minutes before your session is to begin so that you can register and verify the spelling of the Eucharist child s name, so that it will be entered correctly into the Church Registry and on the Certificate. It is important that we start promptly at the scheduled time. The workshop consists of three 40 minute activities. We will have three parent/child groups moving at each 40 minute set. There will be opportunity at one of the sets for questions and information concerning First Eucharist. Thank you.

EUCHARIST 2018 SECOND GRADE & OLDER SACRAMENT CURRICULUM Student text: Call to Celebrate EUCHARIST (Our Sunday Visitor) Order of the Mass - Student text, pp. 88 99 Children may bring this to church to use during the Mass on Sunday Catholic Source Book (Words of Faith) Student Text, pp. 82 87 This is an excellent source, a mini Catholic Dictionary, so to speak. Catholic Prayers - Student Text 102-105 The Lord s Prayer, Hail Mary, Apostles Creed Faith at Home The last page of each chapter in the student text is titled, Faith at Home. There are four sections to the page: Faith Focus, Ritual Focus: sharing a meal, Family Prayer and ACT: Share together & Do together. Try to take the time to share the lesson as a family using this part of the program. Receiving Communion See pp. 100-101 in student text The norms for reception of the Holy Eucharist at the Mass are explained in the text. Following is a brief outline of those rules: 1. Approach the Priest or EM reverently with hands folded. When you reach him/her, Stop, Bow your head slightly Extend your hands (If you are right handed left hand up and right hand under the left.) Receive host in top hand. Step to the side. Pick up host with right hand and place in your mouth. (you may chew the host) If you wish to receive the host on the tongue: do as explained above, but instead of extending your hands after bowing your head tilt your head back slightly, open our mouth and stick out your tongue so that the priest may place the host on your tongue. 2. Step to the EM holding the wine, Stop, Bow your head slightly Take the cup in both hands and drink Give cup back to the EM 3. Return to your seat. What is necessary to receive the Holy Eucharist worthily? (Excerpt from A Concise Catechism for Catholics by James Tolhurst) We should keep the Eucharistic fast (no food or drink) one hour before the time of receiving Communion; (water does not break the fast) and not be conscious of having committed grave sin, humbly recalling the faith of the centurion: Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, only say the word and I shall be healed. (Cf. Mk 8.8)

First Communion Schedule Saturday, April 21, 2018 10:30 AM Liturgy/Mass Sunday 10:15AM 2 nd grade groups Sunday 10:15AM RCIC group Sunday 8:30AM Older Sacrament Group PRACTICE: Friday, April 20 th 4:00 PM 5:30 PM The practice for your group will begin at 4:00 PM and end at 5:30 PM. Please meet your catechist in the assigned room in the Activity Building at 2700 W. Spring Creek Blvd. ON TIME. This is the building next to the Church on the main church property. Regular Session Time Room # Meet In Activity Bldg. Room Older Sacrament 8:30AM Room 110---------------------------------------------Room B 2 nd Gr. Sunday 10:15AM Room 107---------------------------------------------Room D Room 109-------------------------------------------- Room E Room 110-------------------------------------------- Room C RCIC Group/Sunday 10:15AM Room 230-------------------------------------------- Seton Room COMMUNION DAY: Saturday, April 21 st 9:30 AM Meet in assigned room to line up for group pictures 10:30 AM Liturgy in Church 12:00 Noon Reception in the Parish Hall Cameras may be used from the pews only. Please remember this is a Mass and we must remain reverent. Aisles must remain clear at all times. NOTE: Children assigned to meet in Seton Room & Room E will be seated on the left side of the main aisle in the Church, facing the altar. (Blessed Sacrament Chapel side) Children assigned to meet in rooms C & D will be seated on the right side of the main aisle in the Church, facing the altar. ( Choir side)

First Communion Schedule Saturday, April 21, 2018 2:00 PM Liturgy/Mass Sunday 8:30 AM 2 nd grade classes Wednesday 4:30PM 2 nd grade groups Wednesday 6:00PM 2 nd grade groups PRACTICE: Friday, April 20 th 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM The practice for your group will begin at 6:00 PM and end at 7:30 PM. Please meet your catechist in the assigned room in the Activity Building at 2700 W. Spring Creek Blvd. This is the building next to the Church on the main church property. Regular Session Time Room # Meet In Activity Bldg. Room # 2 nd Grade Sunday 8:30AM Room 107--------------------------------Seton Room 1 Room 109--------------------------------Seton Room 3 2 nd Grade Wednesday 4:30PM Room 107--------------------------------Room C Room 109--------------------------------Room E Room 110--------------------------------Room D 2 nd Grade Wednesday 6:00PM Room 109--------------------------------Room B COMMUNION DAY : Saturday, April 21 st 1:00 PM Meet in assigned room to line up for group pictures 2:00 PM Liturgy in Church 3:30 PM Reception in the Parish Hall Cameras may be used from the pews only. Please remember this is a Mass and we must remain reverent. Aisles must remain clear at all times. NOTE: Children assigned to meet in Seton Room ( SR-1,SR-3, E) will be seated on the left side of the main aisle in the Church, facing the altar. ( Blessed Sacrament Chapel side) Children assigned to meet in rooms B, C, D will be seated on the right side of the main aisle in the Church, facing the altar. ( Choir side)

General Information 2018 PLEASE NOTE THAT THE FIRST EUCHARIST LITURGIES AND PRACTICES WILL BE HELD ON THE MAIN CHURCH CAMPUS @ 2700 W. SPRING CREEK PKWY. Children will meet in their assigned room in the Activity Center, connected by the breezeway to the Church, for practice and for the liturgy. Catechists will lead them to the Church at the appropriate time. Suggested Dress for Girls on the Day of First Communion Sunday dress o Girls wear traditional white First Communion Dresses o Dress should cover the shoulders and have a modest neckline o If a dress has spaghetti straps (less than 1-inch wide), a sweater or jacket is required o Simple street-length dress is recommended o Veil optional: Many girls wear veils, most wear some hair ornament (veil, ribbon, flowers, etc.) NO GLOVES - NO PURSE will be allowed to be worn into the church! No tennis shoes or sport type shoes It is recommended that girls NOT wear raised or high heels Suggested Dress for Boys on the Day of First Communion Dress slacks no jeans Dress shirt (NO T-SHIRTS OR KNIT POLO STYLE SHIRTS) preferably solid, but no plaids Coat and/or tie optional Dress shoes/loafers - No tennis shoes or sport type shoes (Please note - new shoes are slippery high heels on girls are especially so, and dresses and slacks that are too long can cause a child to trip. The children will be walking up the steps onto the altar to receive the Eucharist. The steps and altar are made of ceramic tile! We want your child to be comfortable and secure on communion day. Double sided tape on, or scraping the soles of new shoes can help to prevent slipping.) It is recommended that you shop for clothing before Easter, as there is a wider selection at that time. Most of the major department stores have dresses, veils and bows available for purchase. There are photographs of previous First Communion classes available in the Children s Ministry office for you to view. Veils and other religious articles are also available at: Sacred Heart (Campbell & Coit) Phone: 972-250-2100 Catholic Art and Gifts (Inwood & Forest) Phone: 972-934-3553 Catalogs of various communion articles, including rosaries, crosses, veils and bibles are available and can be picked up in the Children s Ministry office. Please place your orders directly with the company if you use a catalog. Allow time for delivery.

COMMUNION CLOSET: Seton currently sponsors a Communion Closet in partnership with several of our area Catholic parishes. We are all aware that clothing for this special event can get expensive and children often do not get a lot of additional use out of the items. This can impact the family budget quite a bit. One of our teens started this project several years ago, hoping to help local families. Professionally cleaned and gently used boys suits, slacks, shirts, jackets and ties; girls communion dresses and veils, are donated. Invitations are sent to all children in the participating parishes to come to St. Elizabeth s on the morning of our Eucharist Workshop: Saturday March 24 th to shop for clothing that they may want for First Communion. The outfits are given at no cost and with no questions asked other than the size you need. We provide rooms for children to try on the outfits. The items are theirs to keep. If anyone would like to re-donate for next year, we simply ask that the clothing be professionally cleaned before we accept it. If you have any questions contact Denise Gilbert Children s Ministry. NOTE: First Eucharist is not just another event or photo-op in your child s life. It is a sacrament that takes place within the sacred liturgy of the Mass. We ask that all in attendance behave in a manner that will allow it to remain sacred and memorable for all participating. Please take note: The priest will bless rosaries, prayer books, etc. during the liturgy. Children will not be allowed to carry these items into the Church. Parents should keep them in their possession. You may take pictures and/or videos during the liturgy, but we ask that you remain in your pew. All aisles must remain clear at all times during the processions in and out of the Church and during the liturgy especially during the Communions. You may take group pictures in the Church before the liturgy, and of your child individually, after the liturgy. The area between the pews and the entry doors most particularly by the gift table near the door must remain clear of people at ALL times. Love Photography will take pictures of each class group before the liturgy. You may purchase these. The order form is in this packet. The priest will be available for pictures at the reception in the Parish Hall. We are aware that you are excited for your child and eager to visit with your family and guests BUT please do your visiting at the reception following the Mass not during the Mass and most pointedly not during the reception of Holy Communion. Do Not Wave to your child! SAVING OF SEATS: You are asked to hold only 2 seats for members of your party arriving late. Other families make the effort to arrive early and it is only fair that they have access to seats within the church. At 15 minutes before the Mass is to begin ALL seating will be opened and ushers will begin seating anyone needing a seat. NO saving of seats will be permitted from 15 minutes before the Mass is to begin. That means no saving of seats after 10:15AM and after 1:45PM. We hope that you understand that the above rules are meant only to allow the liturgy to remain sacred and to avoid difficulties that we have encountered in the past. I am sure that you would agree that the experience of the sacrament is what is important for all most especially for the children receiving the Eucharist for the first time.

Group Picture Order Form 8x10 group -$16.00 each 5x7 group -$12.00 each Parent/s Name Child s name Address City State Zip Home # Cell# E-mail address: First Eucharist Liturgy: Sat. 10:30am Sat. 2:00pm Child s weekly session Day Time Room # (Above refers to the group that your child took the picture with) I WOULD LIKE TO ORDER 8X10 S I WOULD LIKE TO ORDER 5X7 S TOTAL OF ORDER $ Please make checks payable to: E. Love The Group Photographs will be taken in the Church one hour before the Liturgy on the day of First Communion.

Please staple your check here. First Communion Individual Pictures Order Form First Communion individual portraits will be taken by Love Photography on April 7, 2017 Saturday - Room 110, 9:00AM 11:30AM 3100 W Spring Creek Pkwy Seton Faith Formation Center All packages are prepaid with a 100% satisfaction guaranteed. Make checks payable to E. Love. If you would like to order, please fill in the information below and attach to this form a check for total amount of order. Tax is included in the price. Prices include postage and handling. Portraits will be mailed in 3-4 weeks. Return check and order form to the Children s Ministry Office by Thursday April 5th. You will be given an appointment time by the Children's Ministry Office. Please indicate your package choices Package A Package B Package C Package D Package E 2 8x10 4 5x7 1 8x10 2 5x7 1 5x7 2 5x7 2 4x5 2 5x7 2 4x5 2 4x5 4 4x5 8 wallets 8 wallets 8 wallets 8 wallets 8 wallets $72.00 $56.00 $48.00 $40.00 $32.00 You can add additional prints to your package Package F 1 8x10 $18.00 Package G 2 5x7 $18.00 Package H 4 4x5 $18.00 Package I 8 wall $18.00 Total of order$ Parent s name Child's name Address City State Phone Parent E-mail: Teacher s Name Child's Class Day Time Room

Seton Rooms 1/2/3 Community Life 2701 Piedra Drive Parish Activity Center 2700 West Spring Creek Parkway Parish Office Alley Offices A B Kitchen C M RR D W RR E Brides Room Sacred Remembrance Garden and Columbarium Love Truck M RR W RR Roundrock Trail. Parish Hall Pastoral Ministries Office of Development Nursery Art and Environment Storage St. Cecilia Room West Parking Lot Fire Station East Parking Lot S E N Immaculate Conception Chapel Church Foyer MRR WRR Blessed Sacrament Chapel Main Sanctuary Choir Room West Spring Creek Parkway

ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON CHILDREN S MINISTRY 3100 W. Spring Creek Pkwy. Seton Faith Formation Center For information contact Denise Gilbert Elementary Coordinator 972-398-5400 x4264 dgilbert@eseton.org