Receiving the Sacrament of Holy Communion for the first time ST PAUL S CATHOLIC CHURCH

Overview of the Program key elements Parent Information Evening: Wednesday 26 July WE ARE HERE! Lesson 1: Saturday 5 August or Monday 7 August Lesson 2: Saturday 12 August or Monday 14 August (Parent session) Lesson 3: Saturday 19 August or Monday 21 August Instructional Mass for all First Holy Communion candidates & families: Wed 23 August 6.30pm Commitment Ceremony: Weekend Masses 26-27 August Lesson 4: Saturday 26 August or Monday 28 August Communion Preparation Day: Thursday 31 August at St Paul s Hall Celebration of the Sacrament: Weekend Masses 9-10 September

Workshops Children attend either a Saturday or Monday lesson. Both are 4.30pm - 5.45pm in St Paul s Hall. Lesson 1: Saturday 5 August or Monday 7 August Lesson 2: Saturday 12 August or Monday 14 August (Parent session) Lesson 3: Saturday 19 August or Monday 21 August Lesson 4: Saturday 26 August or Monday 28 August Parents will be in St Paul s Hall with their children during Lesson 2. This is a chance for parents to talk to their child about their faith.

First Holy Communion Ceremony All on one weekend of 9-10 September 2017 You tick your first preference. Saturday 9 September at 6pm Vigil Mass (book functions for 8pm) Sunday 10 September at 10am Mass (book functions for 12pm) Certificates will be presented after the ceremony; there will be a cake and a group photo will be taken.

Instructional Mass with Q&A Mass for all First Holy Communion candidates & families: Wednesday 23 August 6.30pm We will slowly walk through the Mass, describing each of the sections, and the meaning of many of the things that we do. There will be an opportunity to ask questions You might even get some answers ;-)

Communion Preparation Day Thursday 31 August at St Paul s Hall Parents of children who are NOT at St Paul s School, are asked to inform their child s school ASAP that they will be attending the preparation day. Children are required to make this preparation day and Instructional Mass a PRIORITY over other school functions or events.

Communion Commitment Ceremony Weekend Masses 26-27 August Sat 26 August 6pm or Sun 27 August 8am or Sun 27 August 10am During Mass, both candidates and parents will be invited to stand and pray a prayer of commitment together.

Communion Commitment Ceremony Fr Richard: Now we welcome your parents and guardians and all those who love and take care of you. We ask God s blessing on them all, as they prepare with you to celebrate for the first time the sacrament of Holy Communion. Parents and guardians, what do you ask for your children? Parents & Guardians: We ask that our child receives the sacrament of Holy Communion for the first time.

Communion Commitment Ceremony Fr Richard: You have asked for the sacrament for your children. In so doing you are accepting the responsibility of helping them to grow in their understanding of the faith and their practice of the faith. You are the first teachers in the ways of faith; may you also be the best of teachers. Do you understand what it is that you are undertaking? Parents & Guardians: We do.

Communion Commitment Ceremony Fr Richard: Do you promise to help, support and pray with your child that they will continue to grow in their faith and understanding? Parents & Guardians: We do.

Communion Commitment Ceremony Fr Richard: Do you promise to create a Christian environment in your home, and by your own good example, lead the child in ways of the faith? Parents & Guardians: We do.

Communion Commitment Ceremony Fr Richard: Do you promise to accompany your child to Mass on Sunday so as to share in the Eucharist, and be nourished at the table of the Lord? Parents & Guardians: We do. This will be followed by the renewal of baptismal promises.

The program is run by the Parish St Paul s School does not administer the program Families need to make all enquiries about the First Holy Communion Program to the Parish Sacramental Team and not through St Paul s School or Catechists. All changes of lessons must be given IN WRITING (note to Parish Office, text message or email) to Julie Ferguson, not via a phone call or just spoken about in passing Preference is to email sacraments@stpaulsparish.org.au

Things to remember Children need to be brought to the Hall by an adult and need to be signed in & out. Make sure your child s name is on the Worksheet or Poster Please sign and date the worksheet in the space provided.

Worksheets Families need to complete these together with their child, then return on designated weekends to Mass Worksheet 1 Bible Story weekend of 5-6 August Worksheet 2 Poster Preparation weekend of 12-13 August Worksheet 3 Chalice drawing weekend of 19-20 August What the Mass means to me Poster weekend of 26-27 August

Reflection on the Eucharist What we believe about the Eucharist is: that the bread becomes the Body of Christ and the wine becomes the Blood of Christ for us

Reflection on the Eucharist The word Eucharist means thanksgiving - thanksgiving to God for loving us always - thanksgiving to God for giving us Jesus - thanksgiving that by dying on the cross and rising again, Jesus took away our sins

Reflection on the Eucharist We are told by Jesus that God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that all who believe in him may not perish but may have the life of the age to come. John 3:16 Jesus loved us so much he could not stand to be away from us, so in the Eucharist he provides a way to be with us always.

Beginning in the early church

St Justin, Martyr (150 AD) Today The Sunday assembly Readings, discourse, prayer Gathering Liturgy of the Word Bread and wine processed, thanksgiving Liturgy of the Eucharist Communion is distributed Sick visited Communion Rite Sending forth

People of God For this people is the People of God, purchased by Christ's Blood, gathered together by the Lord, nourished by his word, the people called to present to God the prayers of the entire human family, a people that gives thanks in Christ for the mystery of salvation by offering his Sacrifice, a people, finally, that is brought together in unity by Communion in the Body and Blood of Christ. GIRM 5

This people, though holy in its origin, nevertheless grows constantly in holiness by conscious, active, and fruitful participation in the mystery of the Eucharist. GIRM 5

Bread and wine: St Augustine (354-430) Sermon 272 Many grains are gathered into one and Many grapes hang in the cluster, but the liquid of the grapes is mixed in unity.

The Presence of Christ At Mass the People of God is called together, with a Priest presiding and acting in the person of Christ, to celebrate the memorial of the Lord Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in their midst (Mt 18:20). GIRM 27

The way Christ is present For in the celebration of Mass, in which the Sacrifice of the Cross is perpetuated, Christ is really present in the very assembly gathered in his name, in the person of the minister, in his word, and indeed substantially and uninterruptedly under the Eucharistic species. GIRM 27

Reflection on the Eucharist ABCD Jesus is present in the Eucharistic celebration in four ways: Substantially and continually in the Eucharist In the Word of God proclaimed A.Altar In the priest celebrant B.Book In the assembly C. Celebrant (Chair) D.Disciples (Da People)

Structure of the Mass Two parts: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist so closely interconnected that they form but one single act of worship. For in the Mass is spread the table both of God s Word and of the Body of Christ GIRM 28

If, therefore, you are the body of Christ and His members, your mystery has been placed on the Lord s table, you receive your mystery. You reply Amen to that which you are, and by replying you consent. For you hear The Body of Christ, and you reply Amen. Be a member of the body of Christ so that your Amen may be true. Sermon 272

The institution narratives In the story of the Last Supper, and the stories of the multiplication of the loaves and fish, Jesus takes the bread, gives thanks, breaks and shares. These 4 actions are central to the Eucharist. Take = preparation of the gifts; Give thanks = Eucharistic Prayer; Breaks = Lamb of God / Fraction; Shares = Communion

Transubstantiation A change in the substance of the bread into the body of Jesus with only the accidents of the bread remaining (eg colour, look, taste, smell, feel of bread) Found in Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1376 This is okay but it is based on a system of thought that no one understands (or really accepts) anymore. Perhaps all that we need to know about the Eucharist is what we pray in the Eucharistic Prayer: May these gifts become for us, the body and blood of Christ.

Questions specific and general