St Joseph's Parish, Papanui First Reconciliation and First Communion Come Spend One Hour with Me February 2016 May 2016 We welcome children from our parish in Year 4 or older to join in this preparation for their first Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. The process begins with an enrolment meeting on Tuesday 9 th February at the St Joseph's Parish Centre at 7.30pm. This evening will be a wine and cheese relaxed gathering where we explain our commitment to you for your role in supporting your children through this Sacramental process. (Father John is providing the drinks and nibbles). This is for parents only. Candidates are formally enrolled in the process on Enrolment Sunday (weekend 13 th /14 th February) at Gregory's Church. At these Masses, the children will each be given a bible called The Big Word. It is essential for children to attend each of these rites at either the 6.00 pm Vigil Mass or 8.30am, 10.00am or 5.00 pm Sunday Masses. During the proceeding weeks, the candidates (your children) will be invited to join us at Mass on several occasions, to be presented to the parish community for prayer and support. At these Masses they will also be receiving small prayer cards for their use during the process. This is an important part of the Sacramental Process by offering them (and yourselves) the opportunity to receive God s blessings in preparation for the Initiation Sacraments they are preparing to receive. During this period of preparation there are twelve worksheets (that are age appropriate) which your children complete. These are given in sets of 3 at each parent meeting. Either you as parents or another person will help the child complete the worksheets. The sacramental team will support you along the way if needed. Naturally we take a break during Easter and school holidays. Completed worksheets are handed into St Joseph's Parish Centre or St Gregory's Church before the next meeting. These worksheet will then be presented back to each child at the conclusion of the process at the Presentation of Certificates Masses on Saturday28th/Sunday 29 th May
Page 2 At the first meeting on Wednesday evening 17 th February we are inviting you and your child to a homework club session which is being held in St Joseph s School Hall. Please bring your child s pencil case and a cushion to sit on the floor so you can work together with the Sacramental teams support to complete the first worksheet. The second and third Parent Meetings (Wednesday 2 nd and 16 th March) are going to be held at St Joseph s Parish Centre and we will offer an afternoon and evening session for your convenience. During these meetings we will be assisting you in your understanding of the worksheets so that you can take this valuable information home with you to help your children complete the next few lessons. The final meeting (Wednesday 6 th April) is a shared BYO evening meal with you and your children and the Sacramental Team. We are using this evening as an informal celebration for nearly completing the process. The last 3 worksheets will be handed out then. We will also be explaining how the First Reconciliation will run for your children and possibly a bit of an update for yourselves. The following events all take place at St Gregory's Church, Cotswold Avenue: First Reconciliation will take place on Thursday 12th May 6.00 8.30 pm. Followed by a shared supper. Practice for First Holy Communion is on Friday 20 th May 5.00 5.30 pm, 5.30 6.00 pm and 6.00 6.30 pm. First Communion will take place at the 6.00 pm Vigil Mass, Saturday 21 st May and the Sunday 22 nd May Masses 8.30am and 10.00am. (Feast of the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity). Certificates and completed worksheets are presented at the 6.00 pm Vigil Mass, Saturday 28 th May and Sunday 29 th May 8.30am, 10.00am and 5.00 pm Masses. Please complete the registration form (page 5) with a copy of your child s baptism certificate - plus payment of $50.00. This payment goes towards the costs of the bible, Mass book, catering for the First Holy Communion Celebratory Lunch and material required for the programme. Photography and candle purchases are available at an extra cost if you wish to purchase those, however there is no obligation to do so. Please return the form with the copy of your child s baptismal certificate and money to the in parish office by Friday 5 th February
Page 3 St Joseph s Parish Papanui First Reconciliation and Holy Communion 2016 Time line Come Spend One Hour with Me February: Friday 5 th Enrolment Forms returned by this date to Parish Office with Baptism Certificate and Payment Tuesday 9 th : 7.30 pm: Parent Enrolment evening with BYO wine and cheese St Joseph s Parish Centre Wednesday 10 th ASH WEDNESDAY Saturday 13 th and Sunday 14 th Enrolment Sunday over 4 Masses and Presentation of The Big Word Bible 6.30 Saturday 13 th, 8.30 am, 10.00 am and 5.00 pm Sunday 14 th Wednesday 17 th : 7.00 8.00 pm: First Meeting, catechesis to whole group and a homework club to both parent and First Holy Communicants on how to answer worksheets in St Josephs School Hall. Worksheet 1 completed on the night. WS 2 and 3 to be completed and returned before next meeting. Sunday 21 st Invitation to Mass children will be invited to serve in the various ministries over the 4 Masses. Sunday 28 th Presentation of The Creed over 4 Masses March: Wednesday 2 nd : 1.45 2.45 pm and 7.30 8.30 pm: Second Parent Meeting Formation for Parents. Work Sheets 4, 5 and 6 given out. (These WS s to be completed and returned before next meeting).
Page 4 Sunday 6 th Presentation of The 10 Commandments over 4 Masses. Wednesday 16 th : 1.45 2.45 pm and 7.30 8.30 pm: Third Parent Meeting Formation for Parents. WS 7, 8 and 9 given out. Sunday 20 th PALM SUNDAY Thursday 24 th Holy Thursday through to Easter Sunday 27 th March. April: Wednesday 6 th : 6.00 7.30 pm Final Meeting celebrated with a shared BYO meal for both Parents and Communicants. Reconciliation explained and practiced WS 10, 11 and 12 given out. (These WS s to be completed and returned by the Reconciliation Evening on May 12 th ). Sunday 10 th Presentation of Our Father over 4 Masses Friday 15 th Last Day of Term 1 (School Holidays 16 April 1 May) May: Monday 2nd Term 2 Begins. Thursday 12 th : 6.30 8.00 pm First Reconciliation followed by Supper Friday 20 th : 5.00 5.30 pm, 5.30 6.00 pm and 6.00 6.30 pm. Practise for First Holy Communion Saturday 21 st : 6.00 pm 1 st First Holy Communion Mass, (Feast of The Most Holy Trinity) Sunday 22 nd : 8.30 and 10.00 am First Holy Communion Mass, (Feast of The Most Holy Trinity) Saturday 28 th / Sunday 29 th Presentation of Certificates, (Feast of The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ) Sacramental Programme Coordinator: Irene Maguire Pastoral Associate 3588172 / 027 62294159 Sacramental team: Sarah Sutcliffe, Sarah Hooker, Kate Clarkson and Paula Baudet and Jo Sutcliffe
Page 5 St Joseph s Parish Papanui First Reconciliation and Holy Communion 2016 REGISTRATION FORM (Please print clearly. Please complete one registration form for each candidate. Child s name Date of Birth Parents Names Father Mother Address Post Code Phone number Cellphone Email I agree to support my child as he/she prepares for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Eucharist and I agree to attend all parent meetings The parish subsidizes the programme but asks for a contribution of $50.00 towards expenses. Payment must be made by Friday 5 th February. Copy of baptism certificate must accompany registration form. Signed On Office use only: Copy of Baptismal certificate held $50.00 received Date...