St. Matthew the Apostle Parish 1 st Eucharist Parent Meeting January 31, 2016

Agenda  OVERVIEW OF PROGRAM  Important Dates  Parent Preparation Reminders  1 st Eucharist Day Information

Overview of First Eucharist Program *DATES TO REMEMBER* Sat. 4/30/16 – 3:00 – 5:00 PM – Parent/Child Retreat Day – (one parent must attend with child) ◦5:00 PM Mass - Bauer Hall Parent-Child Liturgy of Explanation (one parent must attend with child) ◦Return 1 st Eucharist Banner for Pew (Name/date label provided – affix to back of banner before returning)

1 st Eucharist/Rehearsal Schedule 1 st Eucharist CelebrationRehearsal DateRehearsal Time Sun. May 15 th 10:00 AMWed. 05/11/166:00 PM – 7:00 PM Sun. May 15 th 12:00 PMWed. 05/11/167:00 PM – 8:00 PM Sun. May 22 nd 10:00 AMWed. 05/18/166:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Special Occasion Sun. 05/08, 10:00 AM May Crowning Liturgy (Mother’s Day) ◦Children invited to participate ◦May wear 1 st Eucharist or “Sunday Best” clothing

1 st Eucharist Dress Guidelines ◦Special occasion = special clothing ◦PLEASE  Focus on WHY new clothes/family heirloom  White – reminder of Baptism ◦ cleanse from original sin ◦ 1 st Sacrament of initiation  Eucharist is the 2 nd Sacrament of initiation  Confirmation is the 3 rd Sacrament of initiation

 Special day but AVOID over elaborate dress detracts from the reverence of the day  First Eucharist – celebration of joining the “Table of the Lord” for the first time  It is NOT a wedding  Clothing - a symbol/sign - special because it’s their FIRST – One of Many times to receive Eucharist for the rest of their lives

Notes for Girls  Girls white dresses-no length restrictions  age appropriate and comfortable.  Veils or flowers in hair - optional  Shoes should be FLAT – age appropriate – no heels Items of choice NOT to be used in church: ◦Gloves ◦Flowers/corsage (even wristlets) ◦Purses ◦Prayer books & Rosaries ◦Bracelets Distractions for the children Save for after the celebration

Notes for Boys Dress shirts, belt, tie, dress shoes ◦may wear suit Color is your choice. Symbolic white can be incorporated by white tie or jacket vs. suit being white Items of choice NOT to be used in church: ◦Boutonnieres ◦Prayer Books & Rosaries Distractions for the children Save for after the celebration

Gluten Free Host – inform us if child/family member needs God’s Gift parent/child workbook: complete with child Banner Kits – first name on banner– name label on back Parish Photo Board: child’s picture for parish photo board ◦3 x 4 in. or smaller ◦To be displayed in gathering Space (pics not identified) ◦Why? - St. Matthew’s parishioners celebrate with your family. ◦Volunteer needed – assemble photo board Practice receiving Eucharist ◦wine at home ◦at rehearsal we will practice receiving with an unconsecrated host but not practice with wine. Return Number in Family Form: ◦Each family will have a pew reserved for them. The “family” consists of all members who live in the same house. Translation: If the person resides at another address, they are not counted in this number ◦**Number of close relatives that you would like to invite to sit in your family pew - perhaps grandparents or godparent** ◦All others are invited to sit in any pew EXCEPT those reserved for the First Communicants and their family. Things to do before 1 st Eucharist:

SUNDAY MASS Attend Sunday Mass with your child Avoid mixed message Already doing? Keep it going! Not so much? Now-a good starting point! When FF in session: ◦LWWC 10 am Mass Non-FF Sundays: ◦10 am Mass is Family Liturgy

Fr. Dan’s Letter to Parents Dear 2 nd Grade Parents, I hope you are enjoying spending time with your little ones in preparation for their upcoming celebration of First Eucharist. They are a wonderful group of kids as I can tell from the times I and Fr Kamil have spent with them in classes and in their celebration of First Reconciliation back in December. I want to take this opportunity to reiterate the importance of bringing your children to mass over the weekend. We remember the old and time tested adage: “Children learn from what they see”. If they see their family coming to mass on a regular basis they come to learn that it is a priority in life. When they come to mass and experience the ritual, they see and understand what they are learning from their catechists, the parish staff, and their parents. Child psychologists attest to the fact that second graders consider being a part of a group very important. They likewise say that second graders have a natural sense of wonder and prayer and love to celebrate ritual, seasons and feast days. All of that adds up to the value of bringing children to church and forming them in the faith. I am concerned that a number of our children are not coming to mass very often or not at all. I must admit that I feel uncomfortable celebrating First Eucharist for children who have no idea of what the mass is about. We would be doing them a great disservice. As a parish staff we acknowledge how busy your lives are and how much love and energy you put into forming your children. Sports and other activities are essential in creating well rounded and happy children but forming a spiritual life for children is a gift and a necessity from which they will benefit for all the years of their lives. We have tried as best we can to make the mass a good experience for the kids in providing the Liturgy of the Word With Children and children’s homilies for the 10 AM mass on Sundays. We offer the opportunity for mass round the clock at St. Matthew’s including both Sat and Sun at 5 PM. I do not know what more we can do as a parish staff to encourage young families to participate in mass. As we have always told the parents in meetings on Faith Formation, our parish staff is here for you to listen to your struggles and questions in your faith and with the Church, and help you draw closer to God and the faith community. I do hope and pray that you might take the next few months prior to your child’s reception of the Eucharist to renew your faith and participate as a family in Sunday Eucharist. Please feel free to call upon me or any of our pastoral staff to discuss your concerns or make some constructive suggestions of how we can minister to you and your children in a more effective way. May God continue to bless you and your family in the weeks ahead. Sincerely In Christ,

Special notes for 1 st Eucharist Mass: NO pictures or videos during 1 st Eucharist Mass ◦fellow parishioner will video each Mass ◦DVD will be available – sign up to reserve  Suggested donation $5-10 ◦Please share information with your relatives/guests Family pew reserved ◦Family members in pew to bring child to altar to receive 1 st Eucharist  Includes parent who may not be Catholic

Eucharist Celebration-Seating 1 st Eucharist Date: ___________________Mass Time: ________________ Child’s Name: ___________________________________________________ ____Number of people in your immediate family (only those who live in your house) who will attend Mass (including the First Communicant). ____Number of close** relatives that you would like to invite to sit in your family pew **i.e.: Grandparents, Godparents ____Please remember my deceased family member in the Prayer of the Faithful. Name:_________________________________________________ Family members who may wish to serve as Eucharistic Minister, Lectors, Altar Servers. Name:Ministry: __________________________________________________________

Closing Prayer We bless you, God of Seed and Harvest, Provider of our daily bread. And we bless each other, that the beauty of this world and the love that created it, might be expressed through our lives and be a blessing to others, now and always. Amen. By John Birch Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

“SEEDS ” by Kathy Mattea U3SG7A U3SG7A Closing Song