Holy Communion Parent Meeting NOTE: To change the image on this slide, select the picture and delete it. Then click the Pictures icon in the placeholder to insert your own image. February 6th 2019 St. Mary’s Parish Center

A Prayer for Children God, we pray that through the intercessions of St. Nicholas You will guide and protect our children. Keep them safe from all harm and help them grow to become loving disciples of Jesus in Your sight. Give them strength to always mature into deeper faith in You, and to keep alive joy in Your creation. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen

Agenda Catechesis Announcements Holy Communion Retreats Reminders Communion Dates Deadlines

A Sacrament of Initiation Holy Communion A Sacrament of Initiation

Catechism of the Catholic Church 1323: At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood. This he did in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved Spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a Paschal banquet 'in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us.”

Understanding this Sacrament When was this Sacrament instituted? At the Last Supper (Passover) Is it REALLY his body and blood? YES! (Transubstantiation) When is this Sacrament celebrated? At every mass Are we re-crucifying Jesus? No Memorial Sacrifice (anamnesis)

What is required of us? 1387: To prepare for worthy reception of this sacrament, the faithful should observe the fast required in their Church. 1389: The Church obliges the faithful to take part in the Divine Liturgy on Sundays and feast days and, prepared by the sacrament of Reconciliation, to receive the Eucharist at least once a year, if possible during the Easter Season.

1389 (cont.): But the Church strongly encourages the faithful to receive the holy Eucharist on Sundays and feast days, or more often still, even daily.

How can we receive?

How can we receive? Discern Just one or both? In the hand On the tongue Kneeling on the tongue Just one or both? 1390: Since Christ is sacramentally present under each of the species, communion under the species of bread alone makes it possible to receive all the fruit of Eucharistic grace. For pastoral reasons this manner of receiving communion has been legitimately established as the most common form in the Latin rite. But "the sign of communion is more complete when given under both kinds, since in that form the sign of the Eucharistic meal appears more clearly.”

Announcements

Dress Code Attire Boys Girls Attire Traditional Dress shoes Dress pants Dress shirt Matching Jacket (optional) NO SPECIFIC COLOR IS REQUIRED Attire Traditional White(ish) Dress Matching shoes (avoid sandals) Veil (optional) No gloves No purses

Reminders First Reconciliation WEDNESDAY SESSION (3rd – 6th) THURSDAY SESSION (7th – 8th) First Reconciliation January 23rd, 2019 Class time: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm SOUP NIGHTS From 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm March 13th March 20th March 27th First Reconciliation January 24th, 2019 Class time: 5:00 pm – 7:15 pm

REMINDERS (cont.) Regular Mass Attendance NO MAKE-UPS Attend Faith Formation Classes Regular attendance Copy of/or verification of Baptismal Certificate Tuition PAID IN FULL (DEADLINE MARCH 15th 2019) SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION MAY BE POSTPONED IF THE ABOVE REQUIREMENTS ARE NOT MET.

Upcoming Retreats 3rd Grade Retreat Wed. April 3rd, 2019 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm Parish Center 4th – 6th Grade Retreat Wed. April 10th, 2019 7th & 8th Grade Retreat Thur. April 11, 2019 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm Parish Center

Holy Communion Location Time Location Time May 18th (3rd – 4th Grade) May 25th (5th – 8th Grade) Location Our Lady of Guadalupe Time Call Time: 9:15 am Mass: 10:00 am Location Our Lady of Guadalupe Time Call Time: 9:15 am Mass: 10:00 am

Clarifications GODPARENTS: Godparents are encouraged to attend the mass, however they do not play a direct role in the liturgy. GIFTS: Gifts to mark the occasion are of course encouraged, however the Communicants are not to hold on to any items during the mass. Their hands need to be free to receive the precious body and blood.