1. We Celebrate the Eucharist
St. Anne Parish

2. Participants in Sacramental Preparation
Candidate
Parents
Catechists: Joanne Flathers
Pat Draper
RE Coordinator: Donna McIntosh
Priest/Deacon: Father Albert
Deacon Paul
Community

3. Who is “Ready” to Receive?
First Reconciliation/First Communion Preparation Candidate has:
Registered as a parishioner of St. Anne Church
Received the Sacrament of Baptism
If candidate baptized at St. Anne, all set
If candidate not baptized at St. Anne, a copy of Baptismal Certificate from other parish required
Is 2nd grade or older (7 years old or older)
Has completed at least one year of formal religious education
If candidate has attended RE classes at St. Anne, all set
If candidate has not attended RE classes at St. Anne, a letter from other parish or Catholic school required
Desires to receive the Sacrament

4. What Does Preparation Entail?
Sunday, October 16
9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Class #1: BELONGING
Sunday, October 23
Class #2: BELONGING/CELEBRATING
Sunday, November 6
Class #3: CELEBRATING
Sunday, November 13
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Class #4: LISTENING
INSCRIPTION MASS
Sunday, December 4
Class #5: LISTENING/CARING
Sunday, December 11
Class #6: CARING
Sunday, January 8
Class #7: MAKING PEACE
Sunday, January 22
10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Class #8: MAKING PEACE
Parent Meeting
Sunday, January 29
2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
FIRST RECONCILIATION SERVICE (Families)
Sunday, February 5
Class #9: GIVING THANKS for CREATION
Sunday, February 12
Class #10: GIVING THANKS for NEW LIFE
Sunday, March 5
Class #11: SHARING A MEAL
Sunday, March 12
Class #12: SHARING A MEAL
Sunday, April 2
FC RETREAT (Parents attend)
Sunday, April 9
Class #13: THE MASS
TBD - Wed 26 or Th 27
7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Practice week before
Sunday, April 30
TBD
FIRST COMMUNION MASS(ES)
Sunday, May 7
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Going Forth Mass and Potluck

5. Music Ministry
9:00 a.m. to 10:10 a.m. Class time 10:10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Music Instruction/Practice First Communion candidates will be singing together with parish adults, high school Confirmation candidates and Grades 1 & 3 RE students on select Sundays during class time.
This grouping will be singing during the 10:30 a.m. mass on:
November 6
December 4
January 8
February 5
March 5

6. We Celebrate the Eucharist Program

7. Class #1/#2: BELONGING
The Eucharist is about belonging to a faith community
Baptism – the First Sacrament
of Initiation
Welcomed into God’s family
Washing away of Original Sin
Called by name

8. Class #2/#3: CELEBRATING
Mass is a celebration of
Jesus’ death and resurrection
Themes of celebration
Music
Food
Guests
Decorations
Special Linens
Special Cups and Plates

9. Class #4/#5: LISTENING Hearing the Word of God through:
First and Second Readings
Old Testament
New Testament
Gospel
What Jesus did and said
Homily
Explanation of the Scriptures that were proclaimed
What’s Really Important?
November :30 a.m. Special Inscription Mass: Candidates will be called by name to receive blessing from community

10. Class #5/#6: CARING Prayer of the Faithful
Slide presentation with discussion:
“Why would these people need our prayers?”
God’s love shown through
ours words and actions
Five Fingers of Prayer

11. Class #7/#8: MAKING PEACE
Forgiveness asked for many times during Mass:
Mercy, Acknowledge unworthiness, Sign of Peace
Discussion of Sin
Not loving God and others as God calls us to love
Point out transgressions of last month in positive way
Making Confession
Experience of God’s love and mercy, not punishment
Receive God’s mercy so that we can do better
Video/Church walk-through
Parent Meeting on January 22 at 10:00 a.m.

12. FIRST RECONCILIATION SERVICE
Sunday, January 29
2:00 p.m. in St. Anne Church
Open to candidates and families
Two priests will be in attendance to hear confessions
Seating:
Priests will be seated in front two pews
Candidates and families will be
seated in long pews and back
Communal Act of Contrition
Private confession

13. Class #9/#10: GIVING THANKS
For Creation
Stewardship
For New Life
We thank Jesus for the gift of New Life every time we come to celebrate Mass

14. Class #11/#12: SHARING A MEAL
The tradition of Passover – the meal shared by Israelites on the night they were delivered from slavery in Egypt.
The Eucharistic bread and cup are signs of the unity we have because of what God has done for us in Christ.
Eucharistic meal is true nourishment and has life-giving power.

15. First Communion Retreat
Sunday, April 2
At 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Parents and candidates gather together in Parish Hall:
Bread of Life Lesson
How We Receive/Why We Receive
Receiving Walk-through/Q&A
Banner materials and assembly
Parents attend this retreat starting at 9:00 a.m.

16. First Communion Mass
First Communion Mass is on Sunday, April 30, 2017.
Practice will take place the week before.
Wednesday, April 26th at 7:00 p.m.
If the number of candidates warrants, then a second First Communion Mass will be scheduled for April 30 with a separate practice set in an evening the week before.
Ideally, candidates will receive sacrament as a collective group.
There will be only one practice session for each FC Mass.
FC Mass scheduling will be finalized after November 13th Inscription Mass.

17. Class #13: THE MASS We gather together as one family
Guide through the Order of the Mass
Liturgical prayers and responses
How to live the Mass each day
Sadlier.com/religion

18. Logistics Photography Videography Attire
Local photographer information will be provided to families who wish to contract with the photographer separately for individual FC photos;
Photographers can schedule church access for posed shots through the Parish Office.
Videography
The First Communion Mass will be video recorded by a professional videographer contracted through the Parish;
Each FC family will receive a free copy of the professionally edited DVD by early June.
Attire
“Sunday Best” is the only guideline;
Boys typically wear blazer, collared shirt, slacks,
tie and non-sneaker shoes;
Boys’ white suits are permissable, but not required;
Girls typically wear white dress and shoes (flats, small heel);
Veils (wreaths, clips, …) and gloves are optional;
If gloves are worn, they must be removed before receiving

19. Going Forth Mass/Crowning of Mary
Sunday, May 7
Themed:
Going Forth to Love & Serve the Lord & One Another
First Communicants will present crown and process in at the beginning of the 10:30 a.m. mass.
Potluck style breakfast following 10:30 a.m. mass
First Communion attire optional

20. Before the First Class TODAY, if possible PRIOR TO CLASS
Payment – $50.00 for expenses
Cash or Checks payable to “St. Anne Parish”
First Communion Registration Form
Confirmation of Parish Registration, Baptism Information, RE Completion, etc.
Confirmation of Contact Information
Parish Registration Form, if needed
PRIOR TO CLASS
Discussion with candidate about their baptism (who, where, …)
TO JOANNE BY FIRST CLASS
Copy of Baptismal Certificate
If candidate was baptized at St. Anne, then all set
If candidate was baptized at other parish, parent needs to call the parish to obtain a copy of certificate
Photo of baptism
Sacramental Preparation Class Fee, if not made prior
CORI paperwork if volunteering in classroom – through Parish Office

21. What Can We Be Doing at Home to Prepare?
Attend mass regularly as a family
Find opportunity for prayer:
Before meals
At bedtime
When prayer requests are
made by members of the community
When watching/listening/streaming the news
At mass