1. St. Matthew the Apostle Parish
1st Eucharist Parent Meeting

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

3. Overview of First Eucharist Program *DATES TO REMEMBER*
Sat. 4/29/17 – 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 1st Eucharist Banner for Pew (Name/date label provided – affix to back of banner before returning)
Banner making time can be a wonderful connecting moment for parents/child – check point at a relaxed time – don’t rush it!

4. 1st Eucharist/Rehearsal Schedule
1st Eucharist Celebration
Rehearsal Date
Rehearsal Time
Sun. May 7th 10:00 AM
Wed. 05/03/17
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Sun. May 14th 10:00AM
Wed. 05/10/17
Sun. May 21st 10:00 AM
Wed. 05/17/17
Be on time for rehearsal – NOT interchangable each is specific for the Mass

5. Special Occasion
Sun. 05/14, 10:00 AM May Crowning Liturgy (Mother’s Day)
Summer schedule mass time; parish recognition; community aspect of church; cake! Will need volunteers

6. 1st Eucharist Dress Guidelines
Special occasion = special clothing
PLEASE
Focus on WHY new clothes/family heirloom
White – reminder of Baptism
cleanse from original sin
1st Sacrament of initiation
Eucharist is the 2nd Sacrament of initiation
Confirmation is the 3rd Sacrament of initiation

7. 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
This is why it is so important to bring your children to Mass on a regular basis -

8. 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

9. 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

10. Things to do before 1st Eucharist:
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. 

11. 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
Every weekend there are 5 opportunities to attend Mass – LWWC – movement – child level homily readings
Child Liturgy – by young for young
SUNDAY MASS

12. Fr. Dan’s Letter to Parents
Dear 2nd 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,

13. Special notes for 1st Eucharist Mass:
NO pictures or videos during 1st 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 1st Eucharist
Includes parent who may not be Catholic

14. Eucharist Celebration-Seating
1st 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:
_________________________________ _________________________

15. 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

16. “SEEDS” by Kathy Mattea
Closing Song
“SEEDS” by Kathy Mattea
U3SG7A