1. Sacramental Preparation Parent Meeting First Eucharist

2. Sacramental Prep Parent Meeting Welcome Opening Prayer

3. Reflection & Discussion Think back to your own celebration of First Eucharist. What do you remember? What does receiving the sacrament of Eucharist mean for you as an adult?

4. Important Dates Assignment Due Dates –February 23 –March 16 –April 6 Retreat – April 10 –9:30AM -12:30PM First Eucharist – April 17 or April 18

5. Books

6. Using the Books Set aside a specific time during the week to work on the lessons. Set aside a specific time during the week to work on the lessons. The Family guide lays out everything you will do and what you will need for the lesson The Family guide lays out everything you will do and what you will need for the lesson Each chapter offers an introduction for the parent to read and reflect on before beginning the lesson with the child. Each chapter offers an introduction for the parent to read and reflect on before beginning the lesson with the child.

7. Using the Books Books follow the same format as the ones used for First Reconciliation preparation: Books follow the same format as the ones used for First Reconciliation preparation: –Celebrate the Ritual –Share the Scripture Story –Discover the Faith of the Church –Make a Difference –Together as a Family

8. Ending the Time with Your Child Review the part of the Mass referred to in the chapter Review the part of the Mass referred to in the chapter Complete assignment questions. Complete assignment questions. Practice/Discuss the two ways of receiving the Body of Christ Practice/Discuss the two ways of receiving the Body of Christ –On tongue –In hands

9. Ending the Time with Your Child Practice receiving communion Practice receiving communion –Make a small reverent bow (chin to chest) –If by hand, we use these phrases in teaching: Make a throne for Jesus Make a throne for Jesus Hold hands out flat at heart level Hold hands out flat at heart level –Make & maintain eye contact with the minister. –Say Amen in response to “Body/Blood of Christ” –Consume Body and Blood before returning to pew Conclude with the Closing Prayer given in the Family Guide. Conclude with the Closing Prayer given in the Family Guide.

10. Assignments Have your child answer the questions as they read the chapter. Have your child answer the questions as they read the chapter. Turn completed work into your child’s religion teacher by the due date listed on assignment sheet. Turn completed work into your child’s religion teacher by the due date listed on assignment sheet. These will help us assess your child’s understanding of the sacrament & readiness to receive. These will help us assess your child’s understanding of the sacrament & readiness to receive. Assignment sheets will be posted on the church website www.stmchurch.org Assignment sheets will be posted on the church website www.stmchurch.org

11. Mass Assignments There are only 30 spaces available per mass. There are only 30 spaces available per mass. Saturday, April 17 5:00PM Mass is full Saturday, April 17 5:00PM Mass is full Sunday, April 18 10:00AM Mass is full Sunday, April 18 10:00AM Mass is full Sunday April 18 12:00N Mass has 10 spaces available. Sunday April 18 12:00N Mass has 10 spaces available. If you do not see your child’s name listed for any of the mass times, please see Sarah at the end of the meeting. If you do not see your child’s name listed for any of the mass times, please see Sarah at the end of the meeting.

12. Retreat Volunteers In the packet there is a list of volunteers for the retreat on April 10 and what area they volunteered to help with. In the packet there is a list of volunteers for the retreat on April 10 and what area they volunteered to help with. Reminders to volunteers will be mailed prior to the retreat. Reminders to volunteers will be mailed prior to the retreat.

13. Dress Code- Girls Dress Dress –Traditionally white (but not required) –Can have embellishments of any color Nice shoes Nice shoes Optional items Optional items –Gloves –Veils –Other hair adornments

14. Dress Code - Boys Slacks Slacks –blue, black, or khaki Dress shirt Dress shirt –Any color Nice shoes Nice shoes Tie Tie – can be clip-on Optional item Optional item –jacket

15. Photography NO pictures or video recordings will be allowed during the celebration of Mass except by the designated professional photographer. NO pictures or video recordings will be allowed during the celebration of Mass except by the designated professional photographer. Spencer’s Studios will be taking portraits (individual or family) in the cafeteria beginning 1 hour and 15 minutes before and ending 15 minutes before your assigned Mass time. Spencer’s Studios will be taking portraits (individual or family) in the cafeteria beginning 1 hour and 15 minutes before and ending 15 minutes before your assigned Mass time. Every child will have his/her picture taken as they receive Communion from Fr. Tom. Every child will have his/her picture taken as they receive Communion from Fr. Tom. Purchase of any portraits and photos is optional Purchase of any portraits and photos is optional

16. Special Seating Requests Last page of packet is a form to request special seating for the following reasons: Last page of packet is a form to request special seating for the following reasons: –Less than 5 family members attending Mass –A relative with limited mobility (ie walker, crutch, cane or wheelchair) –Related to another family and you wish to be seated near each other or in same pew.

17. First Eucharist Retreat Saturday, April 10 Saturday, April 10 9:30AM – 12:30PM 9:30AM – 12:30PM At least one parent must join us in the church at 11:45AM for practice At least one parent must join us in the church at 11:45AM for practice

18. Retreat Dress Dress –Comfortable clothes Arrival Arrival –Begin arriving at 9:00AM –Sign child in at main doors of the Activity Center –Volunteers arrive with your child by 8:45AM –All volunteers must be here by 9:15AM Pickup Pickup –Retreat will be dismissed from the Church after rehearsal

19. Retreat – Parental Participation At least one parent or adult family representative must be present in the church at 11:45AM for rehearsal and final reminders regarding day of First Eucharist At least one parent or adult family representative must be present in the church at 11:45AM for rehearsal and final reminders regarding day of First Eucharist Letter to your child Letter to your child –Opportunity to share with your child how proud you are that they are participating in this sacrament. –Due with child’s assignment #1 on Feb. 23 –Form will be available on church website www.stmchurch.org

20. Day of First Eucharist Sign in child at the cafeteria by 30 minutes prior to your assigned mass time. Sign in child at the cafeteria by 30 minutes prior to your assigned mass time. Portraits begin 1 hr 15 min prior and finish 15 min prior to start of mass. Portraits begin 1 hr 15 min prior and finish 15 min prior to start of mass. Pews will be assigned randomly for each mass taking into consideration any special requests. Pews will be assigned randomly for each mass taking into consideration any special requests.

21. Day of First Eucharist Each family will have one full pew reserved. Each family will have one full pew reserved. Children will process into the church ahead of priest at the beginning of Mass. Children will process into the church ahead of priest at the beginning of Mass. Fr. Tom will call the children forward to sit on the floor in front of the sanctuary for his homily and to gather around him at the altar during the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Fr. Tom will call the children forward to sit on the floor in front of the sanctuary for his homily and to gather around him at the altar during the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

22. Day of First Eucharist Children will return to pews for the Our Father. Children will return to pews for the Our Father. When it is time to receive communion: When it is time to receive communion: –Child and two adults will be directed to stand in line –Child will go forward first to receive from Fr. Tom. –Picture will be taken at this point –Two adults will then receive. –Adults are asked to stand at the first pew so a clear photo of your child may be taken. –Please be aware that another child is coming forward to receive after the adults and try not to block the photographers shot.

23. Day of First Eucharist Please remind family members that no photographs or video recordings are allowed during mass except by the designated person. Please remind family members that no photographs or video recordings are allowed during mass except by the designated person. Those who will be receiving on Sunday, please be aware that the previous Mass may still be going on when you arrive and parking may not be readily available. Those who will be receiving on Sunday, please be aware that the previous Mass may still be going on when you arrive and parking may not be readily available.

24. Day of First Eucharist Fasting before Mass Fasting before Mass –Rule is that you should not eat at least one hour prior to receiving communion. –Please make sure that if your child needs to eat that he or she has done so early enough to allow for the hour fast. Reception Reception –There will be a cake and punch reception in the Activity Center after every Mass. –Certificates and a small gift from the parish will be given out at the reception.

25. Day of First Eucharist Nursery will be open during the 10:00AM Mass as usual. Nursery will be open during the 10:00AM Mass as usual. –If not enough families request nursery services for the 5:00PM and 12:00N Masses the nursery will not be open. Children will not be part of the recessional. Children will not be part of the recessional.

26. Last questions or comments?

27. Please See Sarah if your child’s name is listed below: Aidan Roberts Aidan Roberts Jay Wardlaw Jay Wardlaw Nicholas Khemmanyvong Nicholas Khemmanyvong