Sacramental Preparation for Children

In order for a child to receive the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion, two years of Faith Formation are required.  Children must be enrolled for first and second grade in order to receive these sacraments in second grade. 

You are your child’s first catechist.  Our family-oriented Faith Formation program is here to help you.  It is God’s plan for a child to learn from his or her parents.  God chose you to be the parent of your child and He gives you specific grace to be a good parent.  You may be concerned that you do not know enough about your Catholic faith to teach your child.  In the Gospel, Jesus tells us “Be not afraid.”  Participate in the various parent and family sessions that are available.  Have confidence that they Holy Spirit will give you the grace to learn what you need to know.  You can learn together with your child!  Remember that learning our faith is a lifelong journey.

First Reconciliation

Also known as Confession or Penance, the Sacrament of Reconciliation helps you and your child to grow in holiness.  As parents, it is very important for you to foster a love for this sacrament.  In Reconciliation, we encounter the mercy and love of Christ.  By your example of receiving this sacrament often, your child will learn that this sacrament both heals us and helps us to love out our Catholic faith in our daily lives.  Reconciliation teaches us that with God’s grace we may overcome sin and grow in virtue.  Please help your child to understand the beauty of this merciful gift.

• Parent Session – During the second week of October, 2^nd grade parent meetings will be held during each weekday session of Faith Formation. Attendance is mandatory.  Parents whose children are preparing for First Reconciliation must attend one of these parent meetings in order to properly prepare their child to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Please make arrangements for younger children when you attend one of these meetings.  If childcare is needed, please contact the Children’s Ministry office to find out which sessions will have childcare available.
• Family Learning Centers – The First Reconciliation Learning Centers will be available during the week of January 2.  The various activities at these centers will allow families to participate in hands-on activities to learn about reconciliation.  Participation in the Learning Centers is expected.
• First Reconciliation Workshop – Scheduled for November 5, 2011, attendance at the First Reconciliation workshop is mandatory.  One adult must attend the workshop with the child.  Families will come together as a community to participate in hands-on activities that reinforce the lessons that have been taught in class in a fun and engaging way.

First Holy Communion

This sacrament is also known as the Eucharist or the Blessed Sacrament.  The Eucharist is the source and summit of all of our sacraments.  All other sacraments lead to and flow out of the Eucharist.  Jesus Christ gives us the ultimate gift of His True Presence in the Eucharist.  As The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, Christ is truly present Body, Blood, soul and divinity in the Eucharist under the appearance of bread and wine (CCC, 1413).  As parents, your own love and devotion to the Mass and Eucharist will be a way of teaching your child by example.  In watching you, your child will come to know how much Jesus loves him or her.  An important part of helping your child prepare to receive this sacrament is to attend Mass regularly.  Engage your child in the Mass, encouraging him or her to follow along in the missal and teaching the appropriate responses and gestures.  

• Parent Session – During the second week of February, 2nd grade parent meetings will be held during each weekday session of Faith Formation. Attendance is mandatory.  Parents whose children are preparing for First Holy Communion must attend one of these parent meetings.  Please make arrangements for younger children when you attend one of these meetings.  If childcare is needed, please contact the Children’s Ministry office to find out which sessions will have childcare available.
• Family Learning Centers – The First Communion Learning Centers will be available during the week of March 18.  The various activities at these centers will provide families with an opportunity to participate in hands-on activities that will provide new ways to share their faith as the participants learn about the Eucharist.  Participation in the Learning Centers is expected.
• First Communion Workshop – Scheduled for March 3, 2012, attendance at the First Communion workshop is mandatory.  One adult must attend the workshop with the child.  Families will come together as a community to participate in hands-on activities that reinforce the lessons that have been taught in class in a fun and engaging way.

Outside Resources

To further your own growth in the lifelong process of learning the Catholic faith, a Catholic Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church are authentic resources.  Be careful when using internet sites, as not all information is accurate or true to the teachings of the Catholic Church.  If in doubt, ask one of our priests.  Below is a list of authentic resources that are available in bookstores and on-line.

Catechisms and useful guides to the Catholic Faith:

Catechism of the Catholic Church - contains the fundamental Christian truths formulated in a way that facilitates their understanding.

The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth – Organized parallel to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, this is an understandable and practical guide to all things Catholic.

The New St. Joseph Baltimore Catechisms—Comprised of short lessons, Question and Answer catechism, and assessments, these children’s catechisms explain the Church’s teachings in clear terms that are easy for children to understand.

The Catechism Handbook – Based on a yearlong series of articles that appeared in Liguorian magazine, this book provides a comprehensive summary of the content of the Catechism in an easy-to-read style.

The Catholic Source Book – This comprehensive collection of information is designed to help people of faith learn, renew, teach, and live the risen life of Jesus Christ in the Catholic Church.

50 Way to Tap the Power of the Sacraments – Written in 50 short, anecdote-filled chapters, this book presents how you can highlight the role of the sacraments in your family, allowing the sacraments to transform your family’s daily life.

Catholic Traditions:  Treasures New & Old - What is the Communion rail? How do you say the rosary? Why do we have statues of saints? In this book you will find answers to these questions and many others about Catholic traditions, rituals and nuances.

Nuts & Bolts: A Practical, How-to Guide for Explaining and Defending the Catholic Faith by Tim Staples.

What Catholic Really Believe: 52 Answers to Common Misconceptions about the Catholic Faith by Karl Keating.

On the Eucharist and the Mass:

Feast of Faith by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI)

God is Near Us by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) 

The Eucharist: At the Center of Pope John Paul II’s Pastoral Plan for the New Millennium by Father Bill McCarthy, MSA

www.vatican.va – The official web-site of the Holy See.

www.usccb.org – The official web-site of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. 

www.zenit.org  --Documents and Issues Concerning the Catholic Church

www.cathdal.org – The official web-site of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Dallas.

http://bishopfarrell.blogspot.com/ - The blog of Bishop Kevin Farrell.

www.catholic.org

http://www.catholic.com/

http://new.catholicmom.com  

http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/

http://www.ignatius.com/  Ignatius Press, a Catholic publishing company, has many solid, authentic Catholic books for the entire family.

www.osv.com  Our Sunday Visitor’s publishing website