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Dear Parents:
Welcome to a very special time in the life of your family. You have a child who is preparing to receive the Sacrament of
Eucharist. This is an important step in the faith journey of your child. S/He needs your help in preparing for this event.
Your child is counting on you to help them in many ways including:
- Making time and space for them to focus on the Sacrament
- Developing healthy pray habits.
- Demonstrating regular Mass attendance and stewardship
- Giving them ample opportunity to observe you good example at regular Mass attendance
- Review the banner symbols to understand more deeply the elements of liturgy and faith
Please read on for more suggestions on helping your child grow in faith; the promise you made at your child’s
baptism. May God bless you in this time of growth and joy.
PRAYERS
Our Eucharistic celebration is filled with prayer. By this time in your child’s faith journey they should know
several of our Catholic prayers including the Lord’s Prayer, Hail Mary, Glory Be, and the Apostle’s Creed.
This is a good time to review the prayers of the Mass to be sure your child is understanding the words we pray. Some suggestions
to help you ensure your child comprehension are:
Say the Rosary as a family at home once a week
Look through a Missal and study a new prayer each week
As a family, review a prayer, line by line, discussing each concept.
Developing a steady prayer life will help your child live a healthy spiritual life.
MASS BOOKS
We are all called to full, conscious, and active participation in the liturgy. Each child will be given a Mass book.
The book outlines the order of the Mass. Please take the time to read through the book with your child. They are invited to
bring it to Mass with them to follow along in it while they learn the postures and prayers of the Mass. Please assist your
child in following along and demonstrating appropriate Mass behavior. “Liturgy” means “work of the people.”
At home, life is more pleasant if everyone pitches in and helps out. It’s the same at Church, so let’s all
sing, pray, and participate!
APPROPRIATE ATTIRE
Attire for any celebration should be clean and neat. In the past, boys have chosen to wear blue suits. Girls have chosen
to wear white dresses. Pictures of previous celebrations are available for reference in the Parish Office. Please note the
following guidelines:
Hats should be removed when in the Church. Girls may wear veils.
NO GLOVES are to be worn during Mass. It is inappropriate to receive Eucharist with gloves on your hands. Gloves
may be worn for photos and the reception.
Your child’s attire should be appropriate for the occasion and convey a sense of modesty and reverence. Everything
you do teaches your child something. Please help them understand that this is a special day because of the Sacrament they
are receiving
MUSIC
In the Hebrew tradition, singing was a more appropriate way to pray to God. They believed that we should not speak to God
in the same tone we use to communicate to everyone else. Thus, when they prayed, they sang. This belief still lives in our
Church today. Parts of the Mass, such as the Responsorial Psalm, were written to be sung. To help your family
prepare to sing at our Solemn Celebration, children will review the songs in their classes with their teacher. We will all
practice our music at the Dressy Retreat. Parents, be sure you come ready to sing since you will have to carry the tune while
children concentrate on the tasks at hand. Being familiar with the music will make our celebration a richer experience for
everyone.
TEXT BOOKS
Your child will receive a textbook in their classroom. A Family Handouts will be sent home each week. Please complete the
sheets together as they are designed to be a joint activity.
RETREATS
MESSY RETREAT: Sunday, FEBRUARY 3RD 1:30-3:30PM Together,
we will make our banners, focusing on what the symbols tell us about the Mass.
DRESSY RETREAT: SUNDAY, APRIL 6TH 1:30-3:30PM—Together we will review what we’ve learned, practice our liturgical music, and rehearse
for our Solemn Celebration.
SOLEMN CELEBRATION MASS
Saturday, April 12th at 11:00am
We gather as community to praise God and receive Jesus at this special celebration .
FAMILY CELEBRATION
Celebrate the sacrament with your family at the Mass you regularly attend. Share the joy with the whole community. Arrange
a time and date with Angela Cropley, DRE, in the Parish Office.
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