September 25, 2016 Gospel, Luke 9:1-6

Transcription

1 First Reconciliation & First Communion Parent Guide

2 September 25, 2016 Gospel, Luke 9:1-6 Verse 6: So they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere. Greetings in Christ! In the gospel reading Luke 9:16, Jesus sent his disciples out to spread the good news and to heal his people. He continues to rely on his disciples to do the same today. As church, we grow in communion with Him through mass and His Sacraments. We become one body in Christ through the Eucharist. We embody Christ within and share His love with all we meet. Through absolution and pennance we are healed from daily sins and renewed once again in His life giving spirit. With Jesus all things are possible. We have to be attentive to doing everything we can to avoid sin, but also to avoid the terrible sin of avoiding doing anything about sin. Jesus, recognizing that we would always struggle, gives us the gift, the cure in the Sacrament of Reconiciliation. Through Confession, Penance, and Reconciliation we are forgiven of our sins and given the grace to sin less. We take steps to be purified by utilizing the gifts God gives us. The Sacrament of Reconiciliation also points us to union with God. Believing in God s grace, and allowing ourselves to be restored to grace through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we open ourselves to complete unity with Christ in the Holy Eucharist and ultimately to be united with Him in heaven for all eternity with the other saints. Every day we walk with Christ we are given the opportunity and challenge to be saints. We are given the freedom to love Him and others, or to reject that same freedom. We as parents are given this opportunity in a special way in our relationship with our children. We are given the blessing, challenge and incredible responsibility of having a hand in bringing our little ones face to face with God in the Sacraments, so that we and they will one day be united with Him forever in heaven. The gift of the Eucharist is the gift of Christ totally given. It is the gift of Communion with Him who spoke all of existence into being. It is the most complete and perfect gift any of us could be given this side of heaven. This gift is so precious, we are also given the gift of the Sacrament of Reconciliation so that we might be more worthy to be united with Christ in Holy Communion. Truly our God is so good!

3 BLESSED IMEDLA LAMBERTINI PATRON SAINT OF FIRST COMMUNICANTS Imelda was born in 1322 in Bologna, Italy, the only child of Count Egano Lambertini and Castora Galuzzi. Her parents were devout Catholics and were known for their charity and generosity to the poor of Bologna. As a very young girl, Imelda had a burning desire to receive Christ in the Most Holy Eucharist. On her fifth birthday, she requested this privilege; however the custom at the time was that children did not receive their First Holy Communion until age 12. Imelda was sorely disappointed but knew the time would come soon enough. As time went by, her desire for the Blessed Sacrament grew, and she loved Jesus more than ever. To show this love, she joined a community of sisters known as Dominicans because they followed the teachings of St. Dominic. Imedla was age nine when she entered the convent, which was unusual for a girl at her age. There it would be easier to wait for her First Communion, in deep prayer and conversation with God. On May 12, 1333, she finally got her wish. As she knelt in prayer in the chapel of the convent, the sacristan, who was the nun who helped set up the chapel for Mass every day, noticed a glowing Eucharistic Host floating over the head of Blessed Imelda while she prayed. The sacristan quickly ran to get the priest who returned to see the same miracle. The priest took this as a sign to allow Imelda to receive the Eucharist early. When she received her First Communion, she immediately was filled with overwhelming joy, and everyone could see this on her face, and even left Imelda alone in the chapel so that she could continue to draw closer to God by thanking Him in prayer for the Eucharist.

4 RECONCILIATION & HOLY COMMUNION BIBLE VERSE Purpose: To encourage children to read the Bible and better learn the Biblical roots of the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion. Hang the poster in a visable place at home for them to read during the year as they prepare for the Sacraments. What to do: Each student should create a separate poster for each of these projects containing the Bible verses that are below. In addition to including the Bible verses written out on the poster board, the students should decorate the posterboard as they see fit, based on the stories contained in the Bible verse. RECONCILIATION BIBLE VERSE FOR POSTER: John 20: Peace be with You Other Reconciliation bible verse to remember: James 5: 16 **NOTE: The reading from James mentions confessing one s sins to one another. This is a good time to both encourage your children about the importance of admitting when we hurt other people and the need to apologize and ask for forgiveness, but also the fact that one of the roles of the priest is to represent the people. This is why he leads us in prayers at Mass** HOLY COMMUNION VERSE FOR POSTER: John 6:48 I am the Bread of Life Other Communion bible versus to remember: John 6:53-56, 60, 66-69; 1 Corinthians 11:23-28

5 MASS PRAYERS TO PRACTICE REGULARLY **NOTE: These prayers all in addition to the prayers contained in back of the textbook parent guide. Those include: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Apostles Creed, Act of Contrition, and the Spiritual Communion Confetior I confess to almighty God, and to you my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned. In my thoughts, and in my words, in what I have done, and what I have failed to do. (while striking the breast) Through my fault, through my fault, through my most grevious fault. Therefore I ask the Blessed Mary Ever-virgin, all the angels and saints, and you my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord, our God. Gloria Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth, peace to people of good will. We praise You, we bless You, we adore You, we glorify You, we give You thanks for Your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, Almighty Father. Lord Jesus Christ (partial bow), Only begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, You take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, You take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. You are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For You alone are the Holy One, You alone are the Lord, You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ (partial bow). with the Holy Spirit in the glory of God the Father, Amen. Nicene Creed I believe in One God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ (partial bow) the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages God from God, Light from Light, True God from True God. begotten not made, consubstantial with the Father. Through Him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation, He came down from Heaven, (Full bow through and became man ) and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate, He suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His Kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord the Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. Who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins And I look forward to the resurrection of the dead, And the life of the world to come, Amen.

6 SOME TIPS ON PREPARING YOUR CHILDREN FOR THE SACRAMENTS OF RECONCILIATION AND HOLY COMMUNION Since parents have given children their life, they are bound by the most serious obligation to educate their offspring and therefore must be recognized as the primary and principal educators (2 nd Vatican Council, Declaration On Christian Education, Par. #3) Below are some of the simplest, yet most effective ways you can help your child(ren) prepare for their first reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and to embrace a desire to receive it regularly as needed, as well as their first reception of Holy Eucharist. FIRST RECONCILIATION Practice forgiveness and mercy in your home. Encourage your children to forgive when needed, and to be merciful when needed. Express your own forgiveness and mercy towards them, and apologize ro them as well when appropriate. Model the importance of the Sacrament of Reconcilation by receiving it regularly yourself. The power of freedom that comes through Confession is such a blessing in our lives, and the witness we give to our children is immeasurable. Pray daily with your children, and include in that prayer a request for God s forgiveness for the sins and failings of each member of the family throughout the day. Encourage your child(ren) to examine their conscienses daily. The best way to do this is by going through either (or both) the Ten Commandments or the Beatitudes and comparing the expectations of God with the choices they ve made throughout the day. **NOTE: There is an examen for children, based on The Beatitudes in this packet.** Invoke Mary intercession, by regularly praying the Rosary (even just a decade) and other Marian prayers like the Memorare and the Salve Regina/ Hail Holy Queen. Confession heals, confession justifies, confession grants pardon of sin, all hope consists in confession; in confession there is a chance for mercy. --St. Isidore of Seville

7 FIRST HOLY COMMUNION Model communion and intimacy in your family by spending family time together and helping each family member (especially children) understand their place in the family. Married couples should intentionally express the uniqeness of that close intimacy of marriage in a way that helps their children see how close God wants to be with them through Holy Communion. Share your joy and excitement about the wonder of being one with God in Holy Communion. Their excitement (and in many ways their believe in the Reality of the Eucharist) will flow from your example and teaching. Attend Holy Mass every week and on every Holy Day of Obligation. The importance of Holy Mass is immeasurable; there is no other way on earth to be more close to God than through the Holy Mass. Children become deeply confused when they are taught the eternal (literally) importance of attending Holy Mass and receiving Holy Communion and yet do not have this modeled at home. Model the importance of Mass by preparing for it as best as possible by reading the Mass readings ahead of time, dressing in a way that represents that Mass is the most important thing we can do this side of heaven, and by being on-time, or even early (things always happen, especially with young children ) to Mass. Engage in full, conscious, active participation (2 nd Vatican Council, Consititution on the Sacred Liturgy) by singing, praying verbally the responses, and praying silently during the periods of silent prayer, and encrouage your children to do the same. Attend Eucharistic Adoration regularly. The experience of Eucharistic Adoration is an extension of Holy Mass and the grace we receive from it (cf. Congregation for Divine Worship, Holy Communion and the Worship of the Eucharist Outside of Mass #4). Just as a couple grows in love and communion simply by spending time together in person, so too do we grow in intimacy with our Eucharistic Lord by attending Adoration. Ask for Our Lady s Intercession through the prayers mentioned before, but in a special way through her closeness with Christ. Mary is the First Tabernacle. She had Jesus, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity dwelling within her. We should turn to her and ask her to help us better understand the Mystery of the Eucharist and the mystery of being in Communion with Christ.

8 *** THE REMAINING PAGES CONTAIN REPRODUCEABLE RESOURCES THAT MAY BE USED TO HELP YOUR CHILD PREPARE DAILY/ WEEKLY FOR FIRST RECONCILIATION AND FIRST COMMUNION*** MY MASS CHECKLIST 1. Did I dress up in a way to show the importance of Mass and how much I love Jesus? 2. Did I bless myself with Holy Water and making the Sign of the Cross? 3. Did I genuflect towards the Tabernacle out of respect for Jesus? 4. Did I pray before Mass started, thanking God for being there, thinking about the things I need to be forgiven for, and thinking about who needs my prayers? 5. Did I sing the opening song? 6. Did I pray the opening prayers and make the necessary gestures (Sign of the Cross, striking my chest during the Confetior, bowing at the Name of Jesus, etc.)? 7. The First Reading was from what Book? 8. The Responsorial Psalm was from what Psalm/ Book? 9. The Second Reading was from what Book? 10. The Gospel was from which Gospel? 11. Did I pay attention to Father s/ Deacon s Homily?

9 12. Did I pray the petitions for the Church and other people? 13. Did I pay attention to the words of the Liturgy of the Eucharist, and respond to all the responses, along with the Our Father, and offer peace to my family and others in the church? 14. Did I receive Holy Communion with excitement and joy, or if I m not able to yet, go up to receive a blessing and show my respect for Jesus in the Eucharist? 15. Did I sing the closing song, and then remember to pray and thank God for the Mass when it ended? STEP TWO: BE SORRY FOR YOUR SINS HOW TO GO TO CONFESSION STEP ONE: EXAMINE YOUR CONSCIENCE Pray to God and ask for the Holy Spirit to help you have a good Confession by helping you see all the sins you ve commtitted, and then use the Beatitudes or the 10 Commandments, which both come from God s Word the Bible, to think about what your did wrong, or didn t do right. God wants to forgive us, and give us the grace to not commit those sins again, but he also respects our choices so much that if we re not sorry for our sins and do not want to be forgiven, He won t forgive us. STEP THREE: GO TO CONFESSION Once in the Confessional, the priest acts In persona Christi. This means in the person of Christ. You are not confessing your sins to the priest, but to Jesus Himself! Jesus will forgive you through the priest. a) Make the Sign of the Cross and say: Bless me Father for I have sinned, it has been since I last went to Confession (if it is your first Confession, just tell the priest that) b) Tell the priest all the sins you can remember, including how many times you ve done them. c) Once you ve told him all that you can remember, end by saying and for all other sins I have committed but cannot remember. d) The priest will give you some advice, and give you a pennance to do (this is a prayer or an act of charity to show you are truly sorry), ask you to say an Act of Contrition, and then will bless you and forgive your sins through Jesus. This forgiveness is called Absolution.

10 TRADITIONAL ACT OF CONTRITION (YOU CAN ALWAYS MAKE UP YOUR OWN) O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You. I detest all my sins because of Your just punishmens, but most of all because they have offended You, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to ament my life, Amen. STEP FOUR: PENNANCE Whatever Penance your receive from the priest for your sins, complete it as quickly as you can.