Sacrament of Reconciliation and Sacrament of Eucharist Parent Handbook

Transcription

1 St. Anthony Youth Faith Formation Sacrament of Reconciliation and Sacrament of Eucharist Parent Handbook Father Greg Skowron, Pastor Christi Breitbarth Co-Director of Youth Faith Formation , ext

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome Letter 3 Reconciliation Sacrament History 4 Preparing Your Child for the Sacrament and Curriculum 5 Reconciliation Dates and Dress 6 Eucharist Sacrament History 8 Curriculum 9 Mass Liturgy 11 First Communion Liturgy, Dates and Dress Code 12 Pictures, Retreat and Fees 13 Attachments Requirements for Sacraments 14 Calendar of Events 14 Request Form 14 2

3 Dear Parents, Can you remember when you received the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time? What about your First Communion? Celebrating a sacrament for the first time is an important step in the life of your child as a Catholic. Most of us have clear memories of celebrating these sacraments tucked away somewhere, you may even have your dress or mass booklet in a special place. St. Anthony Youth Faith Formation program is excited and honored to help in the preparation of your child for both of these sacraments. This Parent Handbook will provide you the information about the catechesis your child will be receiving, how you can help your child at home, and give the details about the upcoming liturgies to celebrate each sacrament. Please take the time to read through the entire handbook, as this will be the main form of communication. Parent participation and support is crucial in the spiritual development of each child. As a family, attendance at weekly mass is the best form of support and education you can provide your child. It will bring the classroom teachings alive as your child can experience all that they are being taught. We celebrate mass Saturday evening at 5:00 p.m. and on Sunday mornings at 7:30, 9:00 and 11:00 am. The liturgies for each sacrament will be similar to those of last year. Please read the handbook to see the specific changes from past years and why these changes have been made. We are making every effort to create a welcoming and family centered liturgy for your child at each sacrament. If you have questions throughout the year, please feel free to contact me at anytime. I will gladly discuss the program with you. God Bless, Christi Breitbarth The Sacrament of Reconciliation 3

4 The tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear him, at which the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." Then he addressed this parable to them: " Which among you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wasteland and follow the one until he finds it? And when he finds it, he puts it on his shoulders in jubilation. Once arrived home, he invites friends and neighbors in and says to them, 'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you, there will likewise be more joy in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to repent." ~ Luke 15:1-7 Since your child was an infant you have been teaching him or her how to make good choices and to recognize the difference between good and bad actions. This important task of teaching your child to make good choices also took place when you explained how to share, how to speak respectfully to others, and how to play fairly. You, yourself, modeled these behaviors too; perhaps you said you were sorry when you had been unkind. These actions teach your child to do the same. How the Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated may have changed considerably since the time when you first received it as a child. But some things remain constant. The primary lessons about forgiveness and acceptance continue to come from family experiences. Your child has probably experienced this many times when she or he has had to express sorrow for an unloving or selfish act at home. When you have forgiven your child during such times, you set an example of love and forgiveness. Through your actions, your child has learned to trust and say I m sorry. It is through these normal forgiving moments that your child grows in his or her trust in God. How do I know if my child is ready to receive the sacrament of reconciliation? Look for these signs: Recognizes the differences between accidental and deliberate wrong. Understands the need to say, I m sorry when he or she hurts another person. Forgives others when they hurt him or her. What concepts does a child need to understand to receive the sacrament of reconciliation? Look for an understanding of the following concepts: People need to say, I m sorry for what they have done wrong and try to make up with those they have hurt. God is always willing to forgive those who are truly sorry, but asks them to forgive others in return. The priest and the church have a special role in bringing us God s forgiveness. 4

5 Prior to your child s preparation: Take a close look at how forgiveness takes place in your family: Do family members have a good sense of what is expected of them and a reasonable understanding of what will happen if these expectations are not met? Are hurts and problems talked through when they happen? Are problems dealt with patiently and consistently? Do parents and children feel comfortable apologizing when mistakes are made? Do parents and children know they are consistently loved, even when they make a mistake? The Sacrament of Reconciliation Text: The curriculum for the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be the Sadlier s book: First Reconciliation. The purpose of the curriculum is to give the children a beginning experience of what it means to know right from wrong, to be sorry, and to make up or reconcile. It helps them understand everyone s need, both to ask forgiveness and to give forgiveness. Each of the six sessions contains: A Scripture story that provides a framework for understanding the aspect of Reconciliation being explained. Catechesis on part of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. A special page to show the children a summary of the session objectives and ideas Activities and questions in every lesson to engage the child s imagination, memory and reasoning. At Home activity encouraging and assisting parental involvement. The Scope and Sequence below shows each story and objective to be covered in class. First Reconciliation: Scope and Sequence Chapter Theme Scripture Reconciliation Family Focus 1 Following Jesus CCC: 386, 1779 The Forgiving Father Jesus shows us how to make loving choices Preparing for choices 2 Following God s Law CCC: 1962, 1968 The Greatest Commandment (Matthew 22:35-39 Living the Ten Commandments: Sin Understanding God s Law 3 Being Sorry, Being Forgiven CCC: The Forgiven Woman (Luke 7:36-40, 44-50) The meaning of sorrow and forgiveness: an Act of Contrition Saying I m sorry at home 4 Examination of Conscience CCC: 1454, 1779 The Lost Sheep (Luke 15:4-7) Examination of Conscience Formation of Conscience 5 Celebrating Reconciliation CCC: 1443, 1456, 1458 Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10) Celebrating the Sacrament Preparing to Celebrate Reconciliation 6 Living as Peacemakers CCC: 1829, 1832 Jesus and the Children (Mark 10:13-16) Sharing the Peach of Christ The Family as Peacemaker CCC=Catechism of the Catholic Church 5

6 Rite of Reconciliation o We examine our conscience and are sorry for our sins. We promise not to sin again. o We confess our sins to the priest. o We receive a penance. o We pray an Act of Contrition. o The priest gives us absolution, and we thank God for His mercy. The Act of Contrition The St. Anthony Parish will teach and use the following version for the sacrament of reconciliation. Oh my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, And I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell; But most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, To do penance and to amend my life. Amen. Please note there are several forms of the Act of Contrition, all are acceptable during the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The Reconciliation Family Project During November, a Family Reconciliation project will be sent home with your child from class. This will include learning materials, a craft project and a family prayer for you to complete at home. The purpose of the project is to include the family in the preparation of First Reconciliation for your child. The Reconciliation Liturgy Reconciliation Liturgies will be celebrated during January. Father Greg and other visiting priests will be present to hear the confessions of each child and members of their family. The evening will begin with a communal prayer and end with individual confessions. Hospitality in the Parish Hall will follow to celebrate your child s First Reconciliation. Thursday, January 8th at 4:30 p.m. will be the Reconciliation Liturgy for those children attending Tuesday- A, Tuesday B and Thursday-A YFF Session. Check in is at 4:10 p.m. Thursday, January 8th at 7:00 p.m. will be the Reconciliation Liturgy for those children attending Wednesday-A, Wednesday-B YFF Session, Noonan Academy, and Family Sacrament Class Students. Check in is at 6:40 p.m. The children should dress in church attire (no jeans, sweats or gym shoes). Celebrating the sacrament with your child as family will be a special occasion. Parents and siblings are encouraged to receive the sacrament with him or her. Make the experience a festive one. Commemorate it as another sign of your child s coming of age, his or her willingness to take part in the life of the family and parish in new and growthful ways. First Reconciliation should initiate the start of regular reception of the sacrament. Talk together about how to make reconciliation part of your family life and faith journey. 6

7 Reconciliation Home Activities o Look for and encourage opportunities to use the phrases, I love you, I am sorry, and I forgive you with each other. o Decide on a time when you will gather as a family to share hurts and mend fences. o When you watch TV together use commercial time to talk about the actions portrayed on TV that either affirm or conflict with your own beliefs about God s love and mercy or the need for forgiveness and reconciliation. o Make a habit of making peace with each other before going to bed. o Attend a parish reconciliation service as a family, especially during Advent or Lent. o Use opportunities that are part of everyday family life to talk with young children about the difference between mistakes and sin. Forgive me Father... 7

8 The Sacrament of Eucharist Jesus said: I am the living bread that came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and... abides in me, and I in him. Jn 6:51, 54, 56 When a toddler moves from the high chair to the family table, it is a celebration! This new seat signifies a change from baby or toddler to that of big boy or big girl. The move brings new privileges and allows the child to become an active participant at the family table. First Communion parallels this family move, and is just as significant in the journey of faith of your child. The St. Anthony Catholic Community welcomes the awesome opportunity to share this powerful sacrament of God s great love with your child and family. The components of the sacramental programs are the beginning to and living out the Christian life. By attending such programs, the child and family are saying they want to be Catholics- with a living and active faith. St. Anthony s wants your child to prepare with the YFF class work, but also to include living the faith in daily life and by joining with the parish family for Sunday liturgies. The celebration of First Communion is not just about one day, but rather a way of life. How do I know when my child is ready to receive the sacrament of the Eucharist? What concepts should my child understand to receive the sacrament of the Eucharist? A readiness for communion is obvious when the child expresses a desire for it and is able to distinguish it from ordinary bread and wine. The first question to ask yourself is, "Is my child at Mass regularly?" If your child is at Mass each Sunday and is capable of paying attention to what is going on, that's the first step. The second question to ask is, "Does my child have a sincere desire to share in the Eucharist?" When children attend mass regularly, eventually they want to participate more fully. This is a logical progression that leads the child to ask, "When can I go to communion?" Finally, ask yourself, "Does my child understand that this consecrated bread and wine is truly the Body and Blood of Jesus?" 8

9 The Sacrament of Eucharist Text The students will begin using the Sadlier text First Eucharist in January as they begin learning the concepts about Eucharist. The purpose of the program is to engage the children and their families so that sacrament preparation becomes a significant moment for ongoing faith formation; the children are prepared to celebrate the Sacrament of Eucharist for the first time with reverence, understanding, and hope; catechesis of the Eucharist presented is consistent with Vatican II theology; and the liturgy of the Mass is the central expression of our Catholic faith in which Christ is really present to us. There are six sessions with each containing: o A Scripture story providing the framework for understanding the part of the Mass being explained. o Catechesis on an age appropriate level about the part of the Mass being presented. o Responses for each part of the Mass. o Activities and questions. o Family Focus and At Home pages encouraging parent participation. The scope and sequence of the curriculum: First Eucharist: Scope and Sequence Chapter Theme Scripture Reconciliation Family Focus 1 Multiplication of the We Gather Together loaves The Sacrifice of the Mass Preparing at home CCC: 1348 and fishes Introductory Rites 2 (John 6:1-4, 8-13) Responses to the Rite We Listen Praising God Liturgy of the Word (Psalm 148: 1, 3, 7, 9, CCC: , 13) Responses to the readings Listening to God's Word We Give Gifts God's care for us Preparation of the Gifts Our gifts to God 3 CCC: 1350 (Matthew 6:25-32) Responses to preparation of the gifts We Remember The Last Supper Liturgy of the Eucharist The real Holy, holy, holy; 4 CCC: 1353, 1354 (Luke 22:19-20) Proclamation presence of Jesus 5 of faith; Great Amen We Receive Jesus The Our Father Holy Communion CCC: 1364, 1365, The Our Father; Lamb of 1386 (Luke 11:1-4) God Receiving Jesus often Receiving Holy Communion Jesus Is With Us Always You are the light Concluding Rite Living the Eucharist in daily 6 CCC: 1396, 1397 of the world Responses to the Rite life (Matthew 5: 14-16) CCC=Catechism of the Catholic Church 9

10 The Parts of Liturgy of the Mass o Our celebration begins. The Priest and Deacon go to the altar. We stand and sing a welcome song. o We make the Sign of the Cross. The priest welcomes us with these words: The Lord be with you. We answer, And also with you. o We remember our sins. Before we begin the liturgy, we ask God to forgive us. o We listen to God s word in two readings from the Bible. At the end of each reading we say, Thanks be to God. o The Priest or Deacon reads the Gospel story. We stand and listen to the good news of Jesus. We say, Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. o The priest or deacon explains the readings to us in a special talk called the homily. We listen carefully. o We stand and pray the Prayers of the Faithful. We ask God to help the Church, our country, and all of God s people. o We bring the gifts of bread and wine to the altar for the special meal with Jesus. We remember that Jesus always loves us. o The Priest offers our gifts of bread and wine to God. o We thank and praise God for all of our blessings. We especially thank God for the gift of Jesus. o The Priest prays as Jesus did at the Last Supper. Our gifts of bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. o The priest holds up the Body and Blood of Jesus. He says a prayer to praise God. We answer Amen. o We say the Lord s Prayer. This is the prayer that Jesus taught us to say. o We offer one another a Sign of Peace. This is a sign that reminds us to live as Jesus teaches us to live. o When we share Jesus Body and Blood in the Eucharist, we promise to act like Jesus. o We receive God s blessing through the Body and Blood of Jesus in communion. We answer, Amen which means I believe. Together we sing a communion song that gives thanks and praise for the gift of Jesus in the Eucharist. o We go in peace to love and serve all people. o After receiving Jesus in communion, we are called to be Christ to others. 10

11 The First Communion Liturgy This year, the liturgy for First Communion will reflect the changes occurring in many parishes around the country. First, the Sacrament of First Holy Communion will be taking place within a regular Sunday Mass rather than a special mass. In Dies Domini (on keeping the Lord's day holy), a 1998 apostolic letter, Pope John Paul II asks that Masses for special groups not be celebrated as an individual mass, but rather on Sundays with the parish community. Celebrating First Communion within the regular Sunday parish Mass makes sense for a number of reasons. After First Communion, the Sunday Mass is where most children will receive the Eucharist most often. They have joined in celebration with the whole parish, and their initial celebration should reflect this. If we celebrate it out of a Sunday liturgy, are we sending the message that this is a onetime event? Celebrating First Communion as a parish community reinforces that each weekend we gather as a community to praise and worship together. Second, Church documents, such as the General Directory for Catechesis, remind us that catechesis is the responsibility of the whole parish. The children should be with the whole parish community when they celebrate the sacraments of initiation. Children and families belong to the parish, not just to a religious formation program. They will belong to a parish for the rest of their life. We should help them to experience this as a community, building memories of parish experiences. Finally, celebrations such as First Communion are an important teaching tool for the parish as whole. Seeing individuals celebrate the sacrament for the first time can renew our own appreciation for this wonderful gift. The gift of the Eucharist unites all of us; it unites everyone with all of God s family. Another important change is that of celebrating "family-style" versus all first communicants sitting and processing together. In the past, part of the charm and photo opportunity of first Communion celebrations has been having the communicants process down the aisle at the beginning of Mass in two lines (one for boys and one for girls) to take their seats at the front of the church and process to the altar in two lines to receive communion before the rest of the congregation. This centers the liturgy around the family. The first communicant will process with his or her parents at the beginning of the liturgy. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states parents are called the "primary catechists" of their children and the family is referred to as the "domestic church." It is therefore fitting that the child be presented for his or her first reception of Eucharist (as for baptism) by the family. This form also highlights the fact that the child is joining the rest of his or her family at the Eucharistic table for the first time. 11

12 The first communicant will sit in the front pews with his or her parents. The rest of the family is invited to sit anywhere in the church other than the pews reserved for First Communicants and their parents. Some may wonder how this will make it special for the first communicant. The liturgy will involve the children: they will be part of the procession, one child will read the first reading, the homily will contain a message for all ages gathered, First Communicants will help with dressing the altar, the presentation of gifts and Father Greg will give a special blessing to First Communion families at the end of mass. Focus will not be on the child's first reception of the Eucharist, but rather will focus on lifelong celebration of the sacrament. While a child's First Communion is certainly a time for special celebration, it should be the beginning of a lifelong celebration of the sacrament. Each time we receive the Eucharist, we receive Christ himself, and we understand this even more deeply as we grow in knowledge of the faith. While some things change, some things remain the same. The Eucharist is the "source and summit of the Christian life." May we all be renewed and refreshed as we welcome our children to the table. First Communion Liturgy Dates The dates for First Communion liturgies will be: Saturday, May 2, :00 p.m. Sunday, May 3, :00 a.m. Saturday, May 9, :00 p.m. Sunday, May 10, :00 a.m. Saturday, May 16, :00 p.m. Sunday, May 17, :00 a.m. There will be 40 First Communicants and their families at each mass. Enclosed is a request form for each student. Each family will rank in order the date and time they would like to have for their First Communicant celebrate his or her First Holy Communion. To be fair to all families, the forms will HAVE TO BE MAILED back to the parish with a post-date of November 1 st or later. If it is post-dated prior to November 1 st, the form will be RETURNED TO YOU to be mailed at the proper date. ALL FORMS NEED TO BE RECEIVED BY MAIL, no one may turn them in at the office. The forms will be numbered and processed in the order they are received. ALL FORMS ARE DUE NOVEMBER 15 TH. DATES WILL BE ASSIGNED TO THOSE WHO DO NOT RETURN FORMS BY THE 15 TH. You will be notified of your date after DECEMBER 15 TH. We will try to serve each families needs to the best of our ability. Attire The dress code for the children will be proper church clothes. The girls wear a white dress, veil, stockings and dress shoes. Gloves are discouraged during the mass liturgy. The boys wear a shirt, tie, dress pants, and dress shoes. They may also wear a suit coat if they wish. The shirt and tie may be any color. 12

13 Pictures We ask that pictures or videos be taken only from the pew during the First Communion Liturgies. Parents are asked to convey this message to visiting family members. Following Mass, pictures may be taken with the priests, around the altar, with family or friends, in the prayer garden - whatever you wish. Sacramental Fee A sacramental fee for Reconciliation and Eucharist is charged to cover additional costs associated with the Sacrament Program. YFF fees cover the cost of books, resources, supplies, copies, etc. A Sacramental Fee of $50.00 was added to your family bill at registration. First Communion Retreat & Practice All students and at least one parent will need to attend a First Communion Retreat and Practice. Your date will be determined by your First Communion date. The evening will run about 90 minutes. Together, we will spend time reflecting on the special day. We will also practice receiving the Eucharist, the student parts of the liturgy, and where each family will sit. The First Communion Retreat and Practice will be on Monday, April 27 th at 4:30 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. depending on your communion date. 13

14 St. Anthony Catholic Community Reconciliation and Eucharist Commitments Please read this ENTIRE document. You are accountable for completing these requirements.! Candidate must be properly instructed, by completing Catechesis with the Youth Faith Formation program, attending at least 10 of the 12 sessions.! Completion of Service Program requirements (three liturgical and three parish community and family service)! Candidate must wear appropriate dress for the ceremony. Calendar of Events: October 15th: 1. Parent Handbook Distributed with Request Form Attached. November: 1. Request forms must be postmarked after November 1 st. ***IF POSTMARKED PRIOR TO 11/01/08, YOUR REQUEST FORM WILL BE MAILED BACK TO YOU. All forms are due by November 15, 2008, otherwise a date will be assigned. December: 1. Letters to be mailed home stating the child s First Communion Liturgy Date January: 1. First Reconciliation Thursday, January 8th at 4:30pm will be the Reconciliation Liturgy for those children attending Tuesday-A, Tuesday-B, and Thursday-A YFF Session. Thursday, January 8th at 7:00pm will be the Reconciliation Liturgy for those children attending Wednesday-A, Wednesday-B YFF Session, Noonan Academy and Family Sacrament Class Students. March: 1. All change requests for First Communion Dates must be made by March 1 st. 2. Letters will be sent home confirming First Communion Liturgy and stating what the First Communicants role will be during the Liturgy. April: 1. First Communion Retreat and Practice a. Monday, April 27 th at 4:30pm or 7:00pm depending on your First Communion Liturgy. 2. First Communion Liturgies: a. Saturday, May 2, :00 p.m. b. Sunday, May 3, :00 a.m. c. Saturday, May 9, :00 p.m. d. Sunday, May 10, :00 a.m. e. Saturday, May 16, :00 p.m. f. Sunday, May 17, :00 a.m. St. Anthony Catholic Community Youth Faith Formation 14

15 Eucharist Request Form Please rank in order the dates for your child s First Holy Communion with one being your first and so forth. Please rank all dates. If you do not, and your first choice in not available, a date will be assigned to you. We will be placing 260 families. Saturday, May 2, :00 p.m. Sunday, May 3, :00 a.m. Saturday, May 9, :00 p.m. Sunday, May 10, :00 a.m. Saturday, May 16, :00 p.m. Sunday, May 17, :00 a.m. Please rank in order all dates with 1 being your first choice and 6 your last choice. Please note any family members, such as cousins, you would like to be with: Candidates Name: (First, Middle, Last Name as it will appear on the sacrament certificate) PLEASE PRINT We have read, understand, and agree to follow the policies and procedures set in place for my child s celebration of Reconciliation and Eucharist. Parent Signature: Please mail to: St. Anthony Youth Faith Formation, Christi Breitbarth, 7661 Sauk Trail, Frankfort, IL To be fair to all families, the forms will HAVE TO BE MAILED back to the parish with a post-date of November 1 st or later. If it is post-dated prior to November 1 st, the form will be RETURNED TO YOU to be mailed at the proper date. ALL FORMS NEED TO BE RECEIVED BY MAIL, no one may turn them in at the office. The forms will be numbered and processed in the order they are received. ALL FORMS ARE DUE NOVEMBER 15 TH. DATES WILL BE ASSIGNED TO THOSE WHO DO NOT RETURN FORMS BY THE 15 TH. You will be notified of your date after DECEMBER 15 TH. 15