FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
Since Christ himself said, ‘”This is my body”, who shall dare to doubt that it is His body?
Saint Cyril of Jerusalem
GENERAL INFORMATION
Alexis Witiak
Coordinator of Religious Education
610-932-5040
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
First Holy Communion Retreat
Saturday, April 27th at 10:00am
Mandatory for all students and parents.
First Holy Communion Mass
Saturday, May 4th at 10:00am
Please arrive no later than 9:30am
INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION MASS DETAILS
Mass for First Holy Communion will be held on Saturday, May 4th at 10:00am.
All students should arrive no later than 9:30am.
Communicants are to line up in the hall upon arrival as they will process into the Church at the beginning of Mass.
Families are to locate their child's banner and sit in the assigned pew. Your child will sit with you throughout the Mass. Please have them sit on the end of the pew next to the middle aisle.
RETREAT INFORMATION
The retreats for both parents and students will be held on Saturday, April 27th at 10:00am. These retreats are MANDATORY for all First Holy Communion students and parents.
Parents, please drop your child(ren) off at the Parish Hall and then head over to the Parish Center Cafe. The parent retreat will be lead by Deacon Justin Watkins.
Toward the end of the retreat, all students and parents will be able to go to Confession in the Church.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION BANNERS
A NOTE ON DRESS CODE
The traditional dress code for students is as follows:
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Gentlemen are expected to wear a white, navy, or black suit with a tie or bowtie, and dress shoes. However, they are also permitted to wear white, navy, or black slacks with a button-down dress shirt, tie or bowtie, jacket or vest, and dress shoes.
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Ladies are expected to wear a white dress and white shoes. Veils, socks, or tights are optional. If chosen to be worn, socks must be white, and tights must be white or nude. Gloves, purses, and flip flops are not permitted.
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If you have additional questions regarding the dress code, please contact Alexis at awitiak@sacredheart.us.
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HOW CAN I HELP MY CHILD PREPARE FOR FIRST HOLY COMMUNION?
1) SET AN EXAMPLE AND GO TO MASS
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As a parent, you are your child's first teacher. Encourage your child to participate during Mass every weekend or during daily Mass. Even though your child cannot yet receive Jesus during Mass, they can still walk up with you in the Communion line, watch how you receive the Eucharist, and then receive a special blessing from the priest.
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2) REVIEW CHAPTER POWERPOINT SLIDES
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Take the time to work with your child and review the PowerPoint presentations located under the PowerPoint Presentations tab. Each PowerPoint coincides with a certain chapter in your child's PREP book.
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3) DISCUSS WITH YOUR CHILD HOW TO RECEIVE THE EUCHARIST AND PRACTICE WITH THEM
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There are two ways we can receive Jesus in the Eucharist; the more traditional way on the tongue, or in the hand. Please discuss with your child which way he/she will be receiving Jesus in the sacrament. You can practice with a piece of bread, a cracker, a piece of pretzel, etc. Remind your child that when the priest gifts us the Eucharist and says the words "THE BODY OF CHRIST" he/she should respond with "AMEN" before receiving.
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4) WATCH Sacraments 101: Eucharist (how we receive) WITH YOUR CHILD
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Please watch the YouTube video, Sacraments 101: Eucharist (how we receive), created by Busted Halo, which can be found below the PowerPoint Presentations tabs. This video answers many questions your child may have about how to receive Jesus in the Eucharist.
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Please complete all banners by April 27th. They will be collected at the beginning of the retreat. Supplies are available to pick up in the Parish Office if you have yet to receive them.
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS
Understanding the Eucharist
(for parents)
Sacraments 101: Eucharist (how we receive)
a note about
photography
We have hired a photographer to capture the special moments for you. Please remain in your pews unless directed otherwise.
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