Family Information Booklet

First Reconciliation
And
First Communion
Handbook

St. Mark Parish

535 East Edgewood Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46227
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FIRST RECONCILIATION
FIRST EUCHARIST
HANDBOOK

IMPORTANT DATES

2008
Monday, September 29 Introductory Workshop
7:00 p.m. - church

Tuesday, October 14 Family Reconciliation Workshop

7:00 p.m. - church

Tuesday, November 18 Family Reconciliation Workshop

7:00 p.m. - Schafer hall

Saturday, December 6 Sacrament of Reconciliation

10:30 a.m. - church

2009
Monday, January 12 Family Eucharistic Workshop
7:00 p.m. – church

Tuesday, February 17 Family Eucharistic Workshop

7:00 p.m. – church

Saturday, March 21 Family Eucharistic Workshop

9 - 11:30 a.m. - Schafer hall

Sunday, April 19 BANNERS DUE

Tuesday, April 21 Practice for First Eucharist

7:00 p.m. - church

Sunday, April 26 FIRST COMMUNION DAY

11:45 Mass

First Reconciliation / First Eucharist Handbook 2008-09

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THE MISSION
The purpose or “mission” of this family-
centered program is to prepare our second grade
children to receive the Sacraments of First Holy
Communion and Reconciliation, for their life of love
and service for God, and their neighbor, with the
Eucharist at its center. Since you, as parents, are
called to be the primary religious educators of your
child, this program is designed to assist you with
instilling the values and the meaning of Holy
Communion and Reconciliation.

Your child’s First Reconciliation and First Eucharist texts are “We Believe and Celebrating
First Penance” and “We Believe and Celebrate First Communion”, published by Sadlier.

If at any time you are working with your child and have any questions, or would like to have
any further resources to use in their preparation, please do not hesitate to call Mary Lynn or
Joshua Schaffner, our ECHO apprentice, at 787-8246.

The program will progress with you and your child having the opportunity to receive the
Sacrament of Reconciliation on December 6 at 10:30 a.m. The program will conclude with you
and your child’s Celebration of their First Holy Communion on Sunday, April 26, 2009 at 11:45
a.m.

THE ROLE OF THE PARENTS

You, as parents, are the most meaningful adult Christians in the life of your child. You show
your love for your child and give witness to your faith when you share your convictions about life
and living. In particular, your personal responses to God’s love are showing your child that
Eucharist and Reconciliation are part of their daily lives - not something that happens only as part
of a special celebration day, or something just like anything else, but its very center.

Not only is the Church emphasizing your role as parents in your child’s religious education,
but, it is at the same time emphasizing the responsibility of our whole parish to help you fulfill your
role. To assist you in this responsibility, we will provide you with additional information, guidance,
and the confidence you need through our parent gatherings and liturgical celebrations.

The Home Lesson Plans will give you some theology on the sacrament of First Communion
and Reconciliation, and also provide you with helpful hints on understanding and discussing the
faith concepts that your child will be taught concerning these Sacraments.

First Reconciliation / First Eucharist Handbook 2008-09

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LITURGICAL WORKSHOPS
Our workshops will combine the concepts being presented
to your children both in the classroom and the parent sessions and
the concepts being presented them in regard to both the
Sacrament of the Eucharist and Reconciliation. The great
advantage of these workshop experiences is the benefit to your
child of the witness and the faith of adults with whom they closely
identify. The presence and participation of you, as parents, and
other family members, is very important. All workshops will
include participation between parent and child.
Our workshops will be a more interactive approach between
you and your child to actually prepare for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. The time
at each of these workshops will enable you and your child to work through a series of activities that
will assist your family in understanding the concepts and symbols involved with each sacrament.

These dates are:

Monday, September 29, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Monday, January 12, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
- Introduction Workshop at 7:00 p.m.
- Reconciliation Workshop at 7:00 p.m.
- Reconciliation Workshop at 7:00 p.m.
- Family Eucharistic Workshop at 7:00 p.m.
- Family Eucharistic Workshop at 7:00 p.m.
- Family Eucharist Workshop from 9 -11:30 a.m.

FAMILY BANNER
Throughout your child’s preparation for the sacrament of First Eucharist, it is the goal to
provide experiences of “unity” and “belonging.” One of the themes running throughout these
experiences is “family”, our own families and God’s family.
I am asking that each family construct a banner to be displayed on First Communion day.
Your family name should appear on the front, along with other ideas (symbols, words, pictures,
sayings, etc.) that are meaningful to your family and to the Eucharist.
We will supply the background, a piece of white felt at the March 21st Family Eucharistic
Workshop. You may use any other material to decorate the front as you see fit. Please have
banners in to the parish center by April 20.

First Reconciliation / First Eucharist Handbook 2008-09

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HOME SESSIONS
Each chapter in your child’s textbooks introduces a theme that teaches a particular element
of the Sacrament of First Holy Communion or First Reconciliation. We will be asking you to assist
in helping your child reflect upon and share with the activities provided in the text. This “sharing”
raises your child’s awareness and appreciation of the relationship between Eucharistic celebration
and the rest of their lives.

In the “domestic church” of your own home, you will continue the work began at your child’s
Baptism – the initiation of your child into the life of Christ through the sacraments of the Catholic
Church. The Church, through the bishops of the United States, has affirmed your role as primary
religious educator of your child.

“Parents also have the right and duty to be involved in preparing their children for First
Communion. The catechesis offered should help parents grow in their own understanding and
appreciation of the Eucharist and enable them to catechize their children more effectively.”

The time you spend together will help your child to feel comfortable and joyful about the
Sacrament s/he is about to receive.

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LIST OF PRAYERS IN SECOND GRADE CIRRICULUM

The children participating in the First Communion/First
Reconciliation program should have knowledge and
understanding of these prayers: *

Sign of the Cross Act of Contrition

Our Father Glory Be
Hail Mary

*These prayers can be found in the back of your child’s textbook.

An Act of Spiritual Communion

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Blessed Sacrament.
I love you above all things, and I desire to receive you into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace you as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to you.
Never permit me to be separated from you.
Amen.

First Reconciliation / First Eucharist Handbook 2008-09

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WHAT TO WEAR FOR FIRST COMMUNION

GIRLS are to wear dresses. Color is up to the family. Veils, flowers in hair, etc., are decisions of
parents and child.

BOYS are to be in shirt and tie. Suit coat is optional. Shirt sleeves may be long or short; pants and
shirt may be the color of your choosing.

PROGRAM FEE
The total fee for this Sacrament program is $25.00. If a family has two children in the
program the fee is $30.00. This fee covers the cost of student textbook, outline packet and other
materials needed for the program. The fee should be paid by November 18, 2008. If there is any
problem with paying this fee, please call Mary Lynn at 787-8246.

BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATES
We are required by the Church to obtain Baptismal information (such as, when and where
your child was baptized) before a child is allowed to receive the Eucharist for the first time. This
baptismal information can only be found on your child’s BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE. We may have
a certificate on file in the school or religious education program records. If there is no record on file,
we ask that a copy be handed into the Office of Faith Formation before December 1, 2008.

In order to be sure that each child’s records are correct, please complete the form below
and return it to the Office of Faith Formation.

****************************************************************************************************************
FIRST COMMUNION REGISTER

Baptismal & Family Name

Place & Date of Birth Age

Place & Date of Baptism

Address

Father’s Name

Mother’s Maiden Name

NOTE: A baptismal certificate must be submitted by December 1, 2008

except those baptized at St. Mark.

First Reconciliation / First Eucharist Handbook 2008-09

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FIRST RECONCILIATION - EUCHARIST
2007 - 2008
HOME
LESSON
WEEK OF: RECONCILIATION EUCHARIST PLANS
Sept. 18 INTRODUCTORY PARENT MEETING
30 Chapter 1 #1R
Oct. 7 Chapter 2 #2R
10 RECONCILIATION PRAYER SERVICE
14 Chapter 3 #3R
21 Chapter 4

Nov. 4 Saints #4R

11 Chapter 5 #5R
18 Chapter 6 #6R
29 FAMILY RECONCILIATION WORKSHOP

Dec 2 Advent/Mary
9 Prepare for First Confession
12 FIRST RECONCILIATION

Jan. 6 Christmas / Epiphany

9 EUCHARIST FAMILY PRAYER SERVICE
13 Chapter 1 #1E
20 Chapter 2 #2E
27/28 FAMILY BLESSING AT ALL MASSES
Chapter 3 #3E
Feb. 3 Lent
10 Chapter 4 #4E
11 FAMILY LITURGY
17 NO CLASS
24 Review

Mar. 1 FAMILY EUCHARIST WORKSHOP

2 Chapter 5 #5E
9 Lent & Reconciliation
18 Chapter 6 #6E
23 Easter
30 Spring Break

Apr. 6 Risen Christ

13 Rosary
20 Review for Eucharist
22 First Communion Practice - 7:00 p.m.
27 FIRST COMMUNION DAY – 11:45 a.m.

First Reconciliation / First Eucharist Handbook 2008-09