Meeting for Parents

2012

January 23 & 24, 2012Good Shepherd Church

Margie MeyersDirector of Faith Formation

(238-0649)

Introductions (in small groups)

.Introduce yourself to at least two people that you

don’t know well. After introductions, please take a moment to quietly think on the

questions. Then you will be invited to share with one or two others

1. Who are you? Where are you from? Who is your son or daughter?

2. What do you remember your own First Communion? When was it? Where was it? How old were you? What did you wear? Who was there? What do you remember learning?

Take a minute to quietly remember then you are invited to share your memory with one or two other parents.

3. What are your hopes for your child in this time of preparation and celebration of First Communion?

Parent Meeting Outline Introductions Prayer/Reflection/Sharing Sacramental Theology

A brief refresher on the Sacrament of Eucharist The Family-centered preparation

“Ritual Matters” (dvd) Practical information about Parish

Celebrations Guide and Materials for Home Preparation for First

Communion Overview of Dates and Expectations

(Getting used to) The Revised Roman Missal Questions & Comments; Evaluation

Q. 574. What is a Sacrament?

Baltimore Catechism; No. 3, Lesson 13

Q. 574. What is a Sacrament?

A. A Sacrament is an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace.

Baltimore Catechism; No. 3, Lesson 13

A sacrament is an ordinary experience that becomes extra-ordinary because God is present with us in a special way in that experience . The moment or experience becomes Sacred.

A Sacrament affects what it signifies.

A Sacrament opens our eyes, strengthens the bond, deepens our Relationship with God and is an experience of God’s Grace.

God - the Trinity

Jesus

Church

The Seven Sacraments

Eucharist is one of the seven sacraments. It is considered the "the source and summit of the Christian life"

(Lumen Gentium 11). "The other

sacraments ...are bound up with the Eucharist and are orientated toward it“ (Catechism of the Catholic Church

1324).

What’s in a name?Communion

Eucharistfrom Greek εὐχαριστία (eucharistia),

means"thanksgiving" (“For what are we thankful?”)

(“First Communion” but NOT “First Eucharist”)

Eucharist in History

“And on the day called Sunday, all who live in the cities or in the country gather together in one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things.

Then we all rise together and pray, and, as we said before . . . when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought, and the president in the like manner offers prayers and thanksgivings according to his ability, and the people assent, saying Amen; and there is a distribution to each, and a participation of that over which thanks has been given and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons.

And they who are well-to-do, and willing, give what each thinks fit; and what is collected is deposited with the president who succors the orphans and widows, and those who, through sickness or any other cause, are in want, and those who are in bonds, and the strangers sojourning among us, and in a word takes care of all those who are in need.

St. Justin Martyr (100-165)

Early LiturgySt. Justin Martyr – 100-165 AD

Readings are taken from both the Old and New Testaments

The president of the assembly gives a homily after the readings

The prayers and intercessions are an important part of the liturgy. In the early description Justin mentions that they are concluded with the kiss of peace.

The president offers prayers and thanksgiving according to his ability

Holy Communion is brought to the sick and the absent.

To Justin, the collection for those who are in need seems like an integral part of the Mass.

The Role of the Family

Family as Icon of Trinity Family is called to be a

community of faith, hope and love

When a family becomes a community of love – it begins to become an image of the loving communion of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Learning forgiveness is an important key to a healthy communion – community of love.

“Ritual Matters”(DVD – approx. 10 mins)

Sacramental Stoles – A Good Shepherd Tradition

If your child was baptized and/or celebrated First Reconciliation here at Good Shepherd, you should already have a stole and you can begin to plan on adding symbols for EUCHARIST.

If you need a blank stole – call Margie or the Parish Office to pick one up.

Handouts with instructions and some symbol suggestions are available

Children wear their stole during the entire First Communion Celebration

Your Child’s Book

Take a few moments to page through and look at the table of contents and Chapter 1 (p. 4)

Use “At Home Family Guide” as your parent guide to using the book. Don’t skimp on prayer and ritual!

RCL’s Sacrament Website www.FaithFirst.com

Click on “Sacraments”

For Children: Church tour Games Fun Reviews Coloring pages

For Parents Scripture Stories Mealtime prayers Related activities Reflections Addition

Information

Expectations for Readiness 1

Participation in Sunday Mass on a regular basis

Ongoing Religious Education/Faith Formation (parish, home or Catholic School) /

Expectations for Readiness 2

Child is beginning to know the responses and the prayers of the Mass (Our Father, Holy,Holy acclamation, memorial acclamation and the Great Amen)

Personal & Family prayer are part of the child’s life including the following traditional prayers:• Sign of the Cross• Hail Mary

• The child has a capacity for reverence necessary for sharing in the Eucharistic banquet

· Our Father• Act of Contrition

Expectations for Readiness

• The child has a capacity for reverence necessary for sharing in the Eucharistic banquet

How do we instill a sense of reverence in our children?

Dates to note: First Communion

Parent Meeting: Jan. 23 & 24 HOME PREPARATION (1/24 through late

April/early May) – concurrent with in-class school & parish based

PARISH RECONCILIATION CELEBRATION DURING LENT

First Communion RETREAT: March 24 9:30 - Noon

First Communion CELEBRATIONS: April 28 – 10 am Sun 4:15 & 6 p.m. May 5 – 10 am–OLV, Home- based & Mon. 6 p.m Or Family-based/Parish Weekend Mass Option

First Communion FAQ Dates?

You may change your scheduled date – in writing/by e-mail, 3 weeks before date

What to wear? Sunday best. Boys – dress shirt & tie is

preferable (jacket is optional)Girls – Sunday best. White dresses are

traditional but not required Pictures?

not sure??

Liturgical Ministers will be needed for the Parish

Celebrations. Hospitality (older brothers or sisters?) Extraordinary Ministers of Communion Lector/Reader Altar Servers

We WELCOME volunteers and they may call the Parish office to sign up.

New Roman Missal

Comments?Questions?

Please take a few moments to complete the evaluation survey. I take your input serious and it will affect meetings planned for the future.

Call 238-0649 with questions!dirred@goodshepherd-sc.org

shepherded.pbworks.com