Meeting Meeting for Parentsfor Parents

20142014

January 2014January 2014Good Shepherd ChurchGood Shepherd Church

Margie MeyersMargie MeyersDirector of Faith FormationDirector of Faith Formation

(238-0649)(238-0649)

IntroductionsIntroductions (in small (in small groups)groups)

..Introduce yourself to at least two people that you Introduce yourself to at least two people that you

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

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

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

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

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

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

Parent Meeting OutlineParent Meeting Outline IntroductionsIntroductions Prayer/Reflection/SharingPrayer/Reflection/Sharing Sacramental TheologySacramental Theology

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

““Ritual Matters” (dvd)Ritual Matters” (dvd) Practical information about Parish Practical information about Parish

CelebrationsCelebrations Guide and Materials for Home Preparation for First Guide and Materials for Home Preparation for First

CommunionCommunion Overview of Dates and ExpectationsOverview of Dates and Expectations

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

Q. 574. What is a Sacrament?Q. 574. What is a Sacrament?

Baltimore Catechism; No. 3, Lesson 13Baltimore Catechism; No. 3, Lesson 13

Q. 574. What is a Sacrament?Q. 574. What is a Sacrament?

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

Baltimore Catechism; No. 3, Lesson 13Baltimore Catechism; No. 3, Lesson 13

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

A Sacrament affects what it signifies.A Sacrament affects what it signifies.

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

God - the TrinityGod - the Trinity

JesusJesus

ChurchChurch

The Seven SacramentsThe Seven Sacraments

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

(Lumen Gentium 11).(Lumen Gentium 11). "The other "The other

sacraments ...are bound sacraments ...are bound up with the Eucharist up with the Eucharist and are orientated and are orientated toward it“toward it“

(Catechism of the Catholic Church (Catechism of the Catholic Church

1324).1324).

What’s in a name?What’s in a name?CommunionCommunion

EucharistEucharistfrom from GreekGreek εὐχαριστία (eucharistia),  εὐχαριστία (eucharistia),

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

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

Eucharist in HistoryEucharist in History

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

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

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

St. Justin Martyr (100-165)St. Justin Martyr (100-165)

Early LiturgyEarly LiturgySt. Justin Martyr – 100-165 ADSt. Justin Martyr – 100-165 AD

Readings are taken from both the Old and Readings are taken from both the Old and New TestamentsNew Testaments

The president of the assembly gives a The president of the assembly gives a homily after the readingshomily after the readings

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

The president offers prayers and The president offers prayers and thanksgiving according to his ability thanksgiving according to his ability

Holy Communion is brought to the sick Holy Communion is brought to the sick and the absent. and the absent.

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

The Role of the FamilyThe Role of the Family

Family as Icon of TrinityFamily as Icon of Trinity Family is called to be a Family is called to be a

community of community of faithfaith, , hopehope and and lovelove

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

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

““Ritual Matters”Ritual Matters”

(DVD – approx. 10 mins)(DVD – approx. 10 mins)

Sacramental Stoles – Sacramental Stoles – A Good Shepherd TraditionA Good Shepherd Tradition

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

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

Handouts with instructions and some Handouts with instructions and some symbol suggestions are availablesymbol suggestions are available

Children wear their stole during the entire Children wear their stole during the entire First Communion CelebrationFirst Communion Celebration

Your Child’s Book Your Child’s Book

New for 2014New for 2014Eucharist: We Give Eucharist: We Give Thanks and PraiseThanks and Praise

Take a few moments Take a few moments to page through and to page through and look at the table of look at the table of contents and contents and Chapter 1Chapter 1

RCL’s Sacrament Website RCL’s Sacrament Website www.FaithFirst.comwww.FaithFirst.com

Click on “Sacraments”Click on “Sacraments”

For Children:For Children: Church tourChurch tour GamesGames Fun ReviewsFun Reviews Coloring pagesColoring pages

For ParentsFor Parents Scripture StoriesScripture Stories Mealtime prayersMealtime prayers Related activitiesRelated activities ReflectionsReflections Addition Addition

InformationInformation

Expectations for Readiness Expectations for Readiness 11

Participation in Sunday Mass on a Participation in Sunday Mass on a regular basisregular basis

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

Expectations for Readiness Expectations for Readiness 22

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

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

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

Our FatherOur Father• Act of ContritionAct of Contrition

Expectations for ReadinessExpectations for Readiness

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

How do we instill a sense How do we instill a sense

of reverence in our children?of reverence in our children?

Dates to note: Dates to note: First First CommunionCommunion

Parent Meeting: Parent Meeting: Jan. 12/Jan 21 2014Jan. 12/Jan 21 2014 HOME PREPARATIONHOME PREPARATION (Now through late April/early May) – (Now through late April/early May) –

concurrent with in-class school & parish basedconcurrent with in-class school & parish based PARISH RECONCILIATION CELEBRATION

DURING LENT - APRIL 1APRIL 1 RETREAT RETREAT APRIL 5 2014APRIL 5 2014: 9:30 – 12:30: 9:30 – 12:30 First Communion First Communion CELEBRATIONSCELEBRATIONS::

May 3– 10 am – ONLY GROUP CELEBRATIONMay 3– 10 am – ONLY GROUP CELEBRATION Rehearsal – (Tentative) Thursday, May 1Rehearsal – (Tentative) Thursday, May 1 Or Or Family-based/Parish Weekend Mass Family-based/Parish Weekend Mass

OptionOption

First Communion FAQFirst Communion FAQ Dates? Dates?

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

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

preferable (jacket is optional)preferable (jacket is optional)

Girls – Sunday best. White dresses are Girls – Sunday best. White dresses are traditional but not requiredtraditional but not required

Pictures?Pictures? not sure??not sure??

Liturgical Ministers will be Liturgical Ministers will be needed for the Parish needed for the Parish

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

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

Comments?Comments?Questions?Questions?

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

Call 238-0649 orCall 238-0649 or 470-3692 470-3692 with questions!with questions!dirred@goodshepherd-sc.orgdirred@goodshepherd-sc.org

shepherded.pbworks.comshepherded.pbworks.com