1st Communion Prep 2021
First Holy Communion 2021
Online/Virtual Preparation
*For students in their second year of Sacramental prep (Level 2 / Heritage Yr. 2)
*Check your email for your child's Sacrament dates! (Emailed March 4)
For families of students who will be receiving their 1st Communion in this year, we ask that you and your child prepare for the Sacrament online by completing this three-part lesson. Special thanks to our Grade 2 coordinators who helped put this lesson together!
The lesson begins with an introduction by Fr. John.
In Part I, we will highlight the Mass and all the different parts that make up our Celebration of the Eucharist.
In Part II, we will focus on the Eucharist and what we believe as Catholics. We will then take a look inside our church at SJE. We will also hear from one of our First Communion candidates and go over how to receive the Eucharist.
In Part III, we will talk about how the Eucharist gives us the strength to go out into the world and serve others.
After completing all three parts, fill out our Google Form (see below).
We hope this fosters positive conversations and helps you and your child come to a greater understanding of the great gift of the Eucharist, where Jesus - fully and truly present - comes to us in a special way.
If you have any questions, please email us at faithformation@sjecm.org.
God bless,
Michelle Pirraglia
Director of Faith Formation
Michelle Pirraglia
Director of Faith Formation
Google Form - Due May 5
*To be completed AFTER you finish the entire lesson
CLICK HERE FOR 1ST COMMUNION GOOGLE FORM
Open in Prayer:
Pray an Our Father, Hail Mary & Glory Be with your child to start the lesson.*(The prayers are on page 6 in your "Family of Faith" Student Activity Book).
Introduction from Fr. John:
Part I: The Mass
READ & WATCH TOGETHER (Parents & Students):
Jesus wants to be with you always even though He now lives in Heaven. He gave you the gift of the Eucharist as a promise that He would be with you always and forever. You receive this precious gift every time you go to Mass and receive Holy Communion.
But why do we go to Mass? Let's take a look at the video below:
"From Mass to Mission - Why is Mass Important?"
At Mass, we gather in prayer as a community of believers to worship and thank God, to show our love for God and others. The Mass is so important that every day Mass is said in Catholic churches throughout the world, including our own parish! The Mass is the highest form of prayer that we offer to God, which is why the Church asks us to attend Mass at least every Sunday (or Saturday evening).
Watch the video below to take a closer look at what we do - and why - when we attend Mass:
"The Holy Mass: What We Do & Why"
The best way to prepare for First Holy Communion is to go to Mass! We still live stream Mass on our Facebook page - www.facebook.com/WelcomeHomeStJohn - but we also encourage you to come in person! Visit our parish website - sjecm.org - for our Mass times (including an outdoor "Porch Mass" on the Convent lawn on Sundays at 10:15AM, weather permitting, beginning April 25).
Sunday Mass Schedule:
Saturday Vigil: 5PM, 7:30PM (Spanish)
Sunday: 8AM, 10AM, 12Noon, 6PM / 10:15AM Outdoor Mass (Weather Permitting, Beginning April 25)
Part II: What is the Eucharist (Holy Communion)?
READ & WATCH TOGETHER (Parents & Students):
This year, we spoke a lot about Baptism in our "Family of Faith" program. Baptism is the first of the three Sacraments of Initiation in the Church. When you were baptized, you became part of God's family! Through your baptism, you also are called to be a disciple - to follow Jesus and bring His love into the world!
Now, you are preparing to receive the Eucharist (Holy Communion). This is the second Sacrament of Initiation and is the center of our life as Catholics. (The last Sacrament of Initiation is Confirmation, which you will prepare to receive when you're older). In the Eucharist, we receive Jesus Himself!
Did you know that Catholics believe the Eucharist is not a symbol, but the Real Presence of Jesus, who is truly and fully present under the appearance of bread and wine?
To better understand this, let's go back to the Last Supper...
The Catechism of the Catholic Church helps explain our Catholic beliefs. The Catechism states that the Eucharist is "the source and summit of the Christian life"(CCC 1324). That means the Eucharist is at the heart of who we are! Jesus is present "Body, Blood, Soul & Divinity" in the Eucharist. What does this mean? It means Jesus is fully and truly present under the appearance of bread and wine - it looks like bread & tastes like bread, but the substance - what it IS - is Jesus Himself! (CCC 1374).
Now, let's take a look inside our church at SJE!
"A Look Inside Our Church!"
Now that we know what the Eucharist is, let's talk about how we receive the Eucharist. Meet Emma, one of our First Holy Communion candidates, who will help us!
Candidate Q&A + How We Receive Communion
What we say when we receive Holy Communion:PRIEST: "The Body of Christ"WE REPLY: "AMEN"
WORDS TO KNOW
1. Christ- The title given to Jesus that means He was the "anointed" or chosen one. 2. Sacraments- Seven holy signs that Jesus gave to the Church that gives us ashare in God’s life. 3. Mass- The most important time to listen to God’s word and witness the bread andwine turn into the Body and Blood of Christ.4. Eucharist- The Sacrament in which we receive Jesus truly present under the appearance of bread and wine.5. Tabernacle- The place where the Eucharist is kept after Mass.6. Liturgy - The word Liturgy literally means work of the people. Within the Catholic Church it is used to describe all the public acts of worship that take place, as it draws the people into the work of God.7. Consecration- The moment when the bread and wine truly become the Real Presence of Jesus.8. Priest: A man who has received the Sacrament of Holy Orders and can say the Mass and hear our confessions. 9. The Last Supper- The final meal that Jesus shared with His apostles in Jerusalem before He was crucified.
1. Christ- The title given to Jesus that means He was the "anointed" or chosen one.
2. Sacraments- Seven holy signs that Jesus gave to the Church that gives us a
share in God’s life.
3. Mass- The most important time to listen to God’s word and witness the bread and
wine turn into the Body and Blood of Christ.
4. Eucharist- The Sacrament in which we receive Jesus truly present under the appearance of bread and wine.
5. Tabernacle- The place where the Eucharist is kept after Mass.
6. Liturgy - The word Liturgy literally means work of the people. Within the Catholic Church it is used to describe all the public acts of worship that take place, as it draws the people into the work of God.
7. Consecration- The moment when the bread and wine truly become the Real Presence of Jesus.
8. Priest: A man who has received the Sacrament of Holy Orders and can say the Mass and hear our confessions.
9. The Last Supper- The final meal that Jesus shared with His apostles in Jerusalem before He was crucified.
Part III: Being the Body of Christ
READ & WATCH TOGETHER (Parents & Students):
We know that the Eucharist is food for our souls! Just like we want to eat healthy foods in order to keep our bodies healthy, we go to Mass and receive the Eucharist to keep our souls healthy! When we receive the Eucharist, we are strengthened to go out to the world and bring Jesus' love to others.
Did you know the word "MASS" means "SENT"? Let's look at some ways we can be the Body of Christ for others:
"We Are Sent!: Being the Body of Christ in the World"
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