“Following Jesus”

“When you say your morning prayers, decide that you will spend the whole day under Jesus’ loving watch–at school, at recess, at home with your family.”

Source: Magnifikid!January 14, 2018 Vol. 15. Part 2. Section 3. Page 3

For Parents to Teach to their Children

“A Path of Love”

Source: Believe Celebrate Live Reconciliation Sadlier Sacrament Program Page 9

“Come, follow me.”

“Living as a disciple of Jesus is like hiking this path. Sometimes it is not easy. You might make a wrong choice. You might stumble and fall. But Jesus shows you the way.”

“This is the path of charity, that is of the love of God and of neighbor.” “Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1889”

“Your Prayer after Communion”

Source:Magnifikid!January 14, 2018 Vol. 15. Part 2. Section 3. Pages 1 & 11

“If you have not yet received your First Communion, you can still say this prayer because of your desire to receive Jesus.”

“Father; through Jesus Christ, in union with the whole Church, I thank you for coming into my heart. May our sharing in your Son’s Body and Blood strengthen our faith. Help us to walk the road with Jesus as true disciples, always ready to love and serve others.“

First Reconciliation Materials

All of the materials below have very helpful, child-appropriate information, and lovingly prepare children for First Reconciliation.

Children of God

We begin the preparation of children for their First Reconciliation, the Sacrament of Penance, by talking about God’s love for us and the gifts he has given us. At home this week, talk about your child’s baptism and what an important moment it was for your family and loved ones. Probably your child has seen a baptism in church, perhaps older siblings’ baptisms, and how the entire congregation joins in to support the family and child. If you can, share photos of the child’s baptism and talk about the family members who were present, and the important role God Parents play in the child’s life.

We begin by learning about the Seven Sacraments, which are, “An outward sign instituted by Christ to give us his grace, which is a share in his own life. There are seven sacraments. For example, the Sacrament of Baptism makes us children of God.”

Children may find this definition easier to understand: “A Sacrament is a sign of Christ. It is Christ working in our soul. It is Christ helping our soul. Christ is hidden in every Sacrament.”

Source: The New Saint Joseph First Communion Catechism page 36

Help your child with the definition of  “soul.” Our souls are also a gift from God:

“The glossary at the back of the U.S. version of the Catechism of the Catholic Church defines “soul” as follows:”

“The spiritual principle of human beings. The soul is the subject of human consciousness and freedom; soul and body together form one unique human nature. Each human soul is individual and immortal, immediately created by God. The soul does not die with the body from which it is separated by death, and with which it will be reunited in the final resurrection.”

Source: Catholic.com

Talk with your children about the meaning of “soul.”  I remember asking the children in last year’s second grade CCD class to share what they knew about our souls. One boy used an answer from the text that he explained with passion in his voice: “If we didn’t have a soul, we’d be just like a rock. We’d be dead.” The human soul is the essence of the individual person. It is unique. No two souls are alike. The soul is our spirit, our consciousness, it gives us freedom. Our soul does not die.

 Our Seven Sacraments Poster

Materials for Making a Seven Sacraments Poster

Writing the words of the sacraments help the children learn and remember them. Hanging the poster in a prominent location, is a great visual reminder!

Children can make a simple version of this poster using black construction paper, cutting strips of colorful construction paper, writing the names of each sacrament on a strip with a Sharpie pen and using a glue stick to paste them onto the black paper. (My text was created graphically.)
I used a book of tear-off, precut, bright card stock strips, from Jo-ann Fabrics, and a large piece of neon poster paper to support and frame the black construction paper. Any craft store has these types of product.

Suggestions for Homework

Week Eighteen

Please read, “Jesus Is Tempted” in The Catholic Book of Bible Stories, pages 112-114. (Matthew 4:1-11) (or in your own Catholic Children’s Bible, or directly from your family Bible.) Also, read pages 115, “Faith to Grow” and “Prayer” as we begin our learning about baptism and the sacraments in preparation for First Reconciliation, and “The Baptism of Jesus” in Let’s Talk About This, page 222. Talk about the words “tempted” and “temptation.” Ask your child, “Who else in the Bible was tempted?” (Adam and Eve)

Re-read “Rules to Live By” (Exodus 20:1-17) on the Ten Commandments, pages 45-47, or from another Catholic children’s Bible.