Preparing for First Communion

The CCD Class Certificates

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The Children’s First Holy Communion Banners

A Communion Prayer for the Children

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Prayer from “Blessed First Communion” PDF page 162 DynamicCatholic.Com

Prayer poster was designed by Kim N. Buckley. The children will decorate it to display at home.

Learning from Many Sources

The Good Shepherd

“He will feed his flock like a shepherd,

he will gather the lambs in his arms,

he will carry them in his bosom,

and gently lead those that are with young.”

Isaiah 40:11

From Our Text p. 101

 

Week One

The books above are books that have been given to me or I have purchased. All of them have wonderful information and I look forward to sharing them with the students.

The classroom text, Jesus Our Life is our main source for First Holy Communion. The chapters that prepare students for Reconciliation and First Holy Communion have banners at the top of the pages, which indicate their importance. The children received the sacrament of First Reconciliation two weeks ago and we are now preparing for First Holy Communion. They are reading chapter 21 “The Good Shepherd” in their text for homework this week. First Holy Communion will be in six weeks. This is “Week One” in our “official” First Holy Communion preparation. However, everything we have done this CCD school year has been in preparation for the children’s First Holy Communion.

 

Week Two

We have two copies of A Child’s Guide to First Holy Communion by Elizabeth Ficocelli, illustrated by Anne Catherine Blake, and it is being passed among the families to read for enrichment. We used the author’s book Child’s Guide to First Reconciliation in the same way and it was very helpful to the children. Both books are joyful, instructive and reassuring.

Child's Guide First Holy Communion

For our vocabulary this week, we will be using “The Liturgy of the Word” from We Believe & Celebrate First Communion page 36-39. It expands the children’s knowledge about the Order of the Mass.

“The Liturgy of the Word”

First Reading
Responsorial Psalm
Second Reading
Alleluia (or other words of praise)
Gospel
Homily
Creed
Prayer of the Faithful

Additional Vocabulary Words

Mass
Worship
Lectionary
Deacon
Rejoice

 

Week Three

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In God’s Gift Eucharist, we learn more about the Liturgy of the Word. On pages 34-35, “Hearing God’s Word” tells us, “We sing an Alleluia before the Gospel is read. Jesus is at the center of the Gospels. So we stand to hear these words…After the Gospel is read, the priest or deacon says:

“The Gospel of the Lord.”

We say, “Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.”

Next we hear a homily. The priest explains the readings we have just heard. It is important to listen with close attention.

After the Gospel, the priest sits down in the Presider’s Chair. When he stands, we stand to say the Creed, or Profession of Faith.

“We state all that we believe. After the Creed, we ask God to hear our prayers for the world, the Church, our parish, and those in need.” page 35

Week Four

Text for Palm Sunday–Faith First, Chapter 16 “The Last Supper”

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“The Last Supper” from Faith First 2, Page 139

At at Last Supper, Jesus taught his disciples:

“During the last meal Jesus took bread into his hands and said a blessing prayer. He broke it into pieces. Giving the bread to his disciples, Jesus said, “Take this. It is my body. Do this in memory of me.”

Jesus Took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God. Giving the cup of wine to his disciples, he said, “Drink it.” They all drank from the cup. Jesus said, “This is my blood, which is poured out for many.

“At the Eucharist the Church does what Jesus did at the Last Supper. The priest takes bread and wine. Through the words of the priest and the power of the Holy Spirit, the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ. We receive the Body and Blood of Christ in Holy Communion.” From Faith First 2, Page 140

From Luke 2:17-20 from USCCB.Org

“The Last Supper”
14
When the hour came, he took his place at table with the apostles.
15
He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover* with you before I suffer,
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for, I tell you, I shall not eat it [again] until there is fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”i
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Then he took a cup,* gave thanks, and said, “Take this and share it among yourselves;
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for I tell you [that] from this time on I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
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* j Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.”
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And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you.k

We Sing

“Take and Eat–Communion Song”

Take and eat, Take and eat.
This is my body given up for you.
Take and drink, Take and drink.
This is my blood given up for you.”

Week Five

First Eucharist
First Eucharist

First Eucharist Sadlier Sacrament Program provides this weeks lesson on “Gifts of Bread and Wine” Pages 26 to 32. This book is out of print and I received it as a donation. I think it has wonderful lessons for the children that are easy to understand.

Vocabulary Review from First Eucharist

Eucharist: “Giving Thanks” Page 26
Sacrifice: “An offering to God of something important. A sacrifice is a special gift of love.” Page 26
Mass: “We remember and celebrate Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Jesus gives Himself to us in Holy Communion.” Page 26
Preparation of the Gifts: “We bring our gifts of bread and wine to the altar.” Page 27

Responses for the Gifts from Page 27

“The priest praises and thanks God for the gifts of bread.”

We Answer:

“Blessed be God for ever.”

“Then the priest thanks God for the gift of wine.”

We Answer:

“Blessed be God for ever.”

“The the priest prays that we, with our gifts of bread and wine, will be acceptable to God the Father,”

We Answer:

“May the Lord accept the sacrifice
at your hands
for the praise and glory of his name,
for our good, and the good of all his Church.” Page 27

Week Six

Eucharist God's Gift
Eucharist God’s Gift

Next Saturday, the children have their First Holy Communion practice with their families and our priest. They are receiving the lovely Communion Prayer shown at the top of this post, to read out loud and decorate for display at home. The prayer begins, “My Lord and my God, I firmly believe that you are present in the Eucharist.” We will be using the text, God’s Gift Eucharist, for our lesson on “The Real Presence” pages 54-55.

“The Eucharistic Prayer is the high point of our celebration of the Mass. It is our prayer of praise and Thanksgiving. In it, we remember all that Jesus has done to save us.” Page 54

We Join the Priest in Saying or Singing this Prayer

“Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Hosts.
Heaven and Earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.”

The Real Presence

On page 55 in the text, we learn the word consecration: “At this time, through the words and actions of the priest, Jesus’ sacrifice is made present again. The priest repeats the very same words that Jesus said at the Last Supper. The bread and wine then become the Body and Blood of Christ.”

“Next, all sing or pray:

We proclaim your death, O Lord,
and profess your resurrection
until you come again.” Page 56

We offer ourselves to God and “In return, God gives us the Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Under the appearance of bread and wine, Christ himself becomes our spiritual food. We will receive him when we receive Holy Communion. …”We sing or pray together:

Amen.” Page 56

“This Amen is our yes to all that has taken place. It brings the Eucharist Prayer to an end.” Page 56

Week Seven

Our Preparation for Receiving First Holy Communion

We hear about “The Holy Eucharist” from Lesson 11 of First Communion Catechism

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The Holy Eucharist

“To receive Holy Communion I must:
1. Have my soul free from mortal sin.
2. Not eat or drink anything for one hour before Holy Communion, but water may be taken at any time before Holy Communion.”

“All this is to show respect to our Lord.” Page 51

“What should I do before Holy Communion?
Before Holy Communion I should:
1. Think of Jesus.
2. Say prayers I have learned.
3. Ask Jesus to come to me.” Page 51

“The priest receives the Host.
He drinks the Precious Blood.
The people eat the Bread of Life.” Page 58

“Dear Lord, make us worthy to receive You.
Take away our power to sin.
Give our souls their Food and Drink.
Make us strong in love for You.
Lead us to life Everlasting.” Page 58

“What should I do after Holy Communion?”
After Holy Communion I should:
1. Thank Jesus for coming to me.
2. Tell Him how much I love Him.
3. Ask Him to help me.
4. Pray for others.” Page 52

Week Seven

The children receive their First Holy Communion on Saturday morning. They have rehearsed the service in the church. In class, they practiced prayers, responses, gestures and receiving the Body and Precious Blood of Christ. They are ready to receive the sacrament.