“Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end.” Jn 13:1

Source: USCCB.Org

“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.'”
Lk 22:19”

Source: USCCB.Org

 

For Parents to Teach to Their Children

We Learn Through Praying the Rosary

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops provides the following format for reciting the Scripture about “The Fifth Luminous Mystery” of the Rosary. Praying the Rosary with your children is an important and illustrative way to teach the life of Christ:

 

Fifth Luminous Mystery: INSTITUTION OF THE EUCHARIST

“Do this in memory of me.” (Luke 22:19)

“We do what Jesus asked each time we celebrate the Eucharist.” 

 Source: We Believe and Celebrate First Communion Pages 48-49

We Begin to Learn “The Liturgy of the Eucharist”

*Preparation of the Gifts

*Prayer over the offerings

Eucharistic Prayer

Communion Rite

A Child’s Prayer for First Holy Communion

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

Prayer poster was designed by Kim N. Buckley, for children to decorate and display at home.

We Learn Through Experience and Participation

Have you ever participated in the Presentation of the Gifts–bringing the altar bread, and the wine–to the priest for Consecration? In my church, children, at times, also come with parents to offer the Gifts. It is a lovely way for a family to participate as members of the Church. Talk to your children about the profound difference between altar bread and wine, from the Body and Precious Blood of Jesus Christ. We follow the actions and instructions of Jesus precisely. Since Jesus used bread made from wheat, we do the same. We cannot use rice, lentil, corn flour, or anything but wheat, for the altar bread. The wine has to be made from grapes. We do not use grape juice, or wine from plums. We bring the gift of wine made from grapes, just as Jesus drank and offered to his disciples. Please talk with your children about the meanings of each word in italics.

We Learn New Words and Concepts

Resource: Liturgical Objects Used in Mass from CatholicMom.com

Source: We Believe and Celebrate First Communion pages 48-49

Presentation of the Gifts–Members of the congregation bring cruets of wine and water and a ciborium of altar bread to the priest at the steps to the Sanctuary for Consecration.

Eucharist–“The Mass is the celebration of the Eucharist. The word ‘eucharist’ means ‘to give thanks. Throughout the Mass, we give God thanks and praise.”  “The Eucharist is offered to make up for the sins of the living and the dead. Through it we receive spiritual and physical help from God.”

The Liturgy of the Eucharist– “… is the part of the Mass in which the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. The Liturgy of the Eucharist begins as the priest prepares the altar. Then members of the assembly bring forward the gifts of bread and wine. We remember the many gifts God has given to us.”  “The priest or deacon accepts the gifts of bread and wine. He brings them to the altar. He prepares them with special prayers. We respond, ‘Blessed be God for ever.’ Then we pray with the priest that the Lord will accept these gifts.”

Sacrifice–“A sacrifice is an offering of a gift to God. As a sacrifice, Jesus offered his life for us on the cross to save us from sin.” “He rose to new life so that we could live happily with God forever.”

“Invitation to Prayer”

Priest: “Pray, brethren (brothers and sisters), that my sacrifice and yours/may be acceptable to God,/almighty Father.”

Congregation: ” 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 holy church.”

Source: MagnifiKid!  April 22, 2018. Vol. 15. Part 5. Section 5. Page 8

We Learn By Reading

“The Pope, Bishops, Priests, and Deacons”

MagnifiKid!  Page 8

In MagnifiKid!, we read that certain men are called by God to serve Him. They are the Deacons, Priests, and Bishops. Some deacons are “permanent” and others are “transitional”. The “permanent” deacons can be married before they are ordained, but if they are married they will not become priests. “Transitional” means that the deacons are on their way to becoming priests and thus they do not marry. Deacons serve the bishops. They preach the Good News, and assist in charitable activities. Deacons can perform two of the sacraments: they can witness the vows of couples celebrating Holy Matrimony, and they can baptize. They are also able to officiate at funerals, and to bless religious objects (such as rosaries). They often read the Gospel at Mass, but since they are not priests they cannot celebrate the Eucharist (Mass). Only priests and bishops can celebrate the Eucharist. Only men can become priests and bishops. This is ultimately because Jesus only chose men to become his apostles and to celebrate the sacraments, and as Catholics we are obligated to replicate exactly what Jesus did when he was with us on earth. Bishops and priests share in Christ’s role as Head and Shepherd of the Church on earth, His flock.

Psalms 23–“The Lord is My Shepherd”

Source: usccb.org

“A psalm of David.

The LORD is my shepherd;

there is nothing I lack.

In green pastures he makes me lie down;

to still waters he leads me;

he restores my soul.

He guides me along right paths

for the sake of his name.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil, for you are with me;

your rod and your staff comfort me.

You set a table before me

in front of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

Indeed, goodness and mercy will pursue me

all the days of my life;

I will dwell in the house of the LORD

for endless days.”

We Celebrate Through Art

Methods and Materials

Provide two sheet of watercolor paper, or a sturdy white paper for your children to paint or color. Have them draw the outline of a heart of one sheet. Then use two strips of easy- to- peel- off painter’s tape to make a cross. I used kids’ washable tempera and washable glitter paint. Fingers or a brush work well. Children don’t need to worry about painting over the lines because the heart will be cut out when it is dry. They can paint over the tape or around it. After the paint has dried completely and cut out, use kid’s school liquid glue liberally on the unpainted side. Place the glue-side down on the unused second sheet of paper. Place something non-sticky on top, such as a baking sheet, or cutting board. Place books on top of that to weigh down the heart and keep if from curling up. When totally dry, after about an hour, peel off the tape for a nicely formed cross or perhaps a “Chi Rho,” as shown below. The painted heart should be ready to hang or pin up in a prominent spot. Perhaps it can be a nice gift on Valentine’s Day for a family member!

 

 

Suggested Homework

Week Eighteen

Talk with your child about these two questions. Ask them to write down their short answers.

“During this Sunday’s Mass I will thank God especially for…”

“During this week, my family will thank God especially for…”

Source: We Believe and Celebrate First Communion pages 52-53

Please read page 223 “I am the Bread of Life” John 6:22-70 from Catholic Book of Bible Stories.

“Just like your stomach gets hungry, your soul gets hungry, too. So how can you feed your soul? You feed your soul with God’s life-giving words in the Bible. We hear God’s words during mass when the Gospel is read. We also feed our souls by sharing the body and blood of Jesus when we receive Communion.”  By Laurie Lazzaro Knowlton

Please read “The Good Shepherd” from John 10:11-18 from your family Bible or online from USCCB.org.

Please read aloud the “Luminous Mysteries” of the Rosary to learn what happens in Jesus’ life as he nears His crucifixion. As you pray the Rosary, please read the “mysteries” every Sunday for the next five weeks as we approach Lent. This week please read and learn about “The Institution of the Eucharist.”

The “Luminous Mysteries” from Rosary-Center.Org