“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.’ And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you.'”
Source: Luke, chapter 22:19-20 USCCB.org
For Parents to Teach to Their Children
Note to Parents
Hello parents. This week wraps up the preparation for First Holy Communion in my parish. I have been teaching a class of second and third graders, who meet with me once or twice a month until May, and the parents are responsible for teaching the curriculum at home. They have a text book, and I send weekly homework suggestions, readings, and handouts weekly by email. The children were prepared for First Reconciliation this way, and it was successful! Everyone in the class made their first confession and was ready. I am proud of the students and parents for their commitment. It has been exciting to see the children grow over the months. This week will focus on the the Liturgy of the Eucharist, including responses and prayers. There are excellent books for children on the Liturgy of the Eucharist and the Mass included in this post.
Our Art Gallery
Silver Chalice and Gold Paten
Sacred Objects for Eucharist
For Parents–An Overview of the Liturgy of the Eucharist and Communion
Source: Loyola Press a Jesuit Ministry “An Overview of the Mass” “Celebrating the Lord’s Day”
“Liturgy of the Eucharist—celebrating Christ’s presence in the Eucharist
Presentation and Preparation of the Gifts
We bring gifts of bread and wine to the altar.
Prayer over the Offerings
The priest prays that God will accept our sacrifice.
Eucharistic Prayer
This prayer of thanksgiving is the center and high point of the entire celebration.
- Preface—We give thanks and praise to God.
- Holy, Holy, Holy—We sing an acclamation of praise.
- Consecration—The bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.
- The Mystery of Faith—We proclaim the mystery of our faith.
- Amen—We affirm the words and actions of the Eucharistic Prayer.
Communion Rite—receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ
Lord’s Prayer—We pray the Our Father.
Sign of Peace—We offer one another Christ’s peace.
Lamb of God—We pray for forgiveness, mercy, and peace.
Communion—We receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.
Prayer After Communion—We pray that the Eucharist will strengthen us to live as Jesus did.
Concluding Rites—going forth to glorify the Lord by our lives
Final Blessing
We receive God’s blessing.
Dismissal
We go in peace, glorifying the Lord by our lives.”
Powerful Video on the Liturgy of the Eucharist from the Archdiocese of Brisbane, Australia
Prayers and Responses for The Liturgy of the Eucharist
A Handout for Families Compiled by My Parish Religious Education Program
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
PREPARATION OF THE GIFTS – Prayers over the bread and wine…a blessing over the food.
PRIEST: “Pray, brethren, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.”
OUR RESPONSE: “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.”
THE PREFACE AND THE “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY” – give thanks to the Lord just before Jesus is made present in the Eucharist.
PRIEST: “The Lord be with you.”
OUR RESPONSE: “And with your spirit.”
PRIEST: “Lift up your hearts.”
OUR RESPONSE: “We lift them up to the Lord.”
PRIEST: “Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.”
OUR RESPONSE: “It is right and just.”
“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 EUCHARISTIC PRAYER – “…the heart and summit of the celebration.”
CONSECRATION – PRIEST: “This is my Body, which will be given up for you.” (BELLS RING)
“This is my Blood, which will be given up for you.” (BELLS RING)
THE MYSTERY OF FAITH – what we believe is truly a mystery
PRIEST: “Let us proclaim the mystery of faith.”
OUR RESPONSE: “We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.”
THE GREAT AMEN – Yes, I truly believe!
PRIEST: “Through Him, with Him, in Him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, forever and ever.”
OUR RESPONSE: “AMEN”
THE LORD’S PRAYER – we prepare ourselves to receive the Bread of Life
“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
PRIEST: Deliver us Lord from every evil, and grant us peace in our day. In your mercy keep us free from sin and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
OUR RESPONSE: “For the kingdom and the power and the glory are yours now and forever.”
THE SIGN OF PEACE – At the Last Supper our Lord said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you.”
PRIEST: “Let us offer each other the sign of peace.”
OUR RESPONSE: We shake hands
THE LAMB OF GOD – As we prepare to eat the Flesh of the Lamb of God we ask Him for mercy and peace.
TOGETHER WITH THE PRIEST WE SAY: “Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.”
“LORD, I AM NOT WORTHY” – we are about to take the God of the Universe onto our tongue and into our body. We are made worthy by His Body, His Blood and His sacrifice.
PRIEST: “Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.”
OUR RESPONSE: “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my souls shall be healed.”
RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION – the Body and Blood of Christ directly on tongue or in hand
PRIEST: “The Body of Christ” AND “The Blood of Christ”
OUR RESPONSE: “Amen”
‘DOING THE DISHES’ – The Mass is a meal. Priest will clean the vessels that were used for the distribution of Holy Communion. Every bit of the Body and Blood must be consumed or reverently put back in the tabernacle.
THE SENDING – We are sent out into the world to share the graces (the Body and Blood of Christ) we just received.
PRIEST: “Go in peace”
OUR RESPONSE: “Thanks be to God.”
“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst…'”
Source: John, chapter 6:35 USCCB.org
“Take and Eat” Video
Lyrics, “Take and Eat” by Michael Joncas
Source: CatholicHymnBlogspot.com
“Take and Eat”
“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.”
“I am the Word that spoke and light was made;
I am the seed that died to be reborn;
I am the bread that comes from heav’n above;
I am the vine that fills your cup with joy.”
“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.”
“I am the way that leads the exile home;
I am the truth that sets the captive free;
I am the life that raises up the dead;
I am your peace, true peace my gift to you.”
“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.”
“I am the Lamb that takes away your sin;
I am the gate that guards you night and day;
You are my flock: you know the shepherd’s voice;
You are my own: your ransom is my blood.”
“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.”
“I am the cornerstone that God has laid;
A chosen stone and precious in his eyes;
You are God’s dwelling place, on me you rest;
Like living stones, a temple for God’s praise.”
“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.”
“I am the light that came into the world;
I am the light that darkness cannot hide;
I am the morning star that never sets;
Lift up your face, in you my light will shine.”
“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.”
“I am the first and last, the Living One;
I am the Lord who died that you might live;
I am the bridegroom, this my wedding song;
You are my bride, come to the marriage feast.”
James Quinn
A Communion Prayer for Children
Prayer from “Blessed First Communion” PDF page 162 DynamicCatholic.Com
Prayer poster was designed by Kim N. Buckley. The children can decorate it to display at home.
Learning from Different Sources–Materials for Children
Note* These books offer different ways for children to learn about First Holy Communion and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. An eight year-old child may like the short “chapter book” of A Communion of the Heart, while a visual learner, or younger child, may prefer The Bread of Life Coloring and Activity Book. Both books are charming and helpful.
The books above are available at many book stores. For convenience, these are linked to Amazon.com. I own these books and do not receive anything from Amazon.com, or any other source.
First Holy Communion Bible: St. Joseph Edition
We Believe & Celebrate FIRST COMMUNION Sadlier Sacrament Program
Catholic Prayer Book for Children
Brother Francis The Bread of Life Coloring & Activity Book
Our Art Project–Sacred Vessels for Eucharist
The two painted collages at the top of this page, were painted with children’s liquid acrylic paint on watercolor paper.
The process is as follows:
1. Squirt an Oreo-size glob of both white liquid glue and liquid acrylic paint onto a paper plate, for the back ground color.
2. Mix with brush and start painting the watercolor paper, rapidly. You can make stripes or any design you like on the glue/paint mixture.
3. While still wet, add the color you want for the background.
4. Using a wide paint brush, drag the brush over the white mixture to allow for incomplete coverage. I like seeing bits of white peek through the color. Let dry.
5. Repeat the process for the second color needed to make the chalice and paten.
6. When completely dry, flip painted side with (second color) over to trace an inverted bowl or plate to make a circle for the paten. For the chalice, I drew, free-hand, the top part of the chalice, the cup, and the stem and base of the chalice, and added “gold” circles made with large hole punch. The parts of the chalice are the cup, the stem, the base that is wider than the cup, and midway down the stem, a “knot,” which is made for easy drinking from the chalice.
6. Finish with gold and silver metallic children’s acrylic paint and let dry. Glue down onto background painting.
“The Chalice”
“The chalice is a sacred glass in which the Holy Blood is held. It consists of a base, a knot and a cup. It is made of gold or silver (or at least must have a gilded or silver cup); only the clergy can touch the chalice and paten (or sacristan as part of their duty).”
“The Paten”
“Paten is another consecrated item, shallow, forged saucer for the Holy Body. From the same substance as the chalice, at least inwardly gilded. Chalices and patens are consecrated by the bishop. They point to Jesus’ new tomb.”
Source: VCatholic.com
Suggested Family Activities-Week 40, April 29, 2023
Please read the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 3:13-17 with your children.
“The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord”
Source: USCCB.org “Gospel Mt 3:13-17″
“Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan
to be baptized by him.
John tried to prevent him, saying,
‘I need to be baptized by you,
and yet you are coming to me?’
Jesus said to him in reply,
‘Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us
to fulfill all righteousness.’
Then he allowed him.
After Jesus was baptized,
he came up from the water and behold,
the heavens were opened for him,
and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove
and coming upon him.
And a voice came from the heavens, saying,
‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’”
Talk with your child about Baptisms they might have seen in church. Talk about family members and friends who attended their baptism.