St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church
First Reconciliation & First Communion Handbook
Fall 2016
Welcome to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church
Sacramental Preparation Program!
Our program is designed to assist you in preparing your child to receive the sacraments of Penance (Reconciliation), and Holy Eucharist. We are here to support you and provide you with the materials you will need to assure that your child is ready.
Table of Contents
PARENT CLASS…………………………………………………………………………………………………….… 5
INTERVIEW/ASSESSMENT…………………………………………………………………….………………… 6
THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE………………………………………………………………………………. 7
SCHEDULE OF CONFESSIONS…………………………………………………………………………………… 8
BOOKS AND MATERIALS FOR PARENT/CHILD HOME STUDY………………………………….. 9
NORMS FOR READINESS………………………………………………………………………………………..…11
DIOCESAN POLICIES…………………………………………………………………………………………………11
PRAYERS TO KNOW…………………………………………………………………………………………………12
ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON MASS SCHEDULE ……………………………………………………….13
RECOMMENDED ATTIRE FOR FIRST COMMUNION ………………………………………………..14
CERTIFICATES…………………………………………………………………………………………………………14
NOTES …………………………………………………………………………..………………………………………15
Parent Class
In addition to the books you are being given and the guidance to use them, a very important component of the program is a series of classes on the Eucharist, called the Bread of Life (Eucharist Study) course. This class is designed to instruct, enrich and deepen your understanding of the Eucharist, so that you will be better able to pass on your love for Jesus in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass to your child. Coming to this class also gives you a wonderful opportunity to have fellowship together with other parents so you can share common experiences as you catechize your children.
It consists of nine one hour classes, given twice a month from October through February (with only one class in December). This parent class is offered during regular RE catechism classes on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, or if you prefer, as five two- hour classes on Saturdays (see schedule of classes at
“Parents not only have the right but also the responsibility to be intimately involved in preparing their child for First Holy Communion. Therefore, they should participate in the parish adult pre-sacramental catechesis.” (CCC 2223, 2225); also(Guidelines for the Preparation and Celebration ofthe Sacrament of Eucharist for the Diocese of Fort Worth)
On alternate weeks, when Bread of Life is not offered, you will, if you wish, be able to attend Quick Connect (Gospel Study), a chance to meet in a small group setting to prayerfully meditate on the Gospel, share the fruits of your prayer, and learn what the Church teaches.
Interview/Assessment
As parents, it is your responsibility to carry out the promise you made at your child’s Baptism:
“You have asked to have your child baptized. In doing so you are accepting the responsibility of training him (her) in the practice of the faith. It will be your duty to bring him (her) up to keep God's commandments as Christ taught us, by loving God and our neighbor. Do you clearly understand what you are undertaking?”
As the primary educator of your child, it will be up to you to determine when your child is ready to be brought in for an assessment of his or her readiness to receive First Communion. When you and your child have read and studied the books you have received, and the Bread of Life course has concluded, you may attend one of the scheduled assessment days or call the office of Elementary Religious Education and schedule an appointment to bring your child in for an interview/oral assessment.
The norms for a child to receive First Communion are:
- The child demonstrates a desire to celebrate the sacrament of First Eucharist.
- The child demonstrates age-appropriate understanding of the sacrament.
- The child is participating in the Eucharistic liturgy every Sunday and holy day of obligation.
- The child has made a good confession (schedule on p. 8).
- The child knows how to receive communion.
- The child is at least 7 years of age.
Once an assessment is done and it is determined that the above requirements have been fulfilled, you may schedule a date for your child’s First Communion on a day that suits your family.
The Sacrament of Penance
In this year of mercy, we are especially aware of God’s unlimited outpouring of love and forgiveness. Our Lord gave us the gift of the sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation) as a means of returning sorrowfully to Him after turning away in sin, and being forgiven and joyfully welcomed back into His loving embrace.
The Church teaches us that it is necessary to make a sacramental confession before receiving Our Lord in the Eucharist for the first time, as we should rightfully be in a state of grace before approaching Him in the Blessed Sacrament.
“Children must go to the sacrament of penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time.” (CCC 1457)
When your child has reached the age of reason (knowing right from wrong), about the age of seven, has an understanding of sin, knows of God’s forgiveness and Jesus’s saving sacrifice, and has learned the steps to making a good sacramental confession, it is your duty to bring him or her to confession. We have included a list of times and places where confessions are available, not only here at SEAS, but at several surrounding parishes.
Again, we cannot stress enough the importance of being a model to your child in the practice of our Faith. Going frequently together to confession will strengthen your entire family and open you to an outpouring of graces.
Schedule of Confessions
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church Thursdays from 6:00-7:00 pm
St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, Saturdays from 9:30-11:30 am
North Richland Hills
Good Shepherd, Colleyville Monday: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Wednesday: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Thursday: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Saturday: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
St. Francis, Grapevine Saturday: 3:30 PM and by appointment
St. Thomas the Apostle, Ft. Worth Saturday: 3:15 PM or by appointment
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Ft. Worth 30 min Before Mass (Saturday and Sunday),
and by appointment
St. Mark, Denton Saturday: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
St. Patrick Cathedral, Ft. Worth Weekdays: Half Hour Before Mass
Saturday: 4:30 PM
Or you can find Confession schedules for any parish in the diocese at:
Books and Materials for Parent/Child Home Study
Tonight you are receiving the Sacrament Preparation packet, which contains materials for you and your child to read and study at home. These includetheSt. Joseph New American Catechism, which teaches the basics of our Catholic Faith, and later, in October, your child will be given the Sunday Missal for Young Catholics, which will help your child grow in participating more fully in the Mass.
Living the 10 Commandments for Children and Going to Confessionwill help you give your child a better understanding of personal sin and of God’s mercy, in preparation for the sacrament of Penance. Your child will learn the steps to making a good examination of conscience, guided by the Ten Commandments; they will grow in their sense of sorrow for offending God; and they will learn how to make a good confession.
Finally, you will receive the Little Catechism on the Eucharist, which, together with what you will be offered in the Bread of Life classes, will assist you in ensuring a fervent love for the Eucharist in your child. The first part of this little book is a catechism on the Eucharist, to be read and talked about with your child. The second part tells the stories of different Eucharistic miracles recognized by the Church, and the third part tells the stories of different saints through the ages who have had a particular devotion to Our Lord Jesus in the Eucharist.
All of these books can be read, discussed, and enjoyed together at your own pace. You can best gauge your child’s understanding and readiness to move on in their studies. There is no deadline, or “right” time to complete the sacramental preparation materials. However, the suggested schedule on p.15 may be helpful.
In addition to reading and studying together, it is absolutely vital that you be attending Mass together every Sunday, going to frequent confession, and praying together every day. Only in living and practicing the Faith as a family will your children develop a lifelong bond to our Lord through His holy Church, and be able to face the very real challenges that will confront them in life. You are giving your children the very best gift possible by helping them to grow in a very personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and drawing them close to God’s powerful protection and saving graces offered to us through our Catholic Faith.
May Our Lord and His Blessed Mother watch over you and guide you through this most beautiful time of growing with your children in faith, and bringing them to His altar to receive His most precious Body and Blood.
If at any time through your child’s preparation for the reception of the sacraments of Penance and Eucharist, you have any questions, or would like to talk about your child’s progress, please don’t hesitate to call me or email me.
Jean Stirton, Coordinator of Elementary Religious Education
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church
2016 Willis Lane, Keller, TX 76248
(817) 431-6023
“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.”
John 6:54
Norms for Readiness
The candidate demonstrates a desire to celebrate the sacrament of First Eucharist.
The candidate demonstrates age-appropriate understanding of the sacrament.
The candidate is participating in the Sunday Eucharistic liturgy on a regular basis.
The candidate knows how to receive communion.
Diocesan Policies
The candidate is a churched, baptized Catholic.
The candidate has reached the age of discretion.
At least one active Catholic adult must be willing to support a minor’s faith journey.
A copy of your child’s Baptismal Certificateis required.
Prayers to Know
The Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
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. Amen
Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace! The Lord is with thee!
Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen
The Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You. I detest all my sins because of Your just punishments, but most of all because they offend You, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace*, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen
OR: - …*to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen.
Glory Be
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Mass Schedule
Saturday Vigil:
4:00 PM, 5:30 PM (English)
Sunday Mass:
7:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 5:00 PM (English)
1:00 PM (Spanish)
Weekday Mass:
Monday: 9:00 AM, 6:30 PM (English)
Tuesday: 9:00 AM (English)
Wednesday: 9:00 AM, 6:30 PM (English)
Thursday: 9:00 AM (English)
Friday: 9:00 AM, 6:30 PM (English)
Saturday: 9:00 AM (English)
Holy Days:
9:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 7:00 PM (English)
Recommended Attirefor First Communion
Girls
White or “Sunday Best” dress (most dress in white)
Please remember that spaghetti strapped, tank-top, and sleeveless dresses
are not allowed unless a white shrug, bolero, or sweater is worn over them.
Veil
White stockings, tights or nylons
Dress shoes
Boys
White or pastel dress shirt, long or short sleeve
Dark dress slacks
Tie
Dark Socks
Dress Shoes – No athletic shoes
A suit would be appropriate, if desired.
Certificates
A Certificate of First Holy Communion may be picked up at the Parish Office two to three weeks after your child’s First Communion. Please call our office in advance to be sure it is printed and ready to pick up. (817) 431-6023
The following timeline may be useful to help your family plan:
Bread of Life Seriesfor Parents / Assessment Days / First Holy Communion
(Best Months)
Oct., Nov., Dec., Jan., Feb. / March 20, 2017 5-7pm & March 25, 2017 9am-noon / April, May, June, July 2017
Notes
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