Preparing to Celebrate First Holy Communion

“...[Jesus] took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

(1 Corinthians 11:23-25)

Celebrating First Holy Communion at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic ChurchThis is a special time for your child and your family. You are taking one more step on your journey with Jesus. This booklet will help you prepare to receive First Holy Communion at Our Lady of Lourdes Church.

As a parish, Our Lady of Lourdes takes its responsibility in the preparation and celebration of First Holy Communion very seriously. The parish family is here to help you prepare in accord with the dignity of Holy Communion, the requirements of the Archdiocese of Miami and in keeping with the universal law of the Church. This booklet has been prepared for the specific purpose of facilitating the process for you, our registered parishioner.

Note to Non-Parishioners: We will be happy to assist those who are not parishioners of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, and who desire to receive First Holy Communion, to contact the proper person to begin the preparation process at their home parish.

When is a Child Ready to Receive First Holy Communion?

A child who,

• desires Holy Communion;

• is a baptized a member of the Catholic Church;

• regularly attends Sunday Mass (Our Lady of Lourdes requires that parish records reflect that the family has attended Sunday Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Church at least 30 Sundays for the year prior to receiving First Communion);

• is in second grade or higher; and

• has and an age-appropriate understanding of Jesus’ love, His forgiveness and His presence in the Eucharist (Our Lady of Lourdes provides Christian Formation classes in order to help the candidate successfully express this understanding).

is considered to be ready to receive First Holy Communion.

Registration

You may register child anytime for classes at the Office of Christian Formation during normal office hours.

First Year of Preparation Required at the Time of Registration

• Students should be of first grade age or older: once a child reaches middle school grade or higher the child prepares to receive both First Holy Communion and Confirmation;

• Parent(s) must be active member(s) of the parish using offertory envelopes or participating in online giving through the parish’s Faith Direct Program (Our Lady of Lourdes requires that parish records reflect that the family has attended Sunday Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Church at least 30 Sundays for the year prior to receiving First Communion);

• Completed Registration Form;

• Birth Certificate;

• Baptism Certificate;

• If applicable; a notarized Letter of Permission from a non-Catholic parent or a non-custodial parent;

• If applicable; should the parent registering the child have sole custody of him/her, a copy of the Divorce Decree and/or Separation Agreement is required to prove sole legal custody of child.

Second Year of Preparation Required at the Time of Registration

• Students should provide evidence of prior preparation leading to a command of the information provided in the First Year of Preparation;

• Parent(s) must be active member(s) of the parish using offertory envelopes or participating in online giving through the parish’s Faith Direct Program. (Our Lady of Lourdes requires that parish records reflect that the family has attended Sunday Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Church at least 30 Sundays for the year prior to receiving First Communion);

• Review, and update if necessary, the Registration Form;

• If a change occurred in the past year within the family, such as divorce, separation and/or custody of child, and the parent re-registering the child has sole custody, he/she must provide a copy of their Divorce Decree or/and Separation Agreement showing sole legal custody. Or, if joint custody has been awarded, a notarized Letter of Permission from the non-custodial parent is required.

Normally, First Reconciliation is celebrated during the season of Lent for the students in the second year of the program. This celebration at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish is a beautiful and very important experience in the life of the child, that is why one parent is required to be present during this solemn and prayerful service.

The students are taught the essentials of how to go to Confession in class but parents are encouraged to work with their child(ren) at home to help him/her become comfortable with Confession. Children must know by memory the basic prayers of the Church and the Act of Contrition before making their first Confession. Children are encouraged to say the Act of Contrition every night as part of their bedtime prayers.

There is no rehearsal or special dress code for First Reconciliation. But children and accompanying adults should be neatly and modestly dressed in a manner appropriate for the Church, as it is the celebration of a Sacrament.

It is also not permitted to take photographs of the child while they are confessing. This is a private and confidential moment in his or her life and should be given the upmost respect and privacy.

Sacrament of First ReconciliationWhat about First Reconciliation (Confession)?

The Sacrament of First Holy CommunionFirst Communion Schedule and Rehearsal Information

• First Communions are celebrated Saturdays during the Easter Season. They are usually at 9:30 am and 12:00 pm;

• Rehearsals take place during class time;

• It is mandatory for the student and at least one parent to attend his/her scheduled rehearsal date. Failure to do so may make it necessary to change the date the child is scheduled to celebrate his or her First Communion.

First Communion Dress Code For Girls

• White dresses (no pants)

• Dresses should reach right below the knee (no long dresses please)

• White shoulder length veil or simple floral headpiece or bow

• White dress shoes

• White stockings (no socks)

• No gloves, bible or rosary are allowed to be carried by the child at the time of procession or during the Mass

First Communion Dress Code For Boys

Option One

• Dark suit or dark slacks (black or navy blue)

• White collared long sleeve shirt

• Dark tie (no bow tie)

• Dark dress shoes (no sneakers)

• Dark socks

Option Two

• White suit or white slacks

• Boys may wear white bow on the right sleeve of coat or shirt, as it is worn in some cultural traditions

• White collared long sleeve shirt

• White tie (no bow tie)

• White or dark dress shoes (no sneakers)

• White socks

• No gloves, bible or rosary are allowed to be carried by the child at the time of procession or during the Mass

Other Important Information

Other important information not covered in this booklet such as specific schedules, photographs, videotaping, and other matters for parents, family members and guests attending a ceremony will be addressed at the mandatory parents meeting scheduled closer to the time of the child’s the sacrament of First Holy Communion.

PrayersThe Sign of the Cross and the Our Father must be memorized by the end of September of the first year, the Hail Mary and the Trinity Prayer (Glory be to the Father) must be memorized by the end of October of the first year, and the Act of Sorrow by the end of November of the first year. The Apostles Creed must be memorized by the end of September of the second year.

The Sign of the Cross: In the name of the † Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Our FatherOur 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 MaryHail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee blessed art thou amongst 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

Trinity PrayerGlory 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

Act of Sorrow / Act of ContritionMy God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In His name, my God, have mercy. Amen

The Apostles CreedI believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father almighty, from thence He shall come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Sprit, the holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church 11291 SW 142nd Avenue Miami, FL 33186

Phone: (305) 386-4121 | Fax: (305) 386-6881Parish Website: www.ololourdes.org

@ololourdes OLOL Catholic Church Miami FL @OLOLCatholicMiami

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