St.

Joseph Catholic Church Student Handbook

For First Reconciliation & First Communion

2011-2012 School Year

IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION

St. Joseph First Sacraments Class Expectations

1. As Second Grade Students, you are expected to attend Mass each week with your family and to develop the habit of daily prayer. 2. Second Grade Students will be expected to attend the First Communion Retreat in the Spring. 3. Note to Parents: there will be three required parent/guardian meetings (fall, winter, spring). See the calendar for dates. 4. For all students not baptized at St. Joseph Church (and not attending St. Joseph School) please bring a copy of your childs baptismal record to the Church Office.

Address and Phone: St. Joseph Catholic Church 211 Atlantic Avenue Shreveport, LA 71105 318-865-3581 (phone) 318-865-5125 (fax) Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. Religious Education Staff: Deacon Bill Roche Director of Religious Education email: broche@stjosephchurch.net Jennie Murphy Asst. Director of Religious Education email: jmurphy@stjosephchurch.net Parish Recordkeeping Staff (for sacramental certificates, change of address, etc.) Jennie Murphy Parish Receptionist email: jmurphy@stjosephchurch.net Kathy Schimschock Parish Secretary email: kschimschock@stjosephchurch.net

Jennie Murphy Asst. Director of Religious Education

Retreat The Retreat will consist of both fun and Catechesis to help prepare the First Communicates for their First Sacraments. The retreat is MANDATORY for all First Communicates whether they are PSR or SJS students. If for some reason your child is unable to attend the retreat, they will be given an opportunity to receive the information that was given and create their pew marker for their First Communion Mass. Retreat Outline Begin with short prayer service and ice breakers. Show & Tell of things used during the Mass Have one of the Priests or Deacons give a show and tell presentation about the different instruments used during the Mass such as a chalice, ciborium, etc. Practice receiving Holy Communion Break off into groups for different activities Making pew markers for the First Communion Mass Presentation on Holy Communion and Reconciliation Trivia Game relating to the First Sacraments Lunch

Prayers for First Communicants

First Communicants should have a proficient knowledge of the following The Sign of the Cross In the name of the Father, and of the Song, and of the Holy Spirit. 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. 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. Our Father Our Father, who are 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.

Prayer to the Guardian Angel Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom Gods love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen Act of Contrition O my God I am heartily sorry for having offended thee and I detest all of my sins because of thy just punishments, but most of all because I have offended thee my God who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of thy grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen The Apostles Creed I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. The Ten Commandments You shall not have other gods besides Me. You shall not use Gods name in vain. Remember to keep Gods day holy. Honor your father and mother. You shall not kill. You shall not commit adultery You shall not steal You shall not lie. You shall not covet you neighbors wife. You shall not covet your neighbors goods.

FIRST COMMUNION MASS ATTIRE Girls may wear white dresses with or without veils, or a white skirt and blouse. No gloves may be worn. Boys may wear dress pants and a long or short sleeve shirt with a collar. Sweaters, vests and ties are optional. We expect "Sunday Best" for the celebration of this Sacrament. Children are not allowed to hold any religious items during the Mass. STUDENT REQUIREMENTS Attendance A childs regular attendance in class for a sacrament is critical. There is much to learn in a relatively short period of time. We understand, however, that illness and family schedules sometime make it necessary for students to be absent. As a courtesy, please notify your childs teacher in advance, if possible, and always check with the teacher to see what work was missed. Rehearsals There will be two separate rehearsal dates for the First Communion Masses. The dates for rehearsal are to be determined. Depending on which First Communion Mass your child will participate that will be the determining factor to which rehearsal date they will participate. Rehearsal will not be held on a weekend due to the many conflicts in schedules. It is MANDATORY that every child attends rehearsal.

HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD PREPARE FOR COMMUNION Parents must: 1. Attend weekly mass with your child. 2. Bring the childs baptismal certificate to the office by (unless the child was baptized at St. Joseph Catholic Church). The deadline for Baptismal certificates is FEBRUARY 1ST. If you are a member of a parish other than St. Joseph and your child is a PSR student here, we will need a letter from the priest of your parish saying that it is okay for your child to receive the Sacraments here at St. Joseph. 3. Attend parent meetings. 4. Attend the First Reconciliation service with your child. 5. Attend the rehearsal for First Communion with your child. 6. Help prepare your child for First Reconciliation and First Communion by doing the At-Home study. 7. Help your child learn their prayers (The Lords Prayer, Hail Mary, etc.)

Seven Sacraments of the Church Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Reconciliation (Confession), Anointing of the Sick, Marriage, Holy Orders Children will be tested throughout the year on their prayers in both the PSR classrooms as well as at St. Joseph School. Children who learn their Act of Contrition will be able to attend a special Act of Contrition party before their First Reconciliation.

Special Events throughout the year:

(Times & Dates to be announced) Christmas Movie Night (SJAC/GYM) Act of Contrition Party Mardi Gras Party First Sacraments Retreat

Important Dates:
First Communion Masses 4/28 at 1:00pm and 4/29 at 3:00pm First Communion Pictures 4/21 from 10:00am to 12:00noon (Church) First Reconciliation - February 8th at 7:00pm First Sacraments Retreat (TBAMarch)

Children must: 2. Attend mass weekly. 3. Be baptized. 4. Be faithful in attending Religious Education classes or attending St. Joseph Catholic School where taught daily. 5. Complete At-Home work provided by teachers. 6. Attend the First Reconciliation service. 7. Attend the rehearsal for First Communion. Learn your prayers (The Lords Prayer, Hail Mary, etc.)

Parent Meeting Dates:

January 22nd at 10:45am in the Main Hall of the Family Life Center March 18th at 10:45am in the Main Hall of the Family Life Center

ABOUT THE SACRAMENTS OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST AND PENANCE Sacraments are an outward sign of Gods love. The sacrament of the Holy Eucharist is one of three sacraments of initiation in the Church. The other two are Baptism and Confirmation. Holy Eucharist is also called Holy Communion because by this sacrament we unite ourselves to Christ, who makes us sharers in his Body and Blood. The sacrament of Penance is one of healing, and is also known as the sacrament of Conversion, Confession, or Reconciliation. SEQUENCE OF SACRAMENTS In the Diocese of Shreveport, children generally receive their sacraments of initiation in this order: Baptism first, First Communion second, and Confirmation last. Children make their First Penance shortly before making their First Communion. Parents must provide proof of their childs Baptism, unless the child was Baptized at St. Joseph Parish.

READINESS FOR THE SACRAMENTS Discerning your childs readiness for First Communion takes time, thought and prayer. As your child moves through the immediate preparation for the sacrament, take note of how his or her awareness of the Eucharist grows and changes. Consider not only what your child knows about the Eucharist, but also how he or she responds to the Eucharist, feels about it, and relates to Jesus in the Eucharistic liturgy. Here are some questions that might aid you in this discernment. Does he care about the Mass? Is your child on autopilot through the liturgy, or is he beginning to take notice of the parts of the Mass? Does she sing the hymns and acclamations? Does he pray with the congregation? Does she listen attentively during the Liturgy of the Word? Does he talk about what he has heard in the readings or homily after Mass? Does she pay close attention to the Eucharistic prayer and the words of Institution (the words reiterating the actions of Jesus at the Last Supper)?

WHAT THE CHURCH SAYS ABOUT THE SACRAMENTS SACRAMENT OF PENANCE According to the Church's command, "after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year." Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having first received sacramental absolution, unless he has a grave reason for receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession. Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time. (CCC #1457) SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION The Eucharist is "the source and summit of the Christian life." "The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch." (CCC #1324)

Does she understand the meaning of the Eucharist? Does your child love Jesus Christ, and know that Jesus loves her? Is she living her faith, trying to live as a disciple of Jesus? Does she understand that at the Last Supper, Jesus gave us a special gift of himself to be with us forever? Does he understand that when we gather for the Eucharist, the gifts of bread and wine are changed into the Body and Blood of Jesus? Does she realize that when we receive the consecrated bread and wine, we receive Jesus in our bodies, as food for our hearts and souls? Is he eager to receive First Communion? Does your child feel a longing or a spiritual excitement about receiving First Communion? Does she feel left out not receiving Communion with others in the community? Does he ask questions about how we receive Communion, or why others gathered at Mass do not go forward to receive Communion? Does she talk positively about her First Communion?