First Eucharist

  "Do this in remembrance of me."  

The Sacrament of the Eucharist completes the Sacraments of Initiation, those sacraments which welcome each of us into the Church as full-fledged members.  The Eucharist is the Source and Summit of Christian life, the spiritual food which binds us intimately with Christ Jesus, and the continuation of the Church's celebration of Jesus' Last Supper meal.

We all know how important First Eucharist is.  Families look forward to seeing their child receiving the bread and wine for the first time.  It is central to our tradition because it announces that this person can now do what everyone else does at Mass, come forward to be fed by God.  In the early Church, it was the final step of all.  Today it has become such a big event that often the celebration overshadows the reason for receiving the sacrament.  The purpose is to initiate the child into the Catholic faith.  It marks a step along the way of coming to know how closely God is involved in our lives.  God who gives us life itself, provides the very nourishment that will enable us to be good and holy (whole) human beings.  The First Eucharist Program at Our Lady of Sorrows parish is designed to help families give their children a way to experience faith as something they can recognize and grow with.

Although this sacrament is often received by children in second grade, older children who have not received this sacrament are welcome to participate.  The parish does not put older children in the same setting as the younger children while preparing for the sacrament.  For those children who are in third grade and above who need to receive the sacrament, a take-home kit will be provided for family home study use.  Please contact AnneMarie Dion for more information and to request a take-home kit for your child.

Parish Preparations
As parishioners, we ask that all children attend Mass regularly prior to their First Eucharist celebration date.  In doing so, children will better understand the importance Eucharist holds in our faith, and come to recognize the significance of their participation in the Mass.  Regular Mass attendance is important if families truly wish for their children to participate in the sacrament of the Eucharist, especially beyond simply their celebration date.

Faith Formation Program Preparations
Second Grade is our parish Faith Formation Program's sacramental preparatory year.  All second-grade students wishing to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist should register with the Office of Faith Formation prior to the start of the program year.  Once registered, students will participate in Faith Formation classes designed around preparing them for the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist.  These classes are part of the formal education in the Catholic faith.  Students at Our Lady of Sorrows utilize the in-class curriculum Blest are We series by RCL Benziger.  

Family Preparations
Families preparing for First Eucharist should try to establish two habits if they aren't already in place.

     First, come to Mass as often as possible.  Regular weekly Mass attendance is the goal.  If some pattern of regular Mass attendance is not established as a family habit, children will not really understand First Eucharist and will have little basis for practicing the Faith as they get older.  If you value the sacraments enough to send your child to Faith Formation classes, then you have to consider a regular pattern of attendance at Mass to be a crucial part of the program.  The sacraments are not "one and done" occasions where we dress up for a day and parade through the Church, only never to return except for when we are eligible to receive the next sacrament.  We receive the sacraments with the intention of using them and benefiting from them in our daily lives.

     Second, do some kind of prayer at home each day.  It could be a prayer in the morning, a meal prayer,  an evening or bedtime prayer.  The preferred choice for this year would be to say the Our Father because that prayer is the one that enables children to more fully participate in the Mass.  Your pattern should always be the same: begin with the Sign of the Cross, say the Our Father and end with the Sign of the Cross.  This is the pattern children are taught in our Faith Formation classes.  If your child already knows the Our Father by heart, then introducing them to a meal prayer or the Hail Mary would be a good next step.  

Families will receive an at-home curriculum which allows for parent and child to explore the mysteries of the Eucharist together and at their own pace.  This curriculum is provided in conjunction with the in-class curriculum in order to ensure that parents and children are given all the necessary preparations for joining the parish community at the Table of Christ.  

Mini-Retreat Day
On March 24, 2018, Our Lady of Sorrows will host a special Saturday retreat for all those families preparing to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist.  This special event is a highlight of the preparation process for our second graders and their families.  At least one parent from each family MUST attend with their child.  We will have a juice and snack to start, bake bread together, take a guided tour of the Church, make a First Eucharist family pew marker, and sing and pray together.  Parents and children enjoy this laid back and fun time together as a parish community.  We conclude the retreat with Mass which gives families an opportunity to participate in the Liturgy of the Eucharist with a new and often higher understanding of the sacrament.  Families should expect to attend for the full retreat time frame.

Rehearsals
This is the concrete practice and learning experience so children and parents will be comfortable and able to fully participate in the First Eucharist celebration.  We rehearse everything from the procession to actual reception of the bread and wine used at Mass so that children will know what to expect.  A parent or one adult member of each child's family (that will be in the pew on the child's day of celebration) MUST attend.  


Celebration Dates

Saturday, May 12, 2018 at 1PM & 430PM and Sunday, May 13, 2018  at 845AM & 11AM

Please note: Reservations for preferred celebration dates will be accepted starting at the First Eucharist Parent Meeting on Sunday, February 4th, 2018.  A sign-up sheet will be available at the meeting.

Families should plan to arrive at the Church 15-20 minutes ahead of their scheduled celebration Mass time.  Children will process in from the main doors of the Church and then sit with their families in pews marked by the banners created at the mini-retreat experience.  Each family will have a full pew reserved for their use, and designated general seating areas will be available for all family members who cannot fit in the marked pew.  Guidance will be provided to all families and extended members as they enter the Church at each celebration.  There will be worship booklets that give all the prayers, songs and responses so that everyone can fully participate in each celebration.

Dress Code
In the past, 100% of girls have worn the white Communion gown.  While we do not require girls to wear this traditional white dress, it is important to remember that this is a sacramental occasion for the very young, therefore, proper dress is required.  Girls are required to have covered shoulders.  Please, no strapless or strappy dresses.  If your child must wear a strappy dress, please provide her with a sweater or shawl to wear during the Church celebration.  Veils and white gloves, though often worn, are not required.  Gloves are to be removed prior to receiving the Eucharist, as a person may only receive the Body and Blood of Christ with bare hands.  Dresses can be a pretty spring dress and not necessarily the traditional Communion Gown.  Shoes should be comfortable and low-heeled.  No high-heels please, as inexperienced high-heeled walkers could twist an ankle during the procession or while going up to receive the Eucharist.

Roughly one-quarter of boys wear the traditional white suit.  Again, as we do not require girls to wear the gown, we also do not require that boys wear this traditional Communion Suit.  Boys could choose to wear any color suit or sportcoat.  At a minimum, they are required to wear a jacket, tie and dress pants.  Leather dress shoes, no sneakers or running shoes, please.

NOTE: If you would like a traditional white Communion Gown but are in a financial bind, please contact AnneMarie Dion for information on donated dresses, shoes and accessories for your child.  We are blessed here at Our Lady of Sorrows with generous parishioners who have donated items in the hopes of enabling all children of the Parish to participate in the wonderful celebrations of First Eucharist without feeling a financial burden.

Baptismal Record
A Baptismal record should have been supplied when registering a child for Faith Formation classes.  If one has not been provided, the Office of Faith Formation must receive a copy of a Baptismal certificate for each child prior to May 1st, 2018.  If you are unsure as to whether you have already submitted a copy of your child's Baptismal certificate, please contact AnneMarie Dion.  

For children not baptized at Our Lady of Sorrows, please contact the parish where your child was baptized, explain that your child is receiving First Eucharist and request a copy of the Baptismal Record.  If your child was baptized at Our Lady of Sorrows, please call the parish main office at 781.784.2265 to request a copy be sent to the Office of Faith Formation for sacramental purposes.

If you have any questions or concerns at any time throughout the year, do not hesitate to call AnneMarie Dion in the Office of Faith Formation, 781.784.2265 ext. 238 or email adion@olossharon.org