This page has been created to assist parents who have registered children for the current school year. We look forward to journeying with you as you prepare your child for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist.   Through Christian Formation and a home study program from Our Sunday Visitor, Encounter with Christ, your child will prepare for First Sacraments.  Know you are not alone and that the parish is here to support you as the primary catechists of your child's faith for, "God does not choose the equipped; God equips the chosen."
 

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First Communion will be celebrated the weekend of May 15/16. A copy of your child's Baptismal certificate is required in order for your child to receive First Communion.  Please submit a copy to the parish office by March 28, 2021.  If your child was baptized at Holy Family, you do not need to submit a Baptismal certificate.

Church of the Holy Family uses Encounter with Christ, a curriculum published by Our Sunday Visitor (OSV). Below you will find ways to help you prepare your child for First Reconciliation as well as tips on how to maneuver the digital resources found at sacraments.osv.com.  

Books and Materials 

• Children's Materials. All children received their  Encounter with Christ Student Workbook at the Parent Class on March 7th.
• Parent Materials: The Parent Guide for Encounter with Christ and Preparing Your Child for First Eucharist were also distributed at that time.

Timeline for Workbook Completion

We have provided a suggested timeline for completing the home study program.  Click HERE for the suggested timeline. 

 

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As you follow the suggested timeline for completing the student workbook, Encounter with Christ below is information and helpful tips for each session as you work with your child in preparing for First Reconcilation. 

Introduction to Encounter with Christ: First Eucharist

Have your child complete the following pages (2nd grade completed in class, but we are asking parents to please check). These are ways of getting to know the people and places that to which the book will refer throughout the sessions. 
 

• Page 2: In This Book 
• Page 4: Our Parish
• Page 6: My Family
• Page 8: About Me

Session 1: We Belong 

Remind your child at Baptism, that he/she was welcomed into the Church family.  The Church helps us grow in faith through the sacraments, and Holy Communion nourishes us physically and spiritually so that we can be come what receive: we become Christ to the others. 

Session 2: We Gather

We gather for Mass to offer ourselves to God.  We are then sent out in the Dismissal to be Christ to the world.  Visit our parish website's home page to discover the different opportunities has to serve God and serve others.  

Session 3: We Listen and Respond

To review the parts of the Mass thus far and going forward, cut out cards for the Parts of the Mass and have your child put them in order.  A space has been provided on each card if the your child would like to draw a picture or symbol of that part of the Mass. Parts of the Mass Cards

Session 4: We Accept and Offer

With your child's My Mass Book that was distributed in November with First Reconciliation Books, have your child follow along Mass with the response.  During the consecration of the bread and wine, after each time the priest says, "Do this in memory of me" and raises each species, teach your child to bow his/her head and pray silently, "My Lord and my God, please increase my faith."

Session 5:

Session 6: 

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Helpful Tips for Each Session

• At the beginning of the session, when reading God's Word, read it twice to your child. 
  • The first time, ask your child to listen to the Scripture.
  • The second time, ask your child, what are they hearing, seeing, feeling as they hear the Scripture again. 
• Holy Spirit Stickers. In sections where your child reads about the Holy Spirit, have them select a Holy Spirit sticker from the back of the book and place it in the section that discusses the Holy Spirit. 
• At the end of each session, is the My Family in Our Parish, is an important activity that applies their learning.  They can connect what they have learned to something tangible in the church.  The best time to do this is before or after Mass.  

  

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Parent Information and Tips for Digital Resources

Click the links below for help with any of the following:
 

• Suggested Timeline for Completing the Encounter with Christ Student Workbook

• Creating a parent log-in  For Encounter with Christ web site (you will need your parent guide to register)

• How to use the Parent Guide for Encounter with Christ

• Accessing Session Videos

 

• Catechism of the Church

 

Parent Class is