Saint Michael the Archangel Faith Formation

Information Packet

for the Non-Baptized

3rd through 7th grade 2017-2018

Easter Vigil, March 31, 2018

IMPORTANT—The parents, students and sponsors MUST attend a pre-Baptism

class by November 2017

RCIA Adapted for Children Program

The Rite of Christian Initiation Adapted for Children is the practice of the Church for preparing non-baptized children 7 years of age and older for full participation in the sacramental life of the Church. These children or families:

1. Have not been baptized and would like to be received fully into the Catholic Church through Baptism.

2. Have been baptized in another Christian community and seek full reception into the Catholic Church.

3. Have been baptized Catholic as infants but who have not been in Faith Formation classes or have not received the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist in the usual course.

RCIA adapted for children is a minimum two year program that includes a four step process that takes place within the community of the faithful. Families must be pre-pared to do the following:

1. Complete the Sacrament readiness interview.

2. Participate in all the Rites and Scrutinies.

3. Attend weekly Mass and Mass on all Holy Days of Obligation.

4. Attend a minimum of two years of preparation sessions.

5. Attend all additional classes to be scheduled throughout the year.

6. Attend the First Communion Workshop and/or the Confirmation Retreat

Sponsors:

Each child will need a sponsor for Baptism and/or Confirmation. The requirements are as follows:

Must have received Baptism, Communion and Confirmation. Certifi-cates must be presented to the office.

If married, must be married in the Church. Present this Certificate to the Office.

Must be a practicing Catholic and must provide a “Letter of Good Standing” from their current parish.

RCIA Attendance Policy

Strong attendance by each candidate is extremely important. As a result, the following attendance policy has been adopted:

Attendance There are NO MAKE-UP CLASSES—Attendance is very important Three(3) or more absences of regular class, and One(1) absence of extra

classes may delay the student’s sacrament Three(3) tardies = one absence. If your child absolutely has to miss a class, the parent must contact the of-

fice and coordinate with the PCL. MASS Attendance

Mass attendance is a non-negotiable requirement. Illness is a legitimate ex-cuse.

If you do not attend St. Michael’s Mass you will need to provide a bulletin from the church that you attended with the current Sunday date on the calendar. You will turn in the bulletin to your teacher the following Monday.

Workshop Attendance

The hope is that all candidates can attend the St. Michael First Communion Retreat. If it is not possible to attend this workshop, the candidate may attend another 1

ST Communion workshop at another church – it will be the

candidate and/or the parents’ responsibility to find another retreat. Our retreat is the preferred retreat for preparation for Eucharist. If you have a con-flict with the schedule please let the coordinator know.

Emergency Cancellation of classes due to weather

Emergency text will be sent – ARE YOU REGISTERED FOR REMIND text service?

If you are unsure if classes are cancelled due to weather please go to the parish website: www.stmichaelgarland.org and/or the parish Face Book page. Thank you!

IMPORTANT DATES for NON-Baptized YOUTH

PAST DUE (was due April 17, 2017) - Saint Paper & Sponsor Info Form

Oct 15, or 16 **#1 PARENT WORKSHOP—REQUIRED

Oct 29 (Sun) Rite of Acceptance & Welcoming - All RCIA(2) – 10:30 AM Mass with Parent and/or Sponsor—REQUIRED

Nov 12, 13, or 15 **#2 PARENT WORKSHOP—REQUIRED

Nov 20 **Confirmation Sponsor Certificates—DEADLINE **Letter of Good Standing for Sponsors—DEADLINE Sponsor must take FORM to their church to be filled out by their Parish Church Secretary or pastor. The Form must include the Church stamp, the Confirmation Certificate & Marriage License (must be in Catholic Church).

Jan 13 (Sat) RCIA 1st Communion Workshop – 8:30 AM - 2 PM—REQUIRED

Jan 21, 22, or 24 **#3 PARENT WORKSHOP—REQUIRED

Jan 26-28 Confirmation Retreat TEENS– Mt. Lebanon Cedar Hill – REQUIRED

Jan 31 Teaching Mass—All Sacrament families attend

Feb 11 or 12 **#4 PARENT WORKSHOP—REQUIRED

Feb 12 ***Service Hours (High School)—HARD DEADLINE—NO EXCEPTIONS—Sacraments WILL BE DELAYED** ***Letter to Father— HARD DEADLINE—NO EXCEPTIONS—Sacraments WILL BE DELAYED**

Feb 18 TBA Rite of Sending—Non-Baptized

Feb 24 TBA Rite of Election—Non-Baptized—At the Cathedral

Mar 4 1st Scrutiny RCIA(2)Non-Baptized 10:30 AM Mass with parent or sponsor Mar 11 2nd Scrutiny RCIA(2)Non-Baptized 10:30 AM Mass with parent or sponsor Mar 18 3rd Scrutiny RCIA(2)Non-Baptized 10:30 AM Mass with parent or sponsor

Mar 31(Sat) Rehearsal—Student AND Sponsor—REQUIRED Time: 9:00 AM Where: Assigned Classrooms

+If a proxy is needed, they must first meet the same requirements as the Sponsor. Please notify and submit all documents for the proxy to the Faith Formation Office PRIOR TO February 6, 2017.

Mar 31 (Sat) Vigil Mass—Student AND Sponsor - Arrive: 7:30 PM in classrooms

All Parent Workshops meet : Sunday at 9 AM—Youth Room, Monday at 6:30—Youth Room OR Wednesday at 6:30 PM—#110-120

Additional Required Sacrament Prep Classes

In order to prepare your child to receive four(4) Sacraments this year, you and your child will be required to attend additional classes. We

will meet in room #110-120 as follows:

**Pre-Baptism Class—1st Thursday of Month—DEADLINE—NOV ‘17 Oct 4 (Wed) #1 SACRAMENT PREP CLASS—6:45 PM REQUIRED Oct 9 (Wed) #2 SACRAMENT PREP CLASS—6:45 PM REQUIRED Oct 25 (Wed) #3 SACRAMENT PREP CLASS—6:45 PM REQUIRED Nov 8 (Wed) #4 SACRAMENT PREP CLASS—6:45 PM REQUIRED Jan 10 Wed) #5 SACRAMENT PREP CLASS—6:45 PM REQUIRED Jan 17 (Wed) #6 SACRAMENT PREP CLASS—6:45 PM REQUIRED

IMPORTANT—The parents, students and sponsors MUST attend a pre-Baptism class by November 2017

Attendance is mandatory! There will be NO MAKE-UP classes!

Absences will delay Sacraments

Mass attendance is a non-negotiable requirement. Illness is a legitimate excuse.

If you do not attend St. Michael’s Mass you will need to provide a bulletin from the church that you attended with the current Sunday date on the calendar. You will turn in the bulletin to your teacher the following Monday.

Students 8th-12th grade MUST attend a Confirmation Retreat.

The RCIA JOURNEY HAS THE FOLLOWING STEPS: The period of Inquiry is the time when people ask questions about the Catholic Faith. In this pe-riod, they learn about the Scriptures, Salvation, Jesus and the kingdom message. There is no time requirement assigned to this period. When a person is ready then they move on. This program is for the Non-Baptized and those who were Baptized in another Christian

faith and who wish to become Catholic. This is also for those Baptized Catholics who have not been in Faith Formation Classes and

who now wish to complete their Sacraments of Initiation (Communion & Confirmation). The Period of Catechumenate begins when a person has accepted the saving power of

Christ in their life. They are formally welcomed in the Rite of Acceptance (for the non-Baptized) and Welcoming (for the Baptized) by St. Michael’s community at a Sunday Mass. They are then called catechumens (non-Baptized) or candidates (Baptized). During this time they attend the RCIA classes to learn more Scripture, the sacraments, how to live a moral life, and the ritual and the life of the church. They attend Mass and are called to re-flect more deeply on the Word of God.

The Period of Purification and Enlightenment corresponds to the beginning of Lent. It is the

time when the candidates are called a special name, “the Elect” and are encouraged to de-velop and increase their prayer life. The period normally begins with a Rite of Sending at St. Michael followed by the Rite of Election celebrated at the Cathedral in downtown Dallas. It is their first exposure to a larger church and to our shepherd, the Bishop. During this period, the Elect participate in three Scrutinies celebrated during the Sunday Masses beginning with the third Sunday of Lent and ending on the fifth Sunday of Lent.

The candidates who seek full membership into the Catholic Church join on Easter Vigil the night before Easter). The St. Michael’s community joyfully celebrates the Sacraments of Ini-tiation, Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation.

The Period of Mystagogy completes the initiation process. It begins after Easter Sunday and

extends into Pentecost. During this time, the newly initiated are called Neophytes and are encouraged to reflect on their experience and their new life in the church.

During this time, according to the teachings of the Catechism and the US Bishops,

children must continue to attend Faith Formation throughout their school years, through high school and even in to adulthood.

Actively serving in the community of St. Michael by serving at Mass, joining the youth group or Life Teen, or serving the hungry, the infirm, the unborn, and those in need in the our par-ish and the wider Dallas area.

IMPORTANT—The parents, students and sponsors MUST attend a pre-Baptism class by November 2017

The Rites in the Catechumenate Program

A Rite is like a bridge, taking you from one place to another on your Faith

Journey to Baptism, Confirmation and First Eucharist.

As you complete each Rite, you come closer and

closer to becoming a child of God and re-ceiving your Savior, Je-

sus Christ.

Choosing Your Saint

Your Paper should include: Your First & Last Name

1. One Sentence – Saint name, when and where he or she was born

2. Three Sentences – What you learned about the Saint 3. One Sentence – Why you chose the Saint

A part of the Confirmation process is choosing a saint and writing a report on that saint. The name of the saint you choose is the name that you will be Confirmed under. For example if you choose St. An-thony, you will be Confirmed: “Anthony, be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Often, people ques-tion why they have to write a report about a saint. The report is just a way to get to know more about the saint that you are choosing. The real importance is in really learning about different saints to find a saint that you really feel a connection with!

So, why is it even important to pick a saint? As Catholics, we know the power of having Mary and the saints pray (or interceded) for us. Many saints are patrons of different things, meaning they are the special protector or supporter of certain areas. For example, St. Cecilia is the patron saint of musicians and St. Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of animals. You may decide to choose a saint based upon what they are the patron of, but whatever saint you choose, they also become your patron. This means that they will be looking out for you in a special way for your entire life, until one day when you meet them in heaven!!

The saints also are great examples for us now of how to live our faith in the hope of getting to heaven. The saints came from different backgrounds, experienced different things, faced different struggles, but all loved Jesus and are now with Him in heaven. Like when white light passes through a prism and you can see the different colors, the saints allowed God to use them to reveal His different aspects, like His mercy, love, and faithfulness. There is also a great significance in taking on the saint’s name as your own. We see in both the Old and New Testament of the Bible the significance of names and how God gave people new names at important points in their lives. For example Abram became Abraham, Jacob became Israel, and Simon became Peter. (To find out what happened to this people check out Genesis 17:1-8, 32:23-29, and Matt 16:13-20!)

So, choosing a saint and taking on their names is not just one more thing you ‘have to do’ to get Con-firmed. It is a huge part of this important step in your life and a reflection of the beauty of the Catholic faith. So, please, take some time to find a saint you really have a connection with. If you have any trou-ble deciding on a saint, just ask and we will be happy to help!!

Where to research: -www.catholic.org/saints -www.catholic-forum.com/saints/indexsnt.htm -www.newadvent.org/cathen/index.html -St. Michael’s library/faith formation office

Choosing A Sponsor

WHO SHOULD YOU CHOOSE AS A BAPTISM and/or CONFIRMATION SPONSOR?

Someone whom you know that is a practicing Catholic in “good standing” with

the Church. This person does not have to be perfect, as none of us are. Instead, a

good candidate is a person who strives to live a holy life and to actively live their

Catholic faith. This would involve living a sacramental life by attending Mass every

Sunday and Reconciliation frequently. It should be someone who you admire and

someone who can help you better live out your Catholic faith. It is also helpful if it is

someone you feel you can talk about your faith and things going on in your life.

There may be different aspects of the Christian life that are most important to

you in a sponsor. Maybe you admire their holiness, or their prayerfulness, or their

commitment to service, or their willingness to sacrifice for others, or how they are liv-

ing out their vocation. There are many things you can look for in a sponsor, but

hopefully it is someone who exhibits love for God and their Catholic faith, integrity,

virtue, and a commitment to a life of holiness.

WHY DO YOU NEED A CONFIRMATION SPONSOR?

The way the saints became saints was by learning from other holy people,

namely other saints! They were individuals that wanted to do good, please God, and

someday go to heaven. Your sponsor is an additional role model and another guide.

When you go on a journey, you have to plan where to go, what to take, who to go

with, and how you’re going to get there. Your sponsor will be another person who will

help you to grow in your faith, guide you in what steps you need to take to do that,

make suggestions to help you in the right direction for your life, and ultimately be with

you and God in heaven. Your sponsor will also be responsible for making sure you

act as a true witness to Christ and that you have prepared for this Sacrament.

IMPORTANT—The parents, students and sponsors MUST attend a pre-Baptism class by November 2017

Qualifications for Sponsors

In order for a person to be qualified as a sponsor for Baptism and/or Confirmation, the following requirements must be met:

The sponsor must be sixteen years or older

The sponsor must be a practicing Catholic who has been Con-firmed and has already received the Sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist

If the sponsor is married, the marriage must be considered sacra-mental by the Catholic Church. This includes if a person is di-vorced and remarried. If you have questions about what con-stitutes a sacramental marriage please double check with Richard.

The sponsor does not need to be the same gender as the can-didate

The sponsor cannot be the father or the mother of the candidate.

It is recommended that the sponsor not be someone you are dat-ing.

The candidate can have only one sponsor.

It is desirable that the one who took the role of godmother or godfather at Baptism also be the sponsor for Confirmation, if possible. Please in-volve your parents in the decision of whom you should choose to be your sponsor.

If the sponsor is unable to be at the Confirmation Mass, another per-son (like a parent) may be asked to “stand in” at the actual ceremony. There are no meetings the sponsors need to attend. However, the sponsors will be mailed information including a guide for discussion with the candidate which they will be asked to return to the Faith Formation Office.

IMPORTANT—The parents, students and sponsors MUST attend a pre-Baptism class by November 2017

Confirmation “Letter To Father” Format

Another part of the Confirmation process is to write a letter to the Priest who administers the Sacra-ment. In this letter, you express something about yourself and what you have done to prepare to receive this Sacrament.

The letter should be hand written or typed and personally signed.

Confirmation Letter Template

Date ____________________________

Dear Reverend Father Joseph A. Mehan, Jr.,

My name is ______________. I want to be confirmed at St. Michael the Archangel

Catholic Church in Garland, Texas. I ask for Confirmation because

_____________________________________________________________________.

In order to prepare for Confirmation, I have attended classes, studied and learned my

prayers.

For my Confirmation Saint, I selected _____________. I chose this Saint because

_____________________________________________________________________.

I selected ______________ to be my sponsor because

_____________________________________________________________________.

NOTE: this is a sample template; you can include anything you wish in your letter to Father.

Sincerely,

Your Signature (First and Last Name) ______________________________________

Your Name Typed or Printed (First & Last) __________________________________

Sign of the Cross:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen

The Our Father or 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 you. Blessed are you among women, And blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us sinners, Now and at the hour of our Death. 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

Angel Prayer:

Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here. Ever this day, be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen

Grace Before Meals:

Bless us O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive, from your bounty through Christ, Our Lord. Amen

Seven Sacraments: (Signs and celebrations given by Jesus, to give grace). 1. Baptism – You become one of God’s own children. 2. Confirmation – You receive the gift of the Holy Spirit 3. Eucharist – You receive the Body and Blood of Jesus 4. Reconciliation – The priest gives you God’s forgiveness, pardon, and peace. 5. Anointing of the Sick – The priest blesses those who are sick and marks them with holy oil. 6. Marriage – A man and woman promise to love each other, to be together always, and to raise their children in God’s love. 7. Holy Orders – The Church ordains bishops, priests and deacons

Prayers

Ten Commandments:

(Learn in order, as written) 1. I am the Lord, your God. You shall not have strange gods before me. 2. You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain. 3. Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day. 4. Honor your father and your mother. 5. You shall not kill. 6. You shall not commit adultery. 7. You shall not steal. 8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 9. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. 10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s

goods. Act of Contrition:

My 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 Apostle's Creed:

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,

Creator of heaven and earth; and in Je-

sus 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 bur-

ied. He descended into hell; the third day

He rose again from the dead; He as-

cended into heaven, is seated at the

right hand of God the Father Almighty;

from thence He shall come to judge the

living and the dead. I believe in the Holy

Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the

communion of Saints, the forgiveness of

sins, the resurrection of the body, and

life everlasting. Amen. Prayer to Saint Michael: (OPTIONAL)

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, cast into hell, Satan, and all the evil spir-its that roam about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Prayers

The Corporal Works of Mercy Feeding the Poor Giving drink to the thirsty Clothing the naked Sheltering the homeless Visiting the sick Visiting the imprisoned Burying the dead

The Spiritual Works of Mercy

Counseling the doubtful Instructing the ignorant Admonishing sinners Comforting the afflicted Forgiving offenses Bearing wrongs patiently Praying for the living and the

dead The Precepts or Laws of the Church

You shall attend Mass on Sun-days and Holy Days of Obliga-tion, and rest from servile work.

You shall confess your sins at least once a year.

You shall receive the Eucharist at least once during Easter Season.

You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence estab-lished by the Church.

You shall help provide for the needs of the Church.

Gifts of the Holy Spirit Wisdom Knowledge

Understanding Piety Counsel Fear of the Lord Fortitude

Fruits of the Holy Spirit Love Joy Peace Patience Kindness Generosity Faithfulness Gentleness Self-Control Goodness Modesty Chastity

Mysteries of the Rosary

Joyful Mysteries The Annunciation The Visitation The Birth of Our Lord The Presentation The Finding in the Temple

Luminous Mysteries The Baptism of Christ in Jordan The Wedding at Cana The Proclamation of the Kingdom

of God The Transfiguration The Institution of the Eucharist

Sorrowful Mysteries The Agony in the Garden The Scourging at the Pillar The Crowning of Thorns The Carrying of the Cross The Crucifixion

Glorious Mysteries The Resurrection The Ascension The Descent of the Holy Spirit The Assumption The Crowning of Mary, Queen of

Heaven

Sacrament Dress Code

DRESS CODE - 1st COMMUNION 2nd through 6th Grade

Girls · All White Dress & Veil · Shoulders must be covered – no sleeveless, strapless or spaghetti strap dresses – NO EXCEPTIONS—will be given a sweater if inappropriate · NO purses, rosaries, or long jewelry during Mass – NO EXCEPTIONS · Modest neckline · Modest knee length · White closed-toe Shoes, FLATS ONLY, NO SANDLES

Boys · White Shirt, tucked in (Button down collar, or dress shirt) · Black pants and black belt—Black jacket optional · White Tie—either long tie or bow tie · Matching Black dress shoes and socks · Optional—White vest with white shirt, black pants, socks, shoes, belt · Optional—All white suit, shirt, vest and tie

DRESS CODE - 1st COMMUNION, BAPTISM & CONFIRMATION from 7th through 12th grade.

Girls · 7th -12th grade – Wear a “Sunday Dress” & Dress Shoes – NO ATHLETIC SHOES Girls wear FLATS only—NO SANDALS · Shoulders MUST be covered – no sleeveless, strapless or spaghetti strap dresses – NO EXCEPTIONS – Will be given a sweater if inappropriate · Modest neckline – NO LOW NECKLINE - Will be given a sweater if inappropriate · Modest knee length – If you question the length, check with FF Office · Modest fit – Avoid “clingy” tops, dresses and skirts

Boys · 7th-12th grade – Tie (Solid Preferred - Red is most appropriate for Confirmation) · White Dress Shirt, tucked in (Oxford or Plain Collar) · Black Dress Pants and black Belt—Black jacket optional · Matching Black dress shoes and socks · Optional—White vest with white shirt, black pants, socks, shoes, belt · Optional—All white suit, shirt, vest and tie

The Responsibility of Catholic Parents (Excerpt) (For the religious education of their children)

by Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J.

Notice we are speaking of “responsibility”, and we are identify-ing “Catholic parents and the religious education of their chil-dren”. First, by way of a short introduction: to know this is no simple exhortation, it is not just that giving religious instruction to their children is a “good thing”. No! It is a grave—and I mean grave—responsibility. In our country today this responsi-bility is the most serious obligation. What do we mean? Parents have the grave primary duty to educated and train their children in the Catholic faith, in Catho-lic worship and in morality. Why? In order to prepare them for eternal life in heaven. In one declarative sentence—the pur-pose or goal of Catholic education is heaven. And the only rea-son under God that parents even should bring children into the world is to prepare them for heaven. It would be shear mad-ness to bring children into the world for “just” this world.

This page is intentionally blank

IMPORTANT—The parents, students and sponsors MUST attend a pre-Baptism class by November 2017

Saint Michael the Archangel Faith Formation

Lessons & Study Sheets

for the Non-Baptized

3rd through 7th grade 2016-2017

Easter Vigil, April 15, 2017

Your child will receive Baptism, 1

st Communion & Confirmation on Easter Vigil

Important Topics about Baptism (May be asked in Sacrament Readiness Interview)

1. Man and woman are made in the likeness of God.

a. We can ‘know’ – we have a mind

b. We can ‘love’

c. We have ‘free will’ - the power to choose good or evil

2. Adam and Eve chose to disobey God and lost fellowship with God.

3. Original Sin – The sin committed by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden –

this sin is passed down to all generations of people.

4. Everyone is born with Original Sin on their soul – we have no grace in our

soul and we need a Savior.

5. Grace – God’s life in us. We need grace to get to heaven.

6. Baptism – A sacrament given to us by Jesus:

a. To remove Original Sin from our soul.

b. To remove any Actual Sins from our soul.

c. To give us God’s grace and virtues of Faith, Hope and Love.

d. To make us a child of God, a brother or sister to Jesus.

e. To make us a member of the Roman Catholic Church.

f. To make us a member of the Mystical Body of Christ (This means

that we and all other baptized people are specially united with

Jesus).

g. To make us able to get to heaven.

7. Baptism can only be received once.

8. Baptism gives us a permanent mark on our soul – forever marks us for

God’s kingdom.

Do you want to be Baptized?

Symbols of Baptism

We are given symbols we can see and words we can hear so that we know that God is doing a mighty work

in us through our Baptism.

Water – Father will pour water over your head three times, in the

Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Water

is a symbol of cleansing and of new life. You will be cleansed from

your sins and filled with the grace of God.

Water can be dangerous and it can give life. Water can wash away

dirt and make plants grow. Jesus gave us this symbol of Baptism to

show that sin is washed away from our soul and that we are given

new life as a child of God. God nourishes us with this water by giving us His

grace.

Holy Oil (Chrism) – You will be anointed with Holy Oil to show

that we are blessed with the Holy Spirit. Oil has always been used

as a symbol of healing and appointment.

Candle – You will receive a candle that will be lit from the Easter

Candle. The Easter Candle represents Jesus Christ, the Light of the

World. It is a symbol that in Baptism we receive the Light of Christ.

White Robe – You will receive a white robe to symbolize your pure

white soul, freed from Original Sin and all past sins. You are no

longer just a person, but a child of God and a member of His Church,

which is the Mystical Body of Christ!

Important Topics about Eucharist (May be asked in Sacrament Readiness Interview)

1. Eucharist - one of three Sacraments of Initiation 2. Eucharist is a Sign of Christ (Sacrament), and action of Christ (by the power of the Holy Spirit through the actions of the priest), and the Body Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ in the form of bread and wine. 3. The bread and wine become Jesus at the Consecration of the Mass when the priest says, “This is my Body” and “This is my Blood.” 4. Jesus celebrated the First Mass at the Last Supper just before His crucifixion. 5. Jesus also instituted the priesthood at the Last Supper to continue

making His sacrifice on the cross present for all generations. 6. Eucharist is real food for our souls. 7. Eucharist is our food for our journey to heaven. 8. Eucharist – A sacrament given to us by Jesus:

To fill us with His own Divine Life (Grace). To strengthen us against temptation. To help us grow in faith. To help strengthen us to spread and defend the Faith by our

own words and deeds. To strengthen us to be bold witnesses of Jesus Christ. To unite us more firmly with Christ and His Church.

10. Eucharist can be received every day if in the state of Grace.

Do you want to receive the Eucharist?

Eucharistic Symbols

Wheat – Wheat is a grain, a fruit of the earth, and used to make bread. Several grains of wheat are crushed and used to make each loaf of bread to be shared by people. The Church is like a loaf of bread – it is made up of many people (grains) that form one Church (loaf). Bread – Bread is the main part of a meal in most of the world. It is food for the body and it keeps people alive. In Bib-lical times, everyone ate from one plate, so one loaf was

shared by all those sitting at the table. “Breaking bread”, or sharing the bread, was a symbol of family and community. The bread reminds us of what Jesus did on the cross. At the Last Supper, Jesus used this common ritual of “breaking bread” and transformed or changed the bread into His own Body, broken on the cross. When He said, “This is My Body” over the bread, it really became His own Body! He then told the Apostles to do the same thing He did. Pray the same words over the bread, and it would become His own Body. Grapes and Wine – Grapes are fruits of the earth and are used to make wine. Many grapes are needed to make one bottle of wine. Wine is usually used at meals of celebration. Jesus wanted us not only to remember Him, but to also celebrate His life and death. At the Last Supper, when Jesus said, “This is My Blood” over the cup of wine, it really became His Blood! He then told the Apostles to do the same thing He did. Pray the same words over the wine, and it would become His own Blood. Again, the Church is like wine – it is made up of many people (grapes) that form one Church (wine).

Chalice – The cup that is used to hold the Precious Blood and Body of Jesus. Host – The Host is a small round piece of unleavened bread, which af-ter Consecration, becomes the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus. Cross – The cross reminds us of what Jesus did for us on the cross. By His death, He opened the gates of heaven, so that we could live with Him forever.

Altar or Table – The Altar is the place of sacrifice and is also the table that we share the meal.

Candle – The candle is a sign that Jesus is the Light of the world.

Things to Know About Communion

(Taken from "First Eucharist, A Catechesis for Primary Grades" by Benzigar )

Know the life of Jesus 1. Jesus is the Son of God. Mary is Jesus' mother. 2. Jesus is God 3. Jesus taught people how to follow God's rules of love. 4. Jesus gave us the Eucharist at His Last Supper with His friends. 5. He died on the cross to save us from sin and death. 6. He rose from the dead. 7. Jesus is with God His Father. 8. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to always help God's Family.

Understand the difference between Communion (bread and wine-my addition), and ordinary bread and wine. 1. During the Mass, the bread and wine become Jesus at the Consecra-

tion when the priest says the words of Jesus: "This is My body" and "This is My blood."

2. The bread and wine do not seem different in any way after they become Jesus. They still seem to be bread and wine - they look and taste and feel the same, but they are really Jesus.

3. When you receive the Host in Communion, you are really receiving Je-sus. Jesus is fully present in the Host. Jesus is also fully present when you receive the Precious Blood in the cup.

Show a desire to receive Communion 1. Jesus gave us the Eucharist because He loves us. 2. People want to receive Jesus. They love Jesus. They want Jesus to

help them show love. They want to share in the Meal of God's Family.

Important Topics about Confirmation (May be asked in Sacrament Readiness Interview)

1. Confirmation - one of three Sacraments of Initiation

2. Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles.

3. On Pentecost, the Apostles were Confirmed when the Holy Spirit descended upon them like ‘tongues of fire’.

4. They were strengthened and made bold to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

5. Confirmation – A sacrament given to us by Jesus: To strengthen us in the virtues of Faith, Hope and Love To give us the gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel (right

judgment), fortitude (courage), knowledge, piety (reverence), and fear of the Lord (Wonder & Awe). These gifts are supernatural graces given to the soul. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are being “transferred” to you in this ritual.

By the power of the Holy Spirit, to activate the 12 fruits of the Holy Spirit: charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, and chastity.

To help strengthen us to spread and defend the Faith by our own words and deeds.

To strengthen us to be bold witnesses of Jesus Christ, to confess His name boldly and to never be ashamed of the Cross.

To unite us more firmly with Christ and His Church.

6. Confirmation is not necessary for salvation.

7. Confirmation can only be received once.

8. Confirmation gives us a permanent mark on our soul – forever marks us for God’s kingdom.

9. To receive Confirmation – You must be in the state of Grace.

Do you want to be Confirmed?

Signs and Symbols of Confirmation

We are given signs, symbols and words so we can see and hear that God is doing a mighty work in us through

our Confirmation.

Holy Oil (Chrism) – Oil has always been used as a symbol of healing and appointment. You will be anointed with Holy Oil to

show that we are blessed with the Holy Spirit. The chrism you will be anointed with is perfumed – it has a slight fragrance. People wear colognes and perfumes to make an impression on others – a good impression. Confirmation calls you to make an impression on oth-ers. Just as a fragrance spreads, we too are called to

spread the Good News of Jesus and to leave a good impression on others by living the Fruits of the Holy Spirit. When the bishop or the priest anoints you with oil and says the words, “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit,” you are receiving an indelible (permanent) mark – a permanent relationship with the Holy Spirit. Dove - In the Gospel of St. Luke, the Holy Spirit de-scended upon Jesus at His baptism in the form of a dove, revealing itself as a being of purity and love. Fire and Wind - In the Acts of the Apostles, the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples at Pentecost, first as a mighty wind

that blew through the chamber, then as tongues of fire resting above their heads. This fire and wind represent the light, strength, love and life-giving breath of God.

Red – The color associated with fire.

Important Topics about Reconciliation (May be asked in Sacrament Readiness Interview)

1. The Sacrament of Penance is the

work of Jesus Christ. 2. Reconciliation is the sacrament by

which our sins, committed after Baptism, are forgiven.

3. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, rescues His lost sheep when they fall into the danger of sin.

4. Jesus loves to forgive our sins, no matter how often or how badly we fall, if we are sorry and ask Him to in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

5. Jesus heals the wounds to our soul caused by our sins.

6. He heals us through His Precious Blood. ____________________________________________________ Signs and Symbols of Reconciliation

Keys– Remind us of Jesus’ words to Peter, “I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 16:19a).

A Stole—A symbol of the ordained priesthood. The priest, as a representative of Christ, grants sacramental absolution. A stole is a long, narrow strip of cloth worn over the shoulders which hangs in front in equal lengths on the right and left sides. When a priest hears confessions, he wears a purple stole which symbolizes repentance and sorrow.

A Raised Hand—During the Rite of Reconciliation, after the penitent makes the Act of Contrition, the priest offers the Prayer of Absolution, the blessing that removes the person’s sins, and as he does so he extends his right hand over the penitent’s head.

The Cross—The priest makes a Sign of the Cross over the penitent as he recites the fi-nal words of the Prayer of Absolution, “And I absolve you from you sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Jesus “himself bore our sins in his body upon the Cross” (1 Pt 2:24a).

Simple Examination of Conscience

Did I say my prayers every day? Did I use bad language? Did I use God’s name disrespectfully? Did I pay attention at Mass or did I play around? Did I say mean things to my mom or dad? To my teachers? Did I obey my mom and dad? My teachers? My Grandparents? Did I lie to my parents? My teachers? My friends? Did I always say "Thank You" to people and show how grateful I was? Did I have a bad attitude and treat others unkindly? Was I lazy? Did I call others bad names or was I rude to them? Have I fought with my brothers and sisters at home? With classmates? With Teachers? With Parents? Have I blamed other people for things I do? Did I do things to get other people into trouble? Did I hit people when I got mad? Break things? Hurt myself? Have I refused to forgive someone for doing something wrong to me? Have I cheated or been unfair in games? When playing, did I leave someone out for no good reason? Was I lazy about my schoolwork? Did I fail to do my homework? Did I cheat in school? Did I take things that did not belong to me?

How to Go to Confession

Enter the Confessional Choose one:

Kneel in front of the screen or go around and have a seat and speak to Father face-to-face

After the Priest greets you, you begin: + In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen Bless me Father for I have sinned. This is my First Confession (or it has been (tell how long) since my last confession. These are my sins. (Then tell Father your sins.) When you are finished, say: I am sorry for all my sins. Then listen to the Priest: He may talk to you a bit and then tell you to say a prayer or to do something good for someone for your penance. After this, the Priest will give you absolution and ask you to pray: The Act of Contrition When the Priest says: + In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen You say: Amen. Thank you Father.

Finally, you leave the confessional and

complete your penance as soon as possible.

Remember, Reconciliation is not complete until you complete your penance.