Parent Information Evening

Welcoming Prayer

O Lord,

Give us the wisdom and the

courage to help our children as you would,
to develop in them a Christ-like love for all people,
to nurture in them a desire to give
and not simply to take,
to teach them to be doers of Your Holy Word.

Guide us in our responsibilities and duties as parents;

May we be in the expression of
Your love to our children.

As we begin to prepare our children to receive the

Most Blessed Sacrament, give us the wisdom to guide
them, the patience to teach them,
and the vigilance to accustom them to
choose good through our example.

We ask this through the intercession of

Mary, St. Joseph,
and the angels and saints.

Amen
Overview of the Unit of Work – ‘Coming to Your Table’
As your child prepares for their First Holy Communion, they will complete a RE unit of work (Coming to Your Table) to help them prepare. Students
will progress through the unit by participating through three ‘Steps of the Process’.
PART A = Wondering at God who created people’s bodes different– how the topic relates to human development.
PART B = The Promise of Christian Salvation – how the topic relates to Jesus Christ.
PART C = Christian Response – how the topic relates to God and living a Christian life.

Part A Part B Part C

• Students study Children’s literature
rich in the theme of differences
between people.
• Students compare similarities and
differences between themselves
and other peers.
• Students role play scenarios of
what the world would look like if
everyone was the same.
• Students participate in a range of
reflection activities to give thanks
to their individual traits and build
resilience.
• Students research and study Gospel stories in
which Jesus showed loved to others regardless of
physical differences.
• Students use Gospel stories in a range of verbal
and written reflection tasks, and also
incorporated the stories into drama activities.
• Students identify the values that Jesus showed in
these stories and develop an understanding of
how these teachings could be incorporated into
these own lives to live as better Christians.
• Students reflect on how the world would be a
different place if people drew closer to Jesus by
receiving him in Holy Communion – helping
students to develop an understanding of what it
means to them to be preparing for their First
Holy Communion.
• Students study and interpreted Gospel stories of the
Last Supper and how it formed the basis of the
Eucharist celebration that we participate in today.
• Students develop an understanding of the symbolism of
what the bread and wine represent in the sacrament
and that through receiving the bread and wine we are
empowered to go out and do God’s work.
• Students develop an understanding of the meaning of
each section of the mass and how to activity
participate in the mass to be enriched by the
proceedings.
• Students study prophets of past and present who live
Christian lives and love everyone as ‘another self’
(Mother Theresa, Ghandi).
• Students reflect on the unit and identify the
responsibility that they take on in celebrating the
Eucharist and receiving the bread and wine – body
and blood of Jesus.

Ideas to help your child prepare for their First

Holy Communion
• Share how God loves each of us, even though we are different body shapes and sizes.
• Discuss with your child the physical similarities and differences which make them special
within their family.
• Wonder with them about God who created the ability for people to grow and change.
• Participate in the celebrating of the Eucharist (Mass), practice responses, gestures and
prayers said at Mass. You are the most influential person in your child’s life, and the
reverence you model for the Eucharist is the reverence they will learn to imitate.
• Talk with them about what they might give thanks for prior to each celebration of the
Eucharist.
• Discuss what they are being taught in Religious Education.
Example of Name Banner to be prepared by
• Pray with them for the ability to show love for all regardless of differences.
students and parents together. To be handed
into class by FRIDAY 16TH AUGUST.
Dressing for First Holy Communion
Girls: Boys:
• Girls are asked to wear modest dresses. • Boys are asked to wear either a suit or dress pants with a white
• Traditional white dresses are the norm, but a nice Easter dress is button shirt.
fine as well. • Boys are expected to wear ties.
• Veil and gloves are optional. • Dress shoes must be worn (no sports shoes).
o If gloves are worn, they must be easy to remove as the
Eucharist is to be received in bare hands.

First Holy Communion Mass

• First Holy Communion will occur at 6pm on FRIDAY 23RD AUGUST at the school Parish.
• Children celebrating their First Holy Communion will have reserved seating in the first two pews.
• Group pictures may be taken after the Mass. Please refrain from taking pictures during Mass. This is a sacred time and the Parish will have a
professional photographer on the night.
• A reception will immediately follow Mass in the school hall.