Homework Assignments Parents are expected to review each lesson with the student at home and supervise the completion of homework assigned.
Schedule Dates Families are expected to make the dates listed on this program a priority in their schedules. Please do not send your child alone to any of the special events. If it is impossible for a parent to attend, please be sure that an adult relative accompanies your child.
Parent Meetings At least one parent is expected to attend the parent meetings scheduled with Sr. Betty Matuszek. These are adult meetings. Please make baby-sitting arrangements for other children in your family. The children in the First Eucharist Program will meet with their catechists during the same time period.
First Eucharist Banners Following the Celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, your family will be given materials that will assist you in preparing a Eucharist Banner. This banner will be used to designate your family pew during the First Eucharist Celebration Mass.
Figures of Children Patterns will be issued for construction of a fabric figure that will represent your child. The figure will be used in a Thanksgiving Display to celebrate the gift of each child to our parish community. The figures will again be used as part of an altar display on the day of First Eucharist to symbolize the gift of self to God.
Children's Photographs Staff members Christopher & Susan Gosselin have graciously agreed to photograph each of the students in their classrooms during the month of October. You will be given notification of the dates. These photos will be used during the Celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and also during the First Eucharist Ceremony. They will be given to you.
First Eucharist Clothing We choose not to impose a dress code upon our families. The choice of clothing is a personal matter governed by practicality, budgets and individual preference. We do ask that your choices be made with respect to the spiritual nature and importance of this occasion. Out of necessity, we do restrict the wearing of gloves and the carrying of accessories such as pocketbooks, prayer books or rosaries, Veils are not encouraged; however, if that is your family's tradition, it will certainly be respected.
Photographs During First Eucharist Ceremony The Celebration of First Eucharist is a spiritual occasion not set apart from the Sacred Liturgy of the Mass. Respect for the community gathered in worship and the easily distractible nature of children dictate that cameras of any type not be used during the Mass, Photographs may be taken from the pew you occupy only when the children are processing in the aisle, Photographers who enter the aisles or side vestibules will be asked to return to their pews by our staff. PLEASE ADVISE YOUR GUESTS OF THIS POLICY! Following this ceremony, children may be returned to the church for photographs.
First Eucharist Seating Each family will be designated one pew within the church for seating of family and friends during the Mass. Each pew can accommodate between 8 and 10 adults. Pews will be assigned in the order in which your family registered in the program. Exception to that rule will be made for handicapped students. Children will be seated as a class for part of the ceremony and will return to their family pews during the "Sign of Peace" so that parents can present the child to the Pastor for reception of Holy Communion. Parents will not be offered Communion at that time. They will be welcome to receive with the rest of the congregation after all the children of the First Eucharist Class have celebrated the sacrament. Only two adults may accompany the child to the altar.
Guests Please realize that Saint Mary's is a rather small church. Usually there are fewer than 10 pews left free for additional guests. Rather than have your guests stand in the aisles during the entire ceremony, it would be wise to limit your invitations to the church to those who are close to your child. Since the First Eucharist children assemble in various areas of the church it is necessary that people who are standing in side aisles and rear vestibules be asked to leave the area while children are using them. Only choir members are allowed into the choir loft.
2005/2006 First Eucharist Program Schedule
Sunday Morning - 8:45 - 9:45 AM
Sunday, September 25 @ 8;45AM- Mass & Enrollment Ceremony
Parents & children required to attend. Friends & other family members welcome. This Mass will satisfy the weekend obligation for worship.
- Wednesday, November 10, @ 6:30pm
- Parents' Meeting With Sister Betty Matuszek,SSJ
- Children's Meeting With Catechists
Sunday, November 14, 2005
Figures Of Children Due For Bulletin Board Display
Sunday, December 11, 2005 @ 1:00pm- Celebration of The Sacrament of Reconciliation
Parents and children required to attend. Mass will not be a part of this celebration.
Eucharist Banner material will be distributed.
Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2006 @ 6:30PM
Parents' Meeting With Sister Betty Matuszek- Children's Meeting With Catechists
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Eucharist Banners Due
Wednesday, April 6 @ 6:30 PM- Rehearsal
At least one parent and child are required to attend.
Saturday, April 2, 2005 @ 11:00AM- Celebration Of The Sacrament Of First Eucharist
During the course of the Mass, parents will present children to the Pastor for reception of Holy Communion for the first time. Only two adults may accompany the child.
Classroom Schedule Sunday Morning 8:45-9:45 AM
It is our hope that our students who attend parochial schools will choose to attend the regular Sunday classroom sessions. They will be a welcome part of our classroom community. It is most important that they attend the classroom sessions that occur on the same days as the special events listed above as it is likely the children will be taken to the church to go over the up-coming ceremony- .
SEPTEMBER: 11 18 25- OCTOBER: 2,16, 23, 30
- NOVEMBER: 6, 13, 20
- DECEMBER: 4, 11, 18,
JANUARY: 15, 22, 29- FEBRUARY: 5, 12, 26
- MARCH: 5, 12, 19, 26
- APRIL: 2, 9
It is expected that every child will attend Mass on a regular basis with their family.
Back to the Director of Religious Ed.
St Mary's Parish Community
840 Page Blvd. Springfield, MA 01104 413-739-0456
E-Mail: stmary@the-spa.com
Copyright @ 2005 St Mary's Parish Community.
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Last modified January, 2005