Catechists
 

Guidelines for First Holy Communion

General Principles

The programme for First Holy Communion is important for the child, the family, the parish and the church; for the child, the experience of greater involvement in the worshiping community; for the parent, a possible means of re-connecting with the worshiping community, if they have been absent; for the parish and church at large, a sign of growth and hope for the future.

It is important that children and families experience being part of the community of faith. It is as a community that we share our understanding of God's love for us.

The Holy Communion programme should give encouragement and support to the parents. It should be adapted to meet the needs of the families, recognising where they are at in the faith and in their practical relationship to the Church.

The preparation for Holy Communion must be seen in the overall context of the journey in faith from Baptism, through schooling and in the light of parental influence and example.

There must be a genuine sharing of the understanding and knowledge of the faith between the child, parent, catechist, priest and teachers.

Some special provision will be needed for children with learning difficulties and those who do not attend a catholic school.

The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist

Introduction

Luke 22:19
'Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me."

When Christians assemble to celebrate the Holy Eucharist they are carrying out the instructions of the Lord. In the assembled community the Lord is really present as he is really present in the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation. We become one with Christ and with the whole worshiping community in sharing the Bread of Life. In union with Christ we offer ourselves, give praise and thanks to God our Father and in return we receive his love and forgiveness. Thus, our worship which is centred in the Holy Eucharist is, as the Vatican Council says 'the source and summit' of our lives.

The Child

Mark 10
'People were bringing little children to him, and Jesus laid his hands on them and gave them his blessing.'

Ideally the preparation should take place within the parish community with parents and catechists. The school can supplement the programme by its regular religious instructions given to the children in the course of the school day.

In the light of the dire condition of religious education in today's society, age will not determine the readiness of the child for Holy Communion, but in the present climate the older the child the better. Considering the average child today, then one would propose a time nearer nine than seven. The responsibility for deciding whether the child is ready for Holy Communion should rest with the whole team that is running the programme.

Every effort should be made to integrate children who are perceived to have special needs, together with their families, into the process of preparation within the parish. Finding ways of accomplishing this often requires extra thought and planning.

Parents & Family

The parents should be the first teachers of their children 'in the ways of the faith', and should have the prime responsibility in preparing their children.

While the parents should and will indicate their wish for their child 'to make' their First Holy Communion, the child too must evidence some personal desire to receive Holy Communion.

The sad reality exists today that there is the need to emphasise that the children ought to be present with the worshiping parish community on Sundays. Only in this way can they begin to understand and actively take part in the Holy Eucharist.

The period of preparation for Holy Communion is a significant time in the development of the faith of the child, which began at its Baptism. It is an opportunity for the parents to grow in their own faith and gain a better understanding of the Holy Eucharist.

The parents need to be affirmed and encouraged to bring up their children in the catholic faith. This will be shown in the way they love and care for their children but also by the positive way they pass on the catholic faith in their daily lives.

The support and example of the parents is very important at this time. In the case of a total lack of co-operation by the parents, then the Holy Communion should be deferred without hesitation. However, some children make heroic efforts without parental support and should be welcomed by the whole team.

School

The responsibility for the support of Christian families lies with the parish community, but equally the school has a significant role. The catholic school provides a continuing process of religious education through the various national religious schemes. The good teacher builds on previous learning and helps the pupil to make the connections to achieve a broad and general knowledge and understanding of the Christian faith.

The rolling programme of religious education in catholic schools is at present covered by 'Here I am' in the primary schools and 'Icons' for the secondary. All involved in catholic religious education should be familiar with these programmes. The school is one of the primary resources for the parish. It can provide communication links between school, families and the parish. This is important because the children belong to each of these groups.

Liturgy & Prayer

During the period of preparation for First Holy Communion there should be opportunities for prayer and celebration of the liturgy, especially encouraging direct involvement in some Sunday Masses.

It is strongly recommended that Holy Communion be received 'under both kinds' at the First Communion Mass, and that Mass itself be celebrated with a good section of the parish community.

The Sacrament of Forgiveness

All human beings experience conflict with others and within themselves, because no one is perfect. The human condition as a creature of God is one of imperfection. In the Christian tradition this state of disharmony, of conflict, of missing the mark is the biblical condition of sin.

The heart of the Christian message is that God is a God of love and forgiveness. No matter how we conduct ourselves towards God and our neighbour, God's unfailing love and forgiveness is freely given. Through the Sacrament of Forgiveness, the Church enables us to restore our harmony with God and our neighbour.

The Penitential Service with Individual confession of sin emphasises the link between God and our neighbour in our day to day living. The penance given us by the priest prompts us to amend our ways and renew our Christian life. The physical environment should create a peaceful atmosphere in which the sacrament can be celebrated.

It is important to note that the 'Rite of Penance' speaks of penance and forgiveness in terms of adult experience and nothing applies directly to children. In the preparation of children for this sacrament an awareness of sin, forgiveness and the mercy of God needs to be developed in them according to their age and experience.

For children to understand something of the love of God they should reflect on their lives together, in a prayerful and quiet atmosphere.

The most important aspect of the sacrament is the experience of being forgiven.

The diocese recommends communal celebration of the sacrament as set out in Rite Two.

The Cathecists

There is a small group of parishioners who in recent years have volunteered to help to prepare the primary school age children for their First Holy Communion. We call them 'Catechists' - those who 'instruct' others in the Christian faith.

The group at St. Cuthbert's parish instruct the children in separate groups of five or seven, eight at the most, together with atleast one grown up member of the families. They meet once a week in the parish house. It is a worthwhile contribution to the faith of the parish now and in the future.

We welcome any adult who may feel they would like to help in this 'privileged' way, namely handing on the Christian faith, especially the Holy Eucharist to the younger generation.

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