Waiting as a family for First Communion
Act of Spiritual Communion
St. Emily and St. Thomas Becket Parishes
May 18,2020
Dear Families,

cardinalI wanted to share with you this video from Cardinal Cupich to all our First Communicants.

We are all waiting for the time to celebrate the Eucharist with our young people. As we wait, you might want to pray with your child this Act of Spiritual Communion by St. Alphonsus.  A friend has composed a musical setting of this prayer, which might also be of interest to you.

You may have heard in the last few days that the Archdiocese is working slowly to begin to reopen our churches for funerals, baptisms and weddings, as well as for private prayer. This reopening - Phase 1 -  will take a great deal of work in order to keep everyone safe.  As we move to Phase 2, we hope to begin to celebrate mass on Sundays and weekdays. (It will still be restricted to smaller groups according to the CDC directives.) There is no target date given for this next Phase, but will we certainly keep you apprised of the situation.

As we wait, I would like to underscore that you are more important that ever is preparing your child for the sacraments.
  • You are the one home with them.  As you help them keep up with their other lessons, you have an important part to play in helping them finish the 'classroom' portion of the First Communion program;
  • You can review the material in the First Communion book with your child.  You might want to view the videos and see the lessons that we supplied.  You can find all the previous newletters linked here.
  • You are the one who can help your child to pray and to follow the mass online. (Make sure you check out Magnifikid; the digital edition is online for free right now);
  • Your example of patient waiting is the key in helping your child both weather the disappointment of postponing the celebration and keeping alive the joy and anticipation of receiving the sacraments.
postcommunionPrayer to say after receiving Communion

In this time of waiting, it makes sense to continue to work on a prayer to say after receiving Communion.  It reinforces that the day will come - although we don't know quite when.  These prayers are not that specific, and can be prayed at any time.

Of course, we can pray however we want after communion, but I have found that for children, having something definite 'in reserve' is a comforting thing for them.  

On page four of Prayers, Practices.... (a handbook for parents and families in our program) there is a choice of three prayers. All of these are honored in our tradition. 

Please choose one with your child and say it each night. You can remind your child that they are preparing for something wonderful and that this is a way to both anticipate that event and thank God for it.  

rosary
Rosary
Makes a Wonderful First Communion Gift


We have commissioned rosaries for the parish of St. Emily.  Available with either blue or brown beads, these were crafted in Italy.  The crucifix is modeled on the one that hangs in the church and St. Emily is on the center medal.

This would make a great First Communion gift for any communicant.

These are available at the St. Emily parish office for $25.00 each.


missal missal2Buying a Missal for Your Child

At our meeting, I suggested that you might want to buy a missal for your child now.  It will help him or her to learn the mass prayers as s/he follows along. 

to buy the missal.

Bringing their 'special book' to church is an encouragement and great assist for children in learning the prayers of the mass and how to follow along.

Quick Links
St. Emily Parish
Catherine Crino, DRE
847-299-5865
St. Thomas Becket Parish
Renata Sosin, CRE
847-296-9051
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