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Celebrating
God's Grace:
Penance and Reconciliation
Eucharist
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St. Emily and St. Thomas Becket Parishes
April 15, 2019
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Dear Families,
We just have a few weeks until your child receives the crucified and Risen Lord in Holy Communion. As we celebrate this Holy Week, you might want to spend some time reflecting on this, and reminding your child.
If your child is receiving at St. Emily, please note that
photography will begin in the Hall at 9:30 AM. We will take the group photo at 11:00 AM. (
All children should be in the Hall by 10:30 AM.)
 As we move closer to First Communion, please note that all information,
including banner instructions, etc. is available on the
web page for First Eucharist.
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Exploring Chapter Six in your book.
This book is for second graders.
If your child is not in second grade, they will continue to work with Mrs. Schiemann on Wednesdays.
With this chapter, we finish up the book
you were given to use with your child at home.
Here are some ideas to help make the connections, as you work through the pages with your son or daughter:
- The chapter begins with a discussion of the Paschal Candle and the Light of Christ. Point out the candle to your child at church. (It is in a prominent place, during the Easter season.)
- Speak with your child about receiving the Light of Christ, 'entrusted to you', when they were baptized. Get out the baptism candle and talk about how it was lit from the Paschal candle that year. Light it again and pray, "Help me to share your Light, O Lord."
- Soon your child will receive the Lord in the Eucharist. How can they continue to share Christ's presence when they leave church?
- If you have not finished using the stickers in the back of the book, now is the time to put them all in their places!
- Here is a sorting game your child can play online.
Taking the Body of Christ Into the World
We receive the Eucharist so that it forms us more and more into the Body of Christ. That presence of Christ is needed in the world and our job is to bring it there. As St. Teresa of Avila reminded us,
Christ has no body now on earth but yours; no hands but yours; no feet but yours. Yours are the eyes through which the compassion of Christ must look out on the world. Yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good. Yours are the hands with which He is to bless His people.
Help your child to think of ways that he or she can be that presence of Christ. Of course, Jesus was very clear that this is exactly what he is expecting of us! This video illustrating Matthew 25 is another way to help your child brainstorm.
Receiving the Eucharist - How to - and why!
On our retreat on Saturday, we practiced the way to receive Communion. You might enjoy seeing this video with your child. (It has its funny moments!) Then, practice at home. Kids enjoy the practice, and the excitement that leads to the big day.
It is also a way to reinforce for your child that the point of the day isn't the clothes, although they will look special, or the party, even though that will be fun, or the presents, although everyone likes presents.
The point, obviously, is to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord - more special, more important, more exciting, than anything else could be.
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Prayer to say after receiving Communion
It is a good time for your child to remember what to do after receiving communion. If he or she has not picked a prayer to say, in the next few weeks, there is still 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.
Please choose one with your child and say it each night in the days leading up to communion. 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.
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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.
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Have You Paid the First Communion Fee?
Please pay as soon as you can
- $40 for St. Emily School students. This includes the photo. The school tuition covers some of the materials cost.
- $50 for St. Thomas Becket parishioners. This does not include the photo.
- $60 for St. Emily Religious Education students. This includes the photo and all materials not covered by the tuition.
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St. Emily Parish
Catherine Crino, DRE
847-299-5865
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St. Thomas Becket Parish
Renata Sosin, CRE
847-296-9051
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