We are really looking forward to the First Holy Communion Retreat tomorrow, Saturday, May 6, 2023! Remember, attending this retreat is a requirement of the Bishop of the Diocese of Palm Beach and attendance will be taken.

Please arrive sometime between 8:20-8:25am (no earlier than 8:15, as we will not be here!). Go into the church and look for your catechist. Children should wear comfortable clothing. We will spend some time outside, but we will not be painting or another other crafting that might damage clothing.

Parents are invited to stay for Mass. In fact, parents are invited to stay the entire retreat! If you choose not to stay, please return no later than 11am so you can participate in rehearsal and see where your child will be sitting.

After the 11am rehearsal, kids and their catechists will be invited to eat lunch together and then gift bags will be given out. Our goal is to finish the retreat by noon, but we will definitely be finished no later than 12:15.

Gift bags:

1. Girls will wear the veil they are given by the parish. Crafty moms, grandmas, older sisters, or other friends are allowed to jazz it up with flowers, sequins, pearls, etc. if that's what you want to do. I do not have a replacement veil if it doesn't turn out well....!
2. Boys will wear the tie that they are given by the parish. They can make it look snazzier by adding the tie tack that is also in their gift bag.
3. Children will not bring the candle with them to the Communion Mass. The candle is for use at your home only.
4. The candle and everything else in the gift bag has not been blessed.

There are multiple "photo opp" stations set up today -- be sure to take your child's photo with his/her friends!

Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Tuesday, May 9
     Ms. Veronica's class: arrive by 5:30pm
     Dr. Julio & Ms. Myrta's class: arrive by 5:45pm
Parents (and other family members) STAY for this event.
All persons in the church must use appropriate behavior:

• no gum, no food, no drinks
• no talking, no whispering
• no excessive moving around -- stay in your pew and pray for your child

Dress Code is "Business Casual," per an 8-year-old!

• Boys: clean long pants with a nice shirt (polo, oxford/button down), nice socks and nice shoes
• Girls: nice dress or clean long pants or skirt with a nice top

Leave after child prays penance.

• Note: There will be one "photo opp" station to take a picture with your catechist!
• Don't leave without your commemorative certificate!

Sacrament of Holy Communion:
Sunday, May 14, from 11:30am to 1:15pm

• First Communicants arrive in the Parish Hall no later than 11:30am. Drop your child off and go into the church and pray.
• First Communicants are not allowed to carry anything with them during the First Communion Mass. 
• Our photographer will take a whole group photo and a photo of your child with our priests after Mass. Please wait your turn and do not crowd the photographer -- remember, we are still in church!
• Don't forget to take your commemorative craft and certificate!
• Please view this PowerPoint -- it's important: 

Good afternoon, Confirmation Families! Our photos have been posted to a special "GROUP" on Facebook. If you do not have a Facebook account, you will need to contact me and then wait until June for me to help you. (Sorry, but Communion's keeping me busy to mid-May then I am going to visit my parents out of state.)

Here's what you need to know:
1-Once you are in the group, you will remain there until Confirmation next year, at which time I will remove you from the group.
2-The Group contains albums labeled with your last name and "Bishop" and "Whole Class." 
3-Download the photos to your device, then upload them wherever you'd like.
4-It might be difficult to email them to people. This is where I got into trouble, and why I had to open the Facebook Group. They are "too big."

You will be asked three questions in order to enter this private, by invitation only, group. Follow the directions in my text to enter the group. Enjoy!