Dear First Holy Communion Families,

Happy New Year! I hope that 2021 is a safe and meaningful year for all of you, easier than 2020 was. Here in Religious Education, we are trying to come up with ways to make this sacramental prep year easier for you.

That being said, I am not yet ready to hold one of the parent meetings required by the Diocese tonight. The parent meeting scheduled for tonight is postponed. I will be in touch soon with details re: fulfilling this requirement soon.

In the meantime, I can announce shopping lists and important dates.

REQUIREMENTS
First Communion Candidates are required to "be fed."

1. Ideally, candidates are going to in-person Mass. The current schedule at Holy Family is 
   1. Saturdays 8:30am, 4:00pm, 6:00pm (Spanish)
   2. Sundays 8:00am, 10:00am, 12:00pm
   3. weekdays 8:00am
   4. Be sure to have the deacon or priest sign your Mass Signature Card. Pick a new one up in the office.
2. Students may also watch Mass online.
   1. Be sure to write "online" on your Mass Signature Card.
3. For some families and children, our Children's Liturgy of the Word will be more effective than watching an online Mass. 
   1. Be sure to write the Passcode  on the Mass Signature Card after completing the readings and prayers. The Passcode is provided on the Liturgy page.
   2. Access here (content changes weekly/link never expires): http://www.holyfamilyccpsl.com/liturgy.html

     4. Remaining class dates: While student attendance is at parents' discretion and no one will be penalized for *not coming to class, we strongly encourage and want your children to come to every remaining class period-- unless the child or an immediate family member is sick. Your children are about to receive a sacrament, so the refresher and learning opportunities are extremely important.
               1. Religious Education has purchased an air purifier for every classroom and we use disinfectant via a fogger before each class and a disinfectant wipe of tables, chairs, doors and other surfaces after each class.
               2. Children do not share supplies.
               3. For more information, please review the video I made in August here: www.holyfamilyccpsl.com/religious-education.html
        ~January 26 or 27*
        ~February 9: ALL Communion candidates attend on Tuesday
        ~February 23 or 24
        ~March 9: ALL Communion candidates attend on Tuesday
        ~March 23 or 24
        ~April 13: ALL Communion candidates attend on Tuesday
        ~May 4 or 5
        ~May 25 or 26
*If you can't remember if you are a Tuesday or Wednesday family, call us at 772-337-4313.

**Families whose candidates were supposed to receive in May 2020 and didn't are supposed to attend all of these classes.

SCHEDULE
*If you feel your child should not receive Holy Communion in May due to the pandemic or due to unpreparedness or any other reason, please contact me at 772-337-4313 so that we can make other arrangements.
**Families whose candidates were supposed to receive in May 2020 and didn't, must attend all of the following events.

Friday, April 23, 2021, 5:15pm - ? is rehearsal in the main church.

1. Parents must stay for this. You will receive important handouts and see where your child will sit and in which order s/he will receive First Communion.
2. This is mandatory because this year it will be very different. 
3. Everyone needs to bring and wear a mask.

Saturday, April 24, 2021, 9am - 11am is retreat in the Parish Hall.

1. This is mandatory for children, mandatory for parents who are taking the in-person parent class,  and optional for parents who are taking the online parent class.
2. Your child will make and receive keepsakes and review the protocol for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
3. You need to bring and wear a mask.
4. Parents will arrive in time for a very short presentation ceremony at the end of the retreat. You will actually leave the retreat closer to 11:30am.
5. Between now and April 24, please actively review the Act of Contrition, Act of Hope, and Act of Love prayers. 
6. Between now and April 24, please actively review how to receive Holy Communion in the hand.

Friday, April 30, 2021, 5:15pm - ? is Sacrament of First Reconciliation in the main church.

1. Parents must stay.
2. Please bring and wear a mask.
3. I will be in touch in March with a staggered arrival schedule.

Sunday, May 2, 2021, 3:00pm is Sacrament of First Holy Communion in the main church.

1. This is a private Mass, just for First Communicants and their families.
2. Please wear masks.
3. Each Communicant is permitted to invite 10 guests; this is limited due to social distancing. Parents and siblings are counted among the 10 guests.
4. Please let me know if you want to opt out of receiving Holy Communion in May due to the pandemic or due to unpreparedness or any other reason. Call me at 772-337-4313 so that we can make other arrangements.

SHOPPING LIST
The proper dress code for boys:

1. Suit: navy blue or black
2. Shirt: white button down
3. Tie: white necktie (do not purchase---this is a gift from the parish)
4. Socks: navy blue or black, to match suit pants
5. Shoes: black dress shoes, either lace-up or slip-on (no loafers/boaters, no sneakers/tennis shoes (even if they are black), no flip-flops/slides, no sandals, etc.)

The proper dress code for girls:

1. Dress: the white Communion dress must have sleeves. If you absolutely must buy a sleeveless dress, then you must also buy a white cover up, either a jacket or shrug, that must be worn while in the church. A shawl is not a good idea at this age because it will most likely slip off and bare the shoulders in church.
2. Veil: white Communion veil (do not purchase---this is a gift from the parish)
3. Socks: white socks or white tights/stockings
4. Shoes: White dress shoes, which should be flat or 1” heel maximum. For safety purposes, backless shoes and sandals are not permitted. Closed toe dress shoes (pumps) are the safest as the First Communicants will be walking around on the slick marble sanctuary floor.

**Shop for outfit:

1. JCPenney
2. Dillard's
3. Burlington
4. Once Upon a Child website and Facebook page
5. David's Bridal - You must also purchase a shrug, jacket, or sweater if you purchase any of these sleeveless dresses!
6. Alterations by Leslie's Facebook page

**Shop for gifts
LOCAL
St. Martin de Porres
St. Lucie
Holy Land Art Company
ONLINE
Autom: Reconciliation and Communion
The Catholic Company: Reconciliation and Communion
Catholic Gifts and More: Reconciliation and Communion
Sacred Heart Toys: Reconciliation and Communion


If you have ANY questions or concerns, please reach out to me! I am here to support you. Thank you for being the awesome parents that you are!!!

Blessings, 
Mary Acevedo, Director of Religious Education

Hello Parents,

Just a friendly reminder that this coming Wednesday, September 30, children are invited back into the classroom! We will meet at 5:10 outside in the breezeway, between the main church and the Parish Hall. Children will assemble there with their catechists; temperatures will be taken, and the CDC questions about symptoms will be asked. Please stay with your child at this time. Everyone needs to wear a mask.

Children should not bring anything to class except a mask. Please leave the workbook and all other materials at home.

Parents will bring in the yellow 6” X 9” envelope containing all of their children’s Unit Reviews that are due on September 30. Unit Review pages are highlighted in yellow on the Assignment Schedule.
At 5:15, catechists will escort their disciples into the Parish Hall to their assigned classroom. Based on our current enrollment, no classroom will meet capacity.

Parents will stay with Mary for about 15 minutes for a brief update in procedures, which include no accessibility to drinking fountains and limited access to restrooms. Please make sure your child is hydrated before coming to class because no water fountain breaks will be given. Children will only be given a break to go to the restroom if it appears to be an emergency, so please make sure they use the bathroom at home before leaving the house. Children are with us for 1.5 hours; if your child must use the restroom or have a drink within that time period because of a medical or other issue, please let Mary know.

Please remember that bringing your child to the classes this year is at your discretion. Promotion to the next level is based on submission of the Unit Reviews, so please be sure to bring them with you if something is due on September 30. If you choose not come to the face-to-face meeting on September 30, please bring or mail the yellow envelope in to our office now.

Parents who will bring their children to the face-to-face meeting must sign the Waiver that is attached to our webpage. If there is no mask and/or no waiver, the child will not be able to enter the Parish Hall and classrooms. ( http://www.holyfamilyccpsl.com/religious-education.html ) Please just continue to work from home and submit the Unit Reviews.

Thank you for all of the support you are providing your child this year and for all of the cooperation you are giving to the Religious Education Program. We are praying that the involvement you have with your children in this way brings your family closer together and energizes your own faith practices. We can’t wait to see you and your kids this week; the Parish Hall is a lonely, quiet place without them!

I will be off on Friday and Monday and will not be in again until Tuesday afternoon. Kelly will be here on Monday afternoon if you need help.
​
Mary Acevedo