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

Dear First Communicants, Parents, and Friends,

This is an exciting and busy week for you -- your first one back to school! We hope you had a great day and have all kinds of good and interesting things to share with your family tonight. And for those of you studying school subjects at home, I hope it was happy, comfy, and productive, too!

We are also so proud of all of you. This year, 2020, has been so different from any other year with so many challenges, but you are making it your own! Even here at Holy Family, with your sacramental preparation classes, you have had to wait a really long time to receive your First Reconciliation and your First Holy Communion. But the wait is over -- we're going to see you this week, and we are so excited to finally celebrate your growth. Please take out your calendars and note these dates and times:

Friday, August 28, 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 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, August 29, 9am - 11am is retreat in the Parish Hall.

1. This is mandatory for children and optional for parents.
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 September 4, please actively review the Act of Contrition prayer.
6. Between now and September 6, please actively review how to receive Holy Communion in the hand.

Friday, September 4, 5:15pm - ? is Sacrament of First Reconciliation in the main church.

1. Parents must stay.
2. Please bring and wear a mask.

Sunday, September 6, 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. The First Communicant is allowed to bring 10 guests. We suggest parents, grandparents, godparents, and siblings.
3. There are 6 Communicants, and they are all boys! If everyone brings 10 guests, we expect church capacity to reach 75 persons.
4. Please wear masks.

If you or a family member is sick and showing symptoms of COVID-19 infection, please call the office to cancel your participation: 1-772-337-4313

I'm excited to see you again!
Mrs. Mary Acevedo, M.Ed.
Director of Religious Education

PS: A description of the 2020-2021 program year is on the Religious Education webpage.

Also, please regularly read the HOME page on Holy Family's website for updates on Holy Family's weekday and Sunday Mass schedule and confession schedule. Please also understand that the Bishop's decision to excuse Mass attendance still continues, so no one is obligated to go to Mass right now.

Remember you can always watch Mass, give your donations, and check the bulletin on our LIVE page.

Holy Family is also active on Facebook (where our handle is @HolyFamilyCCPSLFL and our page is available to all) and myParish app (where our nickname is "Holy Family PSL").

​Finally, our Catholic preschool is hiring employees, recruiting volunteers, and enrolling students, ages 3, 4, and 5.

**Distribute the invitation to 4 families you recognize but do not know really well in our parish by March 31.
--------Anyone who missed the meeting will have to pick up their invitations. Mary and Kelly are in the office Mon, Thurs, Fri 8:30-4:30 (closed for lunch, please call before coming in 337-4313). If you need to pick them up during class time, you will need to come in BEFORE 5:00PM OR AFTER 6:40PM on class days. You will be asked to wait until all students and parents are out of the building after class.

**Make note of dates and times of upcoming events. Attendance at all of these events is required and mandatory.

• Invitations to parishioners due out by March 31.
• Rehearsal #1 is Friday, April 24, in the church. We begin at 5:15. Parents or another guardian must stay for rehearsal.
• Retreat is Saturday, April 25, in the Parish Hall. Drop your child off at 8:45. Parent must return and join the group at 11:40; dismissal no later than 12:30.
• Rehearsal #2 is Friday, May 1, in the church. We begin at 5:15. Parents or another guardian must stay for rehearsal.
• First Reconciliation is Saturday, May 2, in the church. Staggered arrival times:
  • Ms. Veronica and Ms. Marie's Tuesday night CP3 class will arrive in the church at 12:50, dismissed from the Parish Hall by 2:00.
  • Mr. Julio and Ms. Myrta's Wednesday night CP3 class will arrive in the church at 1:20, dismissed from the Parish Hall by 2:30.
  • Mr. Mark McInerney's Tuesday night PO2 class and Ms. Marielly's Wednesday night PO2 class will arrive in the church at 1:50, dismissed from the Parish Hall by 3:00.
• First Holy Communion is Sunday, May 3. Drop your child off in the Parish Hall at 11:30 promptly. Pick up your child in the Parish Hall at the reception; free to leave by 1:30. Mary recommends you schedule your parties at home to start after 2:30PM. 

No absences from the above mandatory events are allowed. If your child is absent, your child will not receive the sacraments with the group; in that case, we will be in contact with you and provide guidance individually.

SHARE THIS IMPORTANT INFORMATION WITH YOUR GUESTS:

1. ABSOLUTELY NO ROAMING DURING THE COMMUNION MASS. If you leave your seat to take photos during Mass, the ushers will escort you to the back of the church and you will need to stay there until after you receive Communion.
2. ABSOLUTELY NO PHOTOGRAPHY OR VIDEO-TAKING DURING THE LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST. This is crass and inappropriate.
3. WE HAVE HIRED A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER WHO WILL GET THE PHOTOS YOU WANT BUT CANNOT GET. Please pray for your child during Mass and enjoy the moment instead of taking photos.

**Shop for outfit: see list here

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

-------Anyone who missed the meeting will need to also pick up "the blue sheet." Be sure to ask for it during office hours listed above.

**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

AFTER THE COMMUNION CEREMONY
**Encourage your child to wear his or her Communion dress or suit to weekend Mass for as long as he or she wants to! The Parish community loves to see this, and parishioners will often make a positive comment, give encouragement and congratulations, and pray for your child and you. Wearing the communion outfit through May is a beautiful gift for everyone.

**The day after receiving First Holy Communion, your child is eligible to be an Altar Server. Please talk to your child about this ministry, and if he or she is interested in joining, contact Mary. The option to join is always open, even if your child does not want to join right away. 

**If you don't want to keep your child's outfit as a keepsake, please consider donating it to our Program. We have some families in need who will benefit from your gift. If you use a suit or dress from our collection, there is no need to return it if you want to keep it as a keepsake. If you choose to donate or return, please clean the garments; we have no washing machine on premises to do that. Thank you!

**Distribute the invitation to 2 families you recognize but do not know really well in our parish by March 31.

**Pay the Retreat Fee of $30 if you haven't already; it is now past due.

**Mark your calendar: you promised to volunteer for the Retreat!
*****Mary and Kelly will contact you closer to the date to remind you what role you volunteered. Right now, you can mark your calendar to come on April 13 from 9:30-2:30 (although your hours will probably be shorter).

**Shop for outfit: see list here

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

**NEWSFLASH: Payless Shoes is going out of business -- get there now!!

**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

Moses' tabernacle: https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/The-Tabernacle

Moses' ark: https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Ark-Of-The-Covenant

Scanned pages from The New Saint Joseph First Communion Catechism: ​file:///C:/Users/macevedo/Downloads/The%20New%20Saint%20Joseph%20First%20Com%20-%20Kelley,%20Bennet,%20C.P._5807.pdf

The meaning of the word host: https://aleteia.org/2016/05/22/why-is-the-eucharist-called-a-host/

Types of unleavened bread slideshow: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/10-unleavened-breads.htm

The Real Presence, especially John 6:35-69, but read the full context: http://www.usccb.org/bible/john/6

Meaning of receive: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/receive

Meaning of take: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take

Chewing and even "gnawing" the Host: https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/controversy/protestant-objections/the-eucharist-is-the-real-presence-biblical.html and https://www.patheos.com/blogs/prayergardens/2015/08/devouring-christ/

Attacks on our Catholic belief in the Real Presence: https://www.thecatholicthing.org/2011/08/06/the-eucharist-a-cannibalism/

Do not share Communion with your children: http://www.dailycatholic.org/spioxbio.htm

Mortal sin: ​http://www.saintaquinas.com/mortal_sin.html

IMPORTANT DATES

• Mandatory meetings for adults: Parents or grandparents or godparents must attend a meeting in January and a meeting in February. Meetings happen during class times (5:15-6:30). 
  • Choose one: January 29, 30, or 31
  • Choose one: February 26, 27, or 28

**Your child cannot be absent during the entire month of April 2019.**

• Retreat: Saturday, April 13, 2019, from 10-2PM in the Parish Hall
  • We need adult volunteers - please sign up and help!
• First Reconciliation: 5:15-6:30 in the main church on Tuesday, April 23; Wednesday, April 24; and Thursday, April 25, 2019 (during their normal class time)
  • Parents, siblings, grandparents, and godparents are all invited to attend.
  • If your child is absent this week, he or she will not be able to receive First Holy Communion with the group! 
• First Holy Communion Mass: Sunday, May 5, 2019, at 12:00 noon.
  • Children need to meet in the Parish Hall dressed and ready to go at 11:30am.
• Certificate of Sacrament: distributed in a special ceremony on the last day of class (May 7,8,9)
  • Parents, siblings, grandparents, and godparents are all invited to attend.

IMPORTANT REQUIREMENTS
$30 Retreat Fee per First Communicant is due no later than February 26/27/28, 2019
We can only accept check or cash in the exact amount.

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, no sneakers (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.

PARENTS SHOULD DO THIS OFTEN, ESPECIALLY THROUGHOUT THE 2018-2019 YEAR

• Go to Mass.
  • Times are listed on the home page of our website and on the front page of our bulletin.
  • Place an envelope into the collection basket or use the electronic Faith Direct system. These methods help us track attendance/participation. Donating loose money is unidentified and therefore attendance is not tracked.
  • Make sure your child doesn't forget to have a priest or deacon sign the Mass Signature Card. This also helps us track attendance/participation.
• Go to confession so you can be a good example for your child.
  • Confession at Holy Family is every Saturday from 2:45-3:45. Search the websites of other parishes in our area if that day and time are inconvenient for you.
• Bring your child with you so that he or she can see what the sacrament "looks like."
  • During the time you are in the confessional, your child will wait outside. 
  • Ask him or her to pray for you because you want to become a better person, and their prayers help you do that. Be honest and tell them that everyone has challenges in their lives ("a cross to bear") -- so do you, and prayers for another person really help. Tell your child that you pray for him or her, and make sure you do it
• Linger after Mass and take your child into the confessional. Keep the door open while you are in there as a family. Talk about what it looks like, who sits where, what happens, and so on. Remember you are still in the sanctuary, so voices and actions should be controlled and respectful. If any accidents happen, please let me know so I can take care of it.