First Communion

First Communion is celebrated with children after two years of religious education.  Students attending Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School are prepared for the sacrament in their religion class.  Students that attend other schools are prepared for first Communion through the Parish School of Religion.

For all students receiving the sacraments of Reconciliation and Communion for the first time, there will be a parent meeting on Thursday January 13 at 6:00 PM in the church. At least one parent should attend. Registration forms for the sacraments will be collected along with a fee for the sacraments. The total fee is $50 ($25 for Reconciliation and $25 for Communion). The fee covers supplies for preparation including a book for each sacrament, the retreat, the necessities for the ceremonies. A copy of the child’s Baptismal certificate is needed in the DRE’s office. If one had not been handed in yet, it can be brought to the meeting or emailed to C.C. Merritt at cre@olphbc.org
 
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCmumpsrwBE Fr. Mike Schmitz – Making a Good Confession (7:10)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiVjwlUO9Sc Fr. Mike Schmitz – Confession is a Place of Victory (8:01)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz5-vu6A58E Busted Halo – Sacraments 101: Penance (why we confess) (5:09)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-mbVFzy5A8 Bishop Barron – The iPhone App & Confession (6:19)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIGXtDR2GCk    Bishop Barron on the Mass (11:23)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuyxQvb9Ayw   Fr. Mike Schmitz – Motivation to Go to Catholic Mass (9:26)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpUp6zSGCb4 Fr. Mike Schmitz - Pray The Mass like never before (45:00)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pw7Hl4RxFI  Fr. Mike Schmitz – Why we have to attend Mass and receive Communion in a state of grace. (8:08)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whbzLYi7cyc  Miracle of Lanciano Italy (6:31) 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBs-xWeWuCM Miracle of Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1996 (4:06)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5pJS9ZzCXg Fr. Josh Johnson – A Hospital for Sinners (2:32)

Traditionally we would give about 20 to 30 minutes per station (with bread baking and story/snack combined in one) but being at home you can take more or less time for each station as you and your child needs. I’ve listed the supplies needed with the things not supplied by OLPH underlined. This will also be posted on our website under 1st Communion to make it easier for you to click on links as you need to. Enjoy your day!

Bread Baking Station: 

Supplies: Bisquick, water/milk, measuring cups, mixing bowl, parchment paper, baking sheet, oven

Instructions: mix the ingredients according to directions. Let your child shape the dough into symbols of our faith such as a cross, host, chalis, hugs (pretzel shape), etc. Place on parchment paper, on a cookie sheet, and place in the oven according to directions. Share with the family at the next meal you share together. 

Craft Station: 

Supplies: host & chalice on card stock, tissue paper strips, glue sticks or glue

Instructions: glue small strips of tissue paper on the card stock to make it look like a stained glass window. Use white or cream colored for the host, gold or yellow for the chalice, and the miscellaneous other colors for the background. 

Story/ Snack Station:

Supplies: internet device, Jesus and Me booklet, pencil, crayons, goldfish 

Instructions: view the reading of A Handshake From Heaven https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grkTKqiMMF0 while enjoying the snack. When finished fill in the little booklet. 

Video Station: 

Supplies: internet device 

Instructions: view the following links about 1st Communion 

Hosts for Jesus:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8JlEr5RPig  

Eucharistic Miracles:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhfx3PGxcS4

Sophia Sketch Pad: The Eucharist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcB7Uem00n4

Sacraments 101: Eucharist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdGkTdv4Dt4&t=201s 

Music Station: 

Supplies: internet device, song sheets

Instructions: listen to and read along with the sheet music to be familiar with the songs for the ceremony. Pay close attention to the words. 

Hail Mary, Gentle Woman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RERoQ1biLdE

Come, Now Is The Time to Worship  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4kZRUj4yog

This Is Jesus by Jim Cowan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li_grZb_nOE

We Come to Your Feast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9EB1BsDE6s

Remembrance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVk7jhvhrLY

Eat This Bread https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHv35gKTK9M

Joyful, Joyful We Adore You https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxEUIJuDQfA&list=RDHxEUIJuDQfA&index=1

Also included in the bag are several puzzle pages to use in between some activities.