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.

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)

First Reconciliation & First Eucharist
Important Dates
January 14 (6:00PM)    Parent Meeting; First Reconciliation books go home
Sacramental preparation books are used to help share the preparation process with the parents and family. The purpose is to open up a dialogue between the students and parents in addition to the details addressed in the school and PSR classes/textbooks. 

February 10        Vests go home
For those new to OLPH, felt vests are made and distributed to the students. They decorate it with things that represent them such as sports, music, reading, family and especially religious symbols. 

February 22-24        Vests come back 

March 2 (5:00PM)    Virtual 1st Reconciliation Practice & First Eucharist Meeting 
The practice is required so the parents and students understand where everyone will need to go for the ceremony. Details about 1st Eucharist will be discussed. This will be posted on YouTube and link will be given at a later date.

March 3     1st Reconciliation; First Eucharist books go home
    4:00PM OLPH school students
    6:00PM OLPH PSR and Homeschool students 

April 24 (9:00-12:00)    Virtual Retreat/rehearsal  
The retreat will be a “home retreat” and the rehearsal will be posted with instructions for the day of the ceremony 

May 1     1st Eucharist Ceremony 
    9:00AM OLPH school students
    12:00 noon OLPH PSR and Homeschool students

February 22-24        Vests come back 
March 2 (5:00PM)    Virtual 1st Reconciliation Practice & First Eucharist Meeting 
The practice is required so the parents and students understand where everyone will need to go for the ceremony. Details about 1st Eucharist will be discussed. This will be posted on YouTube and link will be given at a later date.
March 3     1st Reconciliation; First Eucharist books go home
    4:00PM OLPH school students
    6:00PM OLPH PSR and Homeschool students 
April 24 (9:00-12:00)    Virtual Retreat/rehearsal  
The retreat will be a “home retreat” and the rehearsal will be posted with instructions for the day of the ceremony 
May 1     1st Eucharist Ceremony 
    9:00AM OLPH school students
    12:00 noon OLPH PSR and Homeschool students
family. The purpose is to open up a dialogue between the students and parents in addition to the details addressed in the school and PSR classes/textbooks. 
February 10        Vests go home
For those new to OLPH, felt vests are made and distributed to the students. They decorate it with things that represent them such as sports, music, reading, family and especially religious symbols. 
February 22-24        Vests come back 
March 2 (5:00PM)    Virtual 1st Reconciliation Practice & First Eucharist Meeting 
The practice is required so the parents and students understand where everyone will need to go for the ceremony. Details about 1st Eucharist will be discussed. This will be posted on YouTube and link will be given at a later date.
March 3     1st Reconciliation; First Eucharist books go home
    4:00PM OLPH school students
    6:00PM OLPH PSR and Homeschool students 
April 24 (9:00-12:00)    Virtual Retreat/rehearsal  
The retreat will be a “home retreat” and the rehearsal will be posted with instructions for the day of the ceremony 
May 1     1st Eucharist Ceremony 
    9:00AM OLPH school students
    12:00 noon OLPH PSR and Homeschool students


    4:00PM OLPH school students
    6:00PM OLPH PSR and Homeschool students 
April 24 (9:00-12:00)    Virtual Retreat/rehearsal  
The retreat will be a “home retreat” and the rehearsal will be posted with instructions for the day of the ceremony 
May 1     1st Eucharist Ceremony 
    9:00AM OLPH school students
    12:00 noon OLPH PSR and Homeschool students
ith things that represent them such as sports, music, reading, family and especially religious symbols. 
February 22-24        Vests come back 
March 2 (5:00PM)    Virtual 1st Reconciliation Practice & First Eucharist Meeting 
The practice is required so the parents and students understand where everyone will need to go for the ceremony. Details about 1st Eucharist will be discussed. This will be posted on YouTube and link will be given at a later date.
March 3     1st Reconciliation; First Eucharist books go home
    4:00PM OLPH school students
    6:00PM OLPH PSR and Homeschool students 
April 24 (9:00-12:00)    Virtual Retreat/rehearsal  
The retreat will be a “home retreat” and the rehearsal will be posted with instructions for the day of the ceremony 
May 1     1st Eucharist Ceremony 
    9:00AM OLPH school students
    12:00 noon OLPH PSR and Homeschool students

    4:00PM OLPH school students
    6:00PM OLPH PSR and Homeschool students 
April 24 (9:00-12:00)    Virtual Retreat/rehearsal  
The retreat will be a “home retreat” and the rehearsal will be posted with instructions for the day of the ceremony 
May 1     1st Eucharist Ceremony 
    9:00AM OLPH school students
    12:00 noon OLPH PSR and Homeschool students

    6:00PM OLPH PSR and Homeschool students 
April 24 (9:00-12:00)    Virtual Retreat/rehearsal  
The retreat will be a “home retreat” and the rehearsal will be posted with instructions for the day of the ceremony 
May 1     1st Eucharist Ceremony 
    9:00AM OLPH school students
    12:00 noon OLPH PSR and Homeschool students

    4:00PM OLPH school students
    6:00PM OLPH PSR and Homeschool students 
April 24 (9:00-12:00)    Virtual Retreat/rehearsal  
The retreat will be a “home retreat” and the rehearsal will be posted with instructions for the day of the ceremony 

May 1     1st Eucharist Ceremony 
    9:00AM OLPH school students
    12:00 noon OLPH PSR and Homeschool students
 

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.