Ways You Can Help Prepare Your Child at Home
Parents of First Communicants,
Below are suggestions, resources, activities, and Scripture stories to help you work with your child as they prepare to receive Holy Communion. These will help to strengthen their understanding of the Mass, Eucharist, Jesus Christ, and the community's role as the Body of Christ.
- Share with your child the day of their Baptized through stories, pictures and other mementos from that special day.
- Read with your child Matthew 26:17-19, 26-30 and the "Digging Deeper" section in your child's copy of Gospels for Young Catholics that they received at Mass earlier this year (pages 196).
- Identify all the people you know who have also been baptized into the family of Christ.
- Have your child interview an adult from our parish community to find out what does it mean to them to belong to the family of Jesus Christ.
- Remind your child of the stories you shared of their Baptism and how your felt.
- Ask your child how they might feel when they receive the Body of Christ for the first time. Have them draw a picture of themselves receiving Communion for the first time.
- Identify multiple people you know who have already celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation. If you and your child attended the liturgy, recall the things you remember about the celebration.
- Read John 14:15-17, 26-27 from the bible and discuss the meaning of this passage.
- Click the button above and learn the poem to help you remember the parts of the Mass.
- Practice making the Sign of the Cross and saying the Lord's Prayer together. Consider reading Matthew 6:9-13 from the bible.
- God Nourishes Us: Read Exodus 16:13-15 with your child and discuss its meaning.
Jesus Feeds the Crowds
- Read John 6:8-11from the bible.
- Teach your child the prayer for after Communion by St. Richard of Chichester
O most merciful Redeemer,
Friend, and Brother,
May I know you more clearly,
Love you more dearly,
And follow you more nearly,
For ever and ever. Amen
- Have your child write their own prayer for after receiving Communion.
Remembering the Stories of Jesus...
Consider reading and familiarizing your child with the many stories about Jesus from the Gospels as part of your bedtime routine with your child.
Christmas: A Savior is Born
Read the two versions of the Nativity narrative in your child's copy Gospels for Young Catholics.
- Matthew 2:9-10
- Luke 1:30-33, 38
The Easter Story: The Risen Christ
Read the two versions of the Crucifixion Story in your child's copy of Gospels for Young Catholics .
- Matthew 27:50-54
- Mark 16:1-6
Pentecost; The Sending of the Holy Spirit
Read about The Ascension / Great Commision in your child's copy of Gospels for Young Catholics (page 205)
We Are Sent
Read Matthew 28:16-20 and the " in your child's copy of Gospels for Young Catholics.
Rejoice and Be Glad!
- Read Matthew 5:6-9,14-16 from the bible.
