First Eucharist: Session 1

Session 1: At Home This Week

Welcome!

Dear parents or guardians,

Thanks for all that you do! Being a parent requires tons of self-sacrifice. Most of what you do for your child is seen by no one, and often not even appreciated by your child! But THANK YOU. On behalf of the faith community to which you belong--the Catholic Church--thank you! Because of you--and only because of you--your child will grow up Catholic....

For Non-Catholic Parents >>

Catholic Teaching on Eucharist >>

Learn Answers to Common Questions

We recommend that parents watch this great video from our friends at BustedHalo.com. It will help you be ready for questions from your child, extended family, or friends.

This video will be difficult for younger grade school children to understand, but appropriate for middle schoolers.

In the video, Fr. Steven Bell, CSP, answers questions about what Catholics believe about the Eucharist and receiving Communion:

How does the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ?
Should you receive Communion if you have sinned?
Why can’t non-Catholics receive Communion?

Review

We Gather with the People of God at Mass

In this first session, we focused on how we gather together for Mass (the Introductory Rites) and introduced what we do each week at Mass.

Start with a review with your child. Look through the handouts with your child, asking what he or she remembers or has questions about.

This week in Mass, help your child recognize what's happening during the Introductory Rites.

The Eucharist is essential for us: it is Christ who wishes to enter our lives and fill us with his grace.
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) February 28, 2014

Review a summary for this week >>

Learning to Pray

Traditional Prayers

Over the next few weeks, we will help you teach your child how to pray, both traditional prayers that can be memorized, as well as how they can make up their own prayers by simply talking to Jesus as they talk to a friend. We will start this week with traditional prayers.

There are certain prayers – like the Our Father and the Hail Mary – that every Catholic child should know by heart. Of course, you as parent or guardian should know them, too. This week, pick one or two prayers to help your child start memorizing.

Start learning traditional prayers >>

Home Tip

How To Have Supper

For many of us, having supper at home is a lost art. We sometimes have a hard time coming together as families or using mealtime as a way to connect with each other. We've gathered some tips for reclaiming this family tradition. Have supper together on as many nights as possible. Sit at the table and turn off the TV and electronic devices.

Read tips on having supper >>

Parenting Tip

Teaching Your Child to Apologize

Here is a short video you may find helpful with tips on how to teach kids how to say they are sorry (they shouldn't wait to go to confession to learn this art!)

LESSON 2 >>