Amazing Catechists

Teaching and learning the faith together

First Communion Retreat

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This time of year often finds those of us who prepare children for First Holy Communion in our final weeks of preparation.  In our program, children receive First Holy Communion on the first Sunday in May.  We have a morning retreat for them a few weeks before.  It’s a chance to come together and do some activities together, take an up close tour of the church, practice the songs for Mass and practice how to receive.

Here is an outline with the resources we use:

9:00 am   Welcome, distribute name tags

9:05:  Opening Prayer

3 stations, each 20 minutes long;

9:20 – 9:40; 9:45 – 10:05; 10:10- 10:30

Station #1  The Weight of a Mass: A Tale of Faith by Josephine Nobisso;    I use the book, but there is also a Youtube video available.  We read the book and then ask questions about it.  If you have not read it, do so.  It is an amazing story with beautiful illustrations.  At a certain point in the story, the children listening will start nodding and gasping as they understand what is happening and the meaning behind all the action.

Station #2   Chalice and Host craft; I found this on The Catholic Toolbox.

Station #3  The Last Supper;  I read the Last Supper and then do a short reenactment with unleavened bread and grape juice.

10:35:  The Making of Communion Bread; this is an awesome video that not only demonstrates how hosts are made but explains what the Eucharist means to us.  A  Passionist nun of Erlanger, Kentucky, is our guide for this brief ten-minute video.

10:50:  Snack and Bathroom break

snack mixMix the following ingredients together in a large bowl, telling what each ingredient represents.  We have some for a snack and then the rest is bagged up with a tag on it for the children to take home.

11:00:  Church Tour; I point out our various statues, holy water font, tabernacle, how to genuflect, Mass responses and postures.  We also practice how to receive Holy Communion, with unconsecrated hosts, of course!  Then our music director teaches us the songs we will use at the Mass.  We close in prayer in the Church and then go back to the parish hall for parents to pick up the children at noon.

 

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About Deanna Bartalini

Deanna G. Bartalini, M.Ed.; M.P.A., is a certified spiritual director, speaker, and content creator. She has served in parish ministry as a religious education director, youth minister, liturgical coordinator, and stewardship director. Deanna is the founder of the LiveNotLukewarm.com online community. Her Not Lukewarm Podcast gives you tips and tools to live out your faith in your daily life.
Deanna was a regular contributor to Catechist Magazine. She writes for CatholicMom.com, Diocesan.com, WHer bible study, The Stay Connected Journals for Catholic Women, Invite the Holy Spirit into your Life, published by Our Sunday Visitor, contributed to the Catholic Mom’s Prayer Companion from Ave Maria Press, and Digital Ministry and Leadership in Today’s Church, published by Liturgical Press.
Deanna is available to lead retreats and speak at catechist and ministry events.

Comments

  1. Francine says

    THANK YOU!!!! I have been look for stuff to do for a FC retreat for some time. We want to change how we are doing things. 🙂

  3. EJ says

    What about the parents? We would like for them to also be taught. Most of our parents just take the children but forget about themselves.

    • Deanna Bartalini says

      I think you can have the parents participate with their children on the same activities. Maybe during story time, have a parent conversation about the Eucharist. Give them a chance to ask questions about the sacrament – not logistics.