Preparing for First Holy Communion

[puzzleannie]

I am putting this here because I am talking to parents about their children. It is not our job (CCD) to teach your child how to behave at Mass, how to assist at Mass, to learn the prayers and responses. We are not the ones taking them to Church, you are. It is also your job to model the correct way to approach and receive communion, the correct way to pray quietly after communion, the correct way to prepare for communion. We are not with your child at these times, you are. If your child will be making first holy communion this spring, please practice at home, the venerable Catholic childhood custom of playing Mass, and please let them have a chance to taste wine so you don’t get Eeeew at the wrong time. Also teach them how to receive properly on the tongue. Look up at heaven (or Christ on the cross), stick out your tongue like you would for the doctor. NO receiving communion in the hand if you have a cast, purse, gloves, kleenex, baby or anything else in your hand. NO GUM IN CHURCH. Children MUST have the opportunity for confession before first communion, that is your direct responsibility as well. It is also imperative that anytime in the future your child says he needs to go to confession you take him, no questions asked. His reasons are none of your business, but he can’t get there without your help.

 

[joshjacob]

I totally agree with your comments. I firmly believe that most of the problems stems from the parents lack of knowledge of the Catholic faith & lack of common sense. My wife and I have three children of our own and we firmly believe that children follow what is done at home. If you do not talk & teach about Jesus at home they will have no desire to have someone else teach them about Jesus. To complicate matters children that behave poorly will distract others from learning. I wish there was something in place that required parents to get more involved with CCD and have them go through some adult catechism.