Path to Grace May 2025

Tips for Reconciliation Prior to Confirmation

1. Communication of Date and Time:
   • Ensure that the date and time for the Reconciliation session are communicated clearly to all families well in advance.
   • It’s recommended to send reminders at different intervals: one at the time of scheduling, one week before, and a final reminder 24–48 hours before the event. Utilize, emails, website, bulletin and school communications.
   • Invite the teachers and catechists to attend the time of reconciliation.
2. Backup Plan for Absences:
   • Understand that unforeseen circumstances may arise, and flexibility is key to ensuring all candidates have the opportunity to experience Reconciliation before Confirmation. Have a flexible back up plan in place for these instances
   • Provide families with alternative options, such as an additional session or private appointment, to accommodate their schedules.
   • Offer the opportunity for sponsors and families to also receive the sacrament of reconciliation.
3. Share resources often:  

• Share resources for home preparation prior to the sacrament, such as an examination of Conscience, or the Act of contrition.
• Connect with the gr 6 teachers and ask if they could review the sacrament with the class during in class instruction.

Tips for the practice for First Holy Eucharist OR Confirmation

• Invite Everyone: Make sure 1^st Eucharist students or Confirmation candidates, their immediate families, and sponsors (if available) attend the practice session. The more that people know and understand about the day the more comfortable and enjoyable the Mass will be.
• Explain the Setup: Talk about where everyone will sit, the layout of the space, and arrival time sharing specific details for the First Eucharist or Confirmation Mass. Have an online link available with info or a handout reminding them of these points.
• Practice the Readings: If students are reading at Mass, give them a chance to practice their readings beforehand. Schedule a time in the church where they can review the readings and their role.
• Walk Through the Mass: Go over the entire 1^st Eucharist or Confirmation Mass step-by-step so everyone knows what to expect.
• Practice the Dialogue and Actions: Have each child or candidate practice the specific words and actions they are expected to know for the 1^st Eucharist or Confirmation, so they feel prepared.

First Eucharist – Practice the actions for receiving Holy Eucharist.

• Begin with the preparation of their hearts while they are seated in the pew
• Proceed to the movement towards the priest
• Explain how to hold their hands to receive Jesus
• have children practice bowing and receiving an unconsecrated host
• Share the sacredness of this time and how important it is to pray quietly when they return to their pew.

Confirmation

Introduce Candidates to the Chrism Oil: Let candidates smell the chrism oil and explain its significance as a sacred oil used during baptism and confirmation.

• Ensure the Archbishop or Bishop will be able to identify the candidate i.e. by: Name tag, or a card with the name on it. Supply a list of the names ahead of time so that he can be familiar with any unusual pronunciations.

Act of Confirmation – this is the time of dialogue with the Archbishop or Bishop

• Sponsor should have their right hand on the right shoulder of the Confirmation Candidate, in an “I’ve got your back” gesture.
• The Archbishop or Bishop will make the sign of the cross on the candidate’s forehead with the oil of Chrism while saying,
• “Name be sealed with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit”
• Candidate responds “Amen”
• Archbishop or Bishop then says “Peace be with you”
• Candidate responds “And with your Spirit”

Mass – here are some simple ideas that may help your celebration flow well.

• Seek candidates to participate in the Mass in different ways: They could hand out programs at the entry of the church, or provide a Welcome address, 1^st Reading, 2^nd Reading, 2 students for the Prayer of the Faithful and 3 more to bring the gifts forward at the time of offertory.  It is important to have students actively involved in the Mass.
• Invite the teachers, principals and catechists to attend the Mass and have reserved seating for the team.
• Have assigned/reserved seating, clearly identified for candidates, sponsors and families
• A well-structured program or projector responses for the Mass can help everyone actively participate and feel more connected to the Mass.
• Have a designated photographer which will allow families to fully enter into the beauty of the Mass.
• Have a small gift ready for the 1^st Eucharist students & Confirmandi, such as a prayer book, a rosary, or a special certificate, to serve as a reminder of their Confirmation. Consider asking a parish group to sponsor this gift, CWL, Knights of Columbus or prayer groups.
• Remind families to remain in their pew following the final blessing, this will allow you to arrange the students for a group photo, either as a whole group or by specific schools.
• Create a specific area for family photos 📸👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 following Mass. This is ideal as well for photos with the Archbishop or Bishop.  This allows the chance for families and candidates to greet the Archbishop while also creating a lasting memento of the day.
• Host a light reception following, maybe a parish group could host the reception or perhaps ask families to provide a peanut free snack for the reception!
• To add a little something extra after the event, send thank-you notes to the Archbishop, as well as to all those who helped organize the Mass (liturgical ministers, volunteers, musicians, etc.). A small gesture of gratitude goes a long way in creating positive connections.

If you would like an outline for either a 1^st Holy Eucharist or Confirmation Mass simply send me an email😊