Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall

Path to Grace May 2025

Greetings!

“We hope you are having a joyful and blessed Easter! Isn’t it wonderful that we get to celebrate Easter for a whole 50 days?  Talk about a season of joy that keeps on going!

As the big day for First Eucharist and Confirmation draws near, signs of spring are starting to bloom all around us—nature’s gentle reminder that fresh starts are in the air!”

In this edition of Path to Grace, we’re excited to share some practical, stress-free tips for your upcoming First Eucharist and Confirmation Masses. We’ll walk you through ideas for reconciliation prior to confirmation, practice tips for the big day, and some thoughtful details that can help make these sacraments a holy and memorable celebration.

This time of preparation is truly special for both students and families, and it’s the little things that often make the most lasting impact. We’re here to help you navigate these final steps with ease and joy!

In this edition we also encourage you to check out the “Growing in Faith Growing Christ” religion program, parish portal link. 

I hope this edition of Path to Grace is helpful!  If you have any ideas, you would like to share or have any questions simply send me an email at victoria.pusiak@ottawacornwall.ca I would love to hear from you😊

Praying that you will have a blessed 1st Eucharist and or Confirmation Mass!

Peace and blessings, Victoria

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 1st 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 1st 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 1st Eucharist or Confirmation, so they feel prepared.

 

First EucharistPractice 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, 1st Reading, 2nd 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 1st 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 1st Holy Eucharist or Confirmation Mass simply send me an email😊

Helpful videos

The Ottawa Catholic school board religion program GIFGIC is both vibrant and engaging for students. It is easy to use and a special link for parish use of the resources is available for parishes!  The program provides access to videos, songs, games, stories and more.  These are available by grade and are so amazing! Simply  click here and enter the user name and password to have access to these valuable resources.

USERNAME:  OCSB_parish

PASSWORD:  RELIGION1

Jubilee Resources for Children

Here’s a link to a super 4 page jubilee year workbook for children created by Sadlier Religion; it is fun and downloadable!  Sadlier is an excellent resource, check out their website for additional ideas and info!

REL_DL_Jubilee2025_MiniMagazine.pdf

The CCCB has online resources for children age 6 – 11 available for reflection and engagement for the jubilee year!  Older material for teens is coming!  Here is the link Catechetical Activities for Children and Youth – Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops

Jubilee prayer card download

Welcome to the Archdiocese

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