James::First Holy Communion!

The pictures for James' first holy communion in June were on his sister's camera. His sister has had a rather full year (having a toddler and being pregnant). Things have settled down a bit and she had chance to send me some pics! 

James and cousin Kyle

So sweet!

FHC Mini-Retreat

We spent the first part of the morning filling out some

workbook questions and reviewing what James and his cousin, Kyle, 

had learned in preparation for their First Holy Communion.

 Then we headed out for a church that has some beautiful outdoor Stations of the Cross. The little Stations books by Barton-Cotton Inc were just perfect. We were a bit short on time, and they are not very lengthy. Plus, even the little boys could read the stations.

 My older boys were "helpers" today and their enthusiasm went a long way to making it a really nice day.

 Each boy took turns reading.

 These stations really are pretty.

 The last station.

 When we finished the stations, the boys were able to go to confession with wonderful Father Mikki.

 Then we went to mass followed by lunch on the lawn and a few more review questions.

The boys had earned "tickets" (that converted in $) to spend at the church gift shop. James got a Police Bear with a prayer for our Policemen on it. Kyle chose a bear with

St. Anthony and a prayer to this wonderful saint on it.

Our final stop- McDonald's for some snack size McFlurries. :) Yum.

A Quiet Lent:::Sacrament Preparation

I have not posted often this Lenten Season, but we are still here! This year we have the double blessing of it being Lent as well as time for my youngest child to prepare to receive the Sacrament of Penance (reconciliation, confession) and First Holy Communion.

Our days have settled in to this routine-

We read our "Jesus Tree" bible stories with breakfast. This has been a great experience and a nice compliment to the "Jesse Tree" that we do during advent. During advent we read about the promises of the coming of the Messiah, and now, during Lent, we are reading about the life of Jesus beginning with His presentation at the Temple.

Coloring page for "Finding in the Temple"

On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, we watch Holy Heroes Lenten Adventures. This has been a nice addition to our Lent. I particularily appreciate when they preview Sunday's gospel reading. I can really tell that it makes a difference in what the boys take in at mass. The reminders to "make sacrifices" have been encouraging as well. Each day also has activity sheets, the rosary (audio), and the Stations of the Cross (audio).

We have our Lent Fortunes that we pick each morning.

The boys have been blessed with several opportunities to particpate in "Works of Mercy" and I am grateful for that. Sometimes I try and make opportunities for them, but the ones that God sends their way always seem to be a perfect fit.

                                                      


Much of our time has centered on the James' preparation for the Sacrament of Penance. It is the perfect match for the season. The concept of sin and of Christ suffering for our sins is at the center of our discussions- and that we can alliviate that suffering by turning our hearts toward Him.  I know that the concepts are big for a little 7 year old, but I am always amazed at how much children are capable of understanding!

Tonight was the reconciliation service at our church. I have to admit that I was skeptical at first- I am more of a traditional "confession in a confessional please" kind of person. For the service, 5 additional priests came and administered confession face to face in different areas of the church while music played to cover any voices from carrying. This was a new experience for me, but I was very humbled and moved by the service and the priests who so patiently heard confession.

James and his cousin decided to go to their first confession
with the one priest who was behind a screen.

In James words- "because it is more like Jesus is on the other side".

Joyful! And a bit silly.

All of our attention will focus on this week, Holy Week, and the preparation for

receiving the Eucharist for the first time in June.

Church Tour

I took my son and my nephew, who are both preparing for their first communion, downtown today to visit our Cathedral for a "church tour". The boys were awed. While our home church is plentiful in spiritual beauty, it does not compare to the physical splendors of this one. We truly had a wonderful time touring this church.

Hail Mary

A part of First Communion preparation is learning the basic prayers (of course). I have been working with James on saying his prayers and he is doing a great job!

However, with missing teeth and a few normal (I think) 7 year old speech glitches, the words are not always clear.

And, at least when my last son was took his first communion "test", the sister administering the test was very particular about this. That is not the reason I am posting this though. I just love the way kids sound when saying their prayers.

It almost makes me sad when they learn to say the "right".

First Communion::Things We Are Working On

It is always interesting to put your plans in writing and then to compare where you actually wind up going. With First Communion plans, we are progressing yet backtracking at the same time.

Our focus for this month was to be:

 Church Manners (check)

 All Saints (check)

 All Souls (check)

 Prayers (check)

10 Commandments (not even close)

 I think the 10 Commandments will have to wait until after advent.

Here are the things that we have been working on:

This Church Manners Chart is from the CHC first communion lesson plans. I have made similar charts for my older children (old school- before computers:)), so you could customize one to fit your family. After each Sunday mass this month, we read the chart and evaluated what areas James did very well in and gave one star for each (and will continue until the chart is filled with stars).

I put this together for James to do from That Resource Site. James is already checked off for "Creation", but we did not have a project for his notebook. I felt like he had done enough Creation worksheets and coloring pages over the years but when I saw this, I thought it would be perfect. I printed up the Ladder of Creation word pieces (shown sitting on the numbered paper) and the Ladder of Creation F3 piece (the numbered paper and the ladder). I had to shrink the word pieces as they are meant to go with a poster and not the F3 piece.

The way this will come together is this: As I read the creation story (or James retells it), James will choose a word and glue it on the section with correct number day. When he is done, the paper folds in half lengthwise and the ladder shown in the picture is glued on the front. James will then glue that to a folder in his notebook. God's Love Story (shown) is just one book that we have with the Creation story in it.

Also from That Resource Site, these cards can be put in order to help learn the "Hail Mary". James knows his prayers, but does not say the words very clearly. I am hoping that reading them will help him with that.

We finished this Trinity Page (That Resource Site) a while ago, but this is a nice open view.

James working on his St Gabriel coloring page.

Our main resource is turning out to be the New Saint Joseph First Communion Catechism. We are still using our other resources, but I like the approach of this little booklet. It is just the right amount of detail for a 7yo, yet is thorough enough at the same time.

Post #1- First Communion Planning

First Communion Preparation

Our plans through November.

Our primary resources are:
Jesus Our Life- Faith and Life Series #2 (no student workbook)
The New Saint Joseph First Communion Catechism
Catholic Heritage Curricula Lesson Plans (optional, but I have them on hand from my older two boys)
That Resource Site
Seton Art 1
Catholic Lapbooks
These are mentioned within this post, but I do not provide a link each time.

Front cover of our notebook from That Resource Site. I adjusted our subject headings to match those on this chart. As we complete each area of study, James can add a piece of the puzzle until it makes a complete picture- which James says is "very cool".

Our focus thus far:

Parts and Tools of the Church:
Things I See in Church Faith Folder (Catholic Lapbooks)
EWTN Kids

With place left for "Church Manners" booklet.

Who is God? The Trinity and What it Means.
Jesus Our Life (Faith and Life series)
That Resource Site "Holy Trinity" (printable)
Saint Joseph's First Communion Catechism

God Made Me/Creation and the Bible
Jesus Our Life (Faith and Life series)
Saint Joseph's First Communion Catechism
Children's Bible



We are planning for:

Church Manners:
Little Acts of Grace (book)
Manners booklet from "Things I See in Church" Catholic Lapbook
Church Manners chart from CHC lesson plans

Prayers:
Basic prayers needed to know:
Hail Mary, Our Father, Glory Be, and the Act of Contrition
St. Joseph's First Communion Catechism
Four types of prayer A.C.T.S. (That Resource Site)
Prayer Chart (when each prayer is said correctly, a sticker (holy card picture) is placed on the chart)

10 Commandments:
10 Commandments Faith Folder (Catholic Lapbooks)

Communion of Saints and the Holy Souls of Purgatory
November studies- learning about saints and praying for the souls in purgatory.

Our general planning page includes our "focus" for the week.

Great inspiration for a First Communion Notebook. Thank you to Happy Hearts Mom for sharing!!