First Holy Communion and Reconciliation

FIRST COMMUNION CHECKLIST:

•         Complete preparation for First Reconciliation
•          Child did First Reconciliation on 12-7-19, or made up at a later date
•          Submit copy of Baptism certificate to St. Andrew’s
•          Pick up your child’s First Communion textbook from the Parish Office (The parish office is open M-F from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.  I can also leave the book outside in our office foyer for pick up after hours.)
•          Complete preparation for First Communion at home (resources listed on the First Communion page of our website)
•       Take your child to participate in the sacrament of Reconciliation before they receive the sacrament of First Communion (optional but suggested). While we are still in quarantine, confession is available here at the Church; Mondays and Thursdays from 12:45-2:00 pm in the Chapel. Saturdays from 3:00-4:30 pm in the Chapel.
•          Watch the live stream of our 10:00 am Sunday Mass, either on Facebook or the RCS green channel (links on our website). This is a great way for your child to see what’s happening on the altar ‘up close and personal’.
• Obtain your child’s First Communion dress or suit. Click for examples of BOYS and GIRLS attire.

DIOCESAN POLICY

In a recent communication from the Catholic Diocese of Richmond, we were given the required Diocesan policies for the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. St. Andrew's is in compliance with these general principles and policies that have been mandated. Participation in the sacraments is a shared responsibility of parents, catechists, and the church itself, which is the assembly of believers united in Christ. The following is a general overview of how this process occurs within our parish. In the event that your young person has not completed preparation and/or received a particular sacrament, and you are concerned, you should contact the assigned coordinator. It is your responsibility to contact these individuals for further instructions.

FIRST RECONCILIATION and FIRST HOLY COMMUNION - Children preparing for these sacraments should be concurrently enrolled in Sunday morning Christian Formation, or at Roanoke Catholic School. Preparation for sacraments is offered in addition to the above mentioned faith formation. Please see Christian Formation calendar for specific dates. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church "Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time." (CCC 1457) Readiness for children to begin preparation for these sacraments is determined in part by:        

(For Reconciliation)

• Has been baptized
• Has reached the age of reason (7 years old)
• Can distinguish between right and wrong
• Can distinguish between mistakes and accidents
• Is able to express sorrow for sin
• Has the ability to forgive others
• Prays at home and at Mass
• Is able to relate to Jesus as one who forgives

(For First Holy Communion)

• Has been baptized
• Has reached the age of reason (7 years old)
• Is interested in receiving the sacrament
• Feels like they belong to the Catholic community
• Participates in Sunday Mass
• Prays at home and at Mass
• Has the ability to relate to Jesus as one who loves
• Has prepared for and received the Sacrament of Reconciliation

If your child missed the dates on June 20 and 27, please contact the Office of Christian Formation at 344-9814 ext. 124, or kboyer@standrewsva.org for information.  As of now, Father Kevin has agreed to have any make up dates at the Daily Masses (noon on weekdays).

PLEASE REFER TO THESE STEPS FOR RECEIVING COMMUNION, WHICH ARE OUTLINED IN THE VIDEO ABOVE.
The video references the parents assisting with the mask, but we are not doing that on June 27.

1. Please dress your child in their First Communion outfit, or just use “Sunday best”.  Remember that you’ll need a face covering for your child. (That is used only for when the child comes forward for the sacrament. Otherwise, they do not need to wear it while they are in Mass.)
2. Arrive at the Church between 10:30 am and 10:40 am.  Please use the lower entrance of the Parish Center, located near the Music Room and Mausoleum, then take the stairs or the elevator up to the Church. Those are the only entrance doors that will be open on that day.
3. Check in with the helper that will be standing inside the entrance.  We already have your contact information, so just give your child’s name and we’ll check it off.
4. Your pew will be reserved with your child’s name.
5. Please have the child seated on the inside end of your pew, as they will be going out to receive Communion first.
6. The child will not be required to wear their face covering when they enter the Church, or while they are in the pew, but will have to put it on just before they come forward for Communion.
7. The child will come by themselves to the altar to receive Holy Communion. Leave the rest of the family members in the pew. They will receive communion later.
8. The child approaches the altar, and Father Kevin will give them their First Holy Communion.  The child needs to extend their hands, left hand over right.  Have them practice keeping their palm FLAT, so that it lessens the chance that the priest could come in contact with their skin.
9. The priest says "The Body of Christ". The child's response is "Amen."  The child does not immediately consume the host, but rather, moves off to the side (either left or right, depending on which side of the church they are seated on.)
10. The child consumes the host while standing off to the side of the altar, and then puts their face covering back on.
11. The child returns to the pew, sits on the outside end, and can then take their face covering off.  They do not need to replace it for the rest of the Mass.  They can kneel, and say their prayers of Eucharistic thanksgiving.
12.  All of the children scheduled for that Mass will receive first. Then we will go back and let the families come forward for Communion.
13.  Pictures are allowed inside or outside, provided you maintain your social distancing.

Dear First Communion Families,

Many of you have reached out with questions regarding the First Communion Masses, so I thought it best to give you some FAQ's, and (hopefully) some answers.  Please know that what we do at St. Andrew's is governed by the Diocese of Richmond. Their current guidelines can be found HERE.  I would encourage you to read through those Diocesan Guidelines. 

1. "Will the students be receiving from the cup, or will they only receive the Body of Christ (host)?"  --  Holy Communion is not distributed from the cup.  Anyone who comes to Mass, whether a Sunday Mass, daily Mass, or a First Communion Mass, will only receive the host.
2. "Is everyone required to wear face masks?" -- The Diocese is requiring all those over the age of 10 to wear face masks during Mass. The mask is lowered to receive the host, then placed back over the mouth and nose.   Children under the age of 10 who are receiving First Communion don't have to wear their mask in the pew, but do have to put it on for coming up to receive Communion. They can take the mask off when they return to their pew.
3. "How many people can come to the First Communion Mass?" --  My original email said 'immediate family' to keep in compliance with the current Diocesan guidelines, which references people living in the same household.  So, if your child's grandparents want to be there, you would know best whether those people could sit in your pew with you.
4. "Is this a public Mass, or only for the children?" -- These Masses are separate from the Sunday public Masses or Daily Masses that we have at St. Andrew's.  Only the children and their families will be present.
5. "How will you address infection control and social distancing?" --  The Diocese has very strict guidelines regarding social distancing. The pews in the Church are currently marked so that every other pew is empty.  The priests wear masks for the distribution of Holy Communion, and they do have cleaning supplies at the ready just in case they make contact with someone's hand or skin.  Also, St. Andrew's is complying with the contract tracing mandate, meaning that volunteers will ask screening questions, and take your name and contact information when you enter the Church.
6. "What if I don't want my child to be in that large crowd? It's just too soon!" -- Father Kevin and I completely understand. We are making these Masses available so that the children can receive this sacrament, which has already been delayed for weeks.  But, if you would prefer to wait, there is nothing wrong with that at all.  Just let me know, and we can schedule something for later this summer, or even fall.
7. "My family will be out of town both of those dates." -- I have already heard from 2 families who will be gone then.  Father Kevin and I will work with those families and try to schedule a First Communion at a Daily Mass of your choosing, pending approval from Father Kevin.

Thank you all for your patience and understanding
 

Dear First Communion Families,

Father Kevin is very close to approving a date (or dates) for our children to receive the Sacrament of First Holy Communion.  We are waiting just a couple of more days, to hear how the Commonwealth's Phase 2 will impact any Diocesan guidelines that we would be required to follow.

The Parish Office is closed until Thursday, June 11, and all staff are working from home, but I do have access to my email and the website.  I know there are several First Communion textbooks that have still not been picked up from the Parish Office.  Additionally, there are several outstanding baptismal certificates, and there are several children who never completed their First Reconciliation that took place back in December.  Believe me, as a mom of four, I know what you're dealing with as far as managing difficult schedules for multiple children.  However, if your child. . .

• Has not done their sacramental preparation (which was assigned to the families to complete at home),
• Has not submitted a copy of their baptismal certificate (a prerequisite for receiving any other sacraments, per Canon Law),
• Has not done their confession with a priest (should be done before First Communion),

. . . then they will not be eligible to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion this year, and it will be delayed until later this year, or even next spring.  Therefore, I urge you to please make these things priorities.  I know it's difficult to plan ahead for this when the church hasn't even been able to set a date, but please attend to this.

If you need to pick up your child's textbook from the Parish Office, remember that you can't come and get it until June 11 or later.  Please email me with any questions or concerns, especially about making up Reconciliation.
 

Click HERE for "AT HOME RESOURCES for Instruction"

First Communion Parent Meeting POWER POINT from March 5