Our First Reconciliation & First Communion program is called "Blessed". It was developed by the Dynamic Catholic organization. You can check it out here: https://dynamiccatholic.com/blessed.
These fun, animated videos are available to watch anytime!
Link to the videos here: https://dynamiccatholic.com/blessed/program-view/
UPDATE - July 1, 2020:
The parish office and catechists have been in communication by email. Most of the youth have now done their First Reconciliation and will each celebrate their First Communion as individuals once they are ready. Parents: A reminder to please inform Fr. Beachey BEFORE Sunday Mass should your child be celebrating First Communion. If your child has NOT yet received First Reconciliation, please call the parish office as soon as possible to arrange. Thank you.
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Classes (for children in Grade 2 or higher) will be held on Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. in the Parish Hall at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. To participate in the program, class attendance and Mass attendance will be mandatory. There are a total of 8 classes: One class for students per month starting in October. There will be 2-3 parent sessions. Long weekends have been considered and there will be no classes scheduled on long weekends or around March break. Father Beachey will celebrate First Reconciliation with the students on the day before First Communion Sunday. First Communion will be celebrated on Sunday, May 24th.
2019-2020 Class Schedule
/documents/2019/10/2020%20schedule%20for%20reconciliation%20and%20communion.doc
Homework from Class #5 - February 2, 2020
Hello at home! It was great to see almost everyone last Sunday! We covered the first 2 lessons in the new First Communion booklet. Lesson 1 was a review, well covered in video#2. At home, please read to/with your child the Creation Story on p. 56-58. In Lesson 2, the importance of Sunday mass, we watched video#1, 4, 7; read and discussed p. 56-58 and p. 66-70. Homework is on p. 46-49 and p. 72-74. First Reconciliation books will be returned, for you to keep for reference, at our next session MARCH 2 Just a note to introduce to the catechism Q&A section (yellow pages at the back of each book). This is an excellent reference and we strongly encourage you to take the time to review these important articles of the Catholic Church with your child, perhaps a few sections each week. Thankyou for sharing this journey to reconciliation and first communion with us. The next class is Sunday, March 1, 2020.
Homework from Class #4 - January 12, 2020
At home, please share with your child Lesson #6, p. 177>, the end of the session on First Reconciliation. Please return booklet next session (Feb 2), and a new booklet, First Communion, will be sent home. Lesson 5 provides a comprehensive outline of the steps leading to First Communion, and a powerful reminder, in the retelling of the Prodigal Son, that God’s love is always greater than our sin. We watched videos 2, 3,5. Flower stickers are a reminder to grow flowers, not weeds and thorns, in the garden of our hearts. Thank you for being a part of your child’s journey to First Reconciliation and First Communion. *As many missed out on Jan. 12 session due to nasty weather, we ask that you thoroughly read and discuss the five steps leading to First Communion (p. 148-162) as this provides the basis of future lessons. Looking forward to seeing all youngsters on Feb 2.
Homework from Class #1 - October 3, 2019
Parents are encouraged parents to view videos from lessons 1 and 2 with their children and to complete the Gratitude list sent home. Videos may be found at the link above.
Homework from Class #2 - November 3, 2019
Our first two sessions have covered the first 3 chapters in the First Reconciliation booklet. It has been wonderful to see all the children attend each session, and to witness their participation in the lessons. I guess it helps that they know each other well, and there is no shyness! On p. 40, children attached a copy of the Ten Commandments, written in words given by children, that hopefully will make reviewing these laws a bit more understandable. We do encourage children to write in the Journal to Jesus in each lesson. It’s a great opportunity for children to reflect on what they have heard and seen, and a place to ask questions they may have. Reading these entries gives us a link with children in a personal way. In session 2, we viewed videos 2 ,3 and 5. Watching the videos together repeats and reinforces the information we cover in class. The videos present the message of Jesus’ love and grace in an engaging animated format. Children are asked to complete p. 98-101 in the book as homework for our next session, on Sunday, Dec. 8. If your child(ren) are unable to attend a session, please check this space for an update on what was covered. See you on Dec. 8!
Homework from Class #3 - December 8, 2019
We completed Lesson #4 (pg. 105-134, focusing on what is a sacrament, reconciliation, the Lord's Prayer (p.119) and our need to get rid of our "stinking thinking", remembering there is nothing we can do that will make God stop loving us. Although all the videos are engagiong and informative, due to time constraints, we only watched videos 2,3,6,7 in class. We made a chart of the Lord's prayer, with each child adding a phrase to complete the script; we discussed each strip as it was added to the chart, hopefully imprinting meaning and not just rote repetition of words. For homework, children should complete p.128, 129, 131. The little prayer book, sent home with each child, is a small gift from us to serve as a handy reminder of many basic Catholic prayers and responses used during Mass. We wish you all a happy and blessed Christmas. Susan & Charlene. Next class: January 12, 2020.