Sacramental Preparation 2011

During the Year of Evangelisation the Archdiocese of Dublin is promoting parish sacramental programmes as a vehicle for evangelisation.

The Office of Evangelisation is providing support to help parishes plan, prepare and promote parish sacramental programmes throughout the diocese. The First Communion parish programme Do This in Memory was presented recently to parishes in the five Episcopal areas. Over 255 people attended, representing an interest from 89 parishes in the Diocese.

The programme was developed by two diocesan advisors, Maeve Mahon from the diocese of Kildare & Leighlin and Fr. Martin Delaney from the diocese of Ossory. "Do This in Memory" is a First Communion parish based programme and is already in operation in many parishes. It has received an enthusiastic welcome from parents, parishioners and teachers.

Role of Parents in First Communion

The Rite of Baptism addresses parents as “first teachers in the ways of faith”. It is widely acknowledged that the most effective catechesis of children takes place when home, school and parish accept their share of the responsibility and work together. Pope Benedict XVI speaking in his encyclical Sacramentum Caritatis in 2007 emphasised the importance of such a relationship stating...

In pastoral work it is always important to make Christian families part of the process of initiation. Receiving Baptism, Confirmation and First Holy Communion are key moments not only for the individual receiving them but also for the entire family, which should be supported in its educational role by the various elements of the ecclesial community.

Do This in Memory is based on the following principles:

• The work of sacramental preparation is a process that begins long before the First Communion celebration.

• The celebration of First Communion is not an end in itself. Together with Baptism and Confirmation it opens the door to full membership of the Christian community.

• The sacramental preparation of children must always be seen within the context of whole-community catechesis- home, school and parish working together in partnership.

Liturgical Guidelines for First Eucharist
available here

 

Benefits of Parish Based Preparation for First Communion

I have used Do This in Memory in three parishes over a number of years. I believe that parish based sacramental programmes are at the cutting edge of evangelisation today. There are benefits for all.

Parish-based sacramental programmes offer parents an opportunity to take an active part in their child’s faith formation and in so doing, to grow in their own faith. Do This in Memory, as a method of evangelisation, offers parents an invitation to accompany their child in a meaningful way as they prepare for their First Communion. The parish programme takes place within the context of the Sunday Eucharist, where we are nourished both in Word and Sacrament and sent forth to live the Gospel. This programme also reinforces the home as the most significant place, where the faith of children is nurtured and sustained.

As a parent I believe this is true. Parents need support to live out their role as first teachers of their children. Some parents lack confidence in their role as first teachers, but through the programme they are drawn into more active participation. Liturgy forms us. Children see their parents participating and modelling a way forward for them. In this way First Communion takes on a different meaning for parents. It becomes a step on the journey towards full initiation and a lifelong relationship with Christ, and not merely a one day event. Some parents come to realise the value of ongoing faith formation for themselves. More questions than answers arise from parents after the First communion day. Some of them have questions such as what next? Is there any other programme for my child? Do we have to wait till Confirmation to get involved again?

Naturally the outcome most desired by parish teams and parishioners is for all children who have made their First Communion to continue to come to celebrate the Eucharist every Sunday. This does not always happen. However the pattern of coming to Mass on Sunday is established in some families.

The children are initiated into the local worshipping community. Parishioners are revitalised by the number of families coming to Mass every Sunday of the programme, and they have a chance to pray for the children. The atmosphere in the church on the Sundays of the programme is energised by the presence of the families and there is great anticipation as the First Communion day approaches.

Preparation for the sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation is centred on the Alive-O programme in the primary school. It is the core resource for the teaching of Religious Education. However, the school programme alone is not sufficient to support parents and involve the parish community. Do This in Memory promotes regular attendance at Sunday mass and supports the teachers’ role in sacramental preparation. It encourages the use of songs from the Alive-O programme for the Sundays of the programme. The programme flows from the parish Sunday Eucharist and is continued in the home through a newsletter entitled The Grapevine.

As parishes begin to create a pastoral agenda for the year ahead, hopefully they can look at some of the sacramental moments and how we can pastorally renew parish life in this Year of Evangelisation.

Rosemary Lavelle,
Office of Evangelisation,
Holy Cross Diocesan Centre, Clonliffe, Dublin 3.
01 – 8379253 ext. 247

evangelisation@dublindiocese.ie