By Collen Pressprich
This year we are preparing our eldest to receive her First Holy Communion. It’s a daunting task, but her father and I are enjoying diving deeper into the mystery of the Eucharist with her. We are teaching her at home using our parish’s religious education program, but are supplementing the workbook with some family-centered activities.
Spend Time at Adoration
At six or seven, most children are able to spend at least a little time at Adoration on a regular basis. There are a couple of local parishes that have weekly adoration hours, and we try to choose one that fits our schedule each week. We don’t stay for the whole hour, but I pack a bag of Catholic coloring pages and books, and we spend some time with the Eucharistic Lord. I like to think of it as her opportunity to get to know Him better.
Take a Church Tour
Preparing a child for First Communion also means that we spend time preparing our child to pay closer attention at Mass each week. One of the ways that we encourage that with our children is by taking a tour of the church. We sent a message to our associate pastor asking if he might have some time to spend with our family showing the children around the parish. It was very exciting to them to be allowed to see inside the confessionals, walk up to the altar, and take a peek behind the scenes in the sacristy. They even got to hold a chalice! It was a wonderful opportunity for them to feel connected to both the physical church and also our parish community.
Practice, Practice, Practice
First Communion can be intimidating for a child. They are doing something very important for the very first time in front of a very large audience. Helping your child feel confident and comfortable will help make the day exciting and something to look forward to instead of anxiety producing. So we practice. A lot. We practice the way to walk up the aisle, how to hold your hands, when to bow, how to receive (and this year, how to remove and replace your mask safely).
Go to Daily Mass
When our daughter began preparing to make her First Communion, we arranged for their grandma to watch our other children so that Gianna and I could attend a weekly daily Mass. The chance for one-on-one time combined with being able to more quietly and closely observe the parts of the Mass has been beautiful for her. If you have the opportunity to attend daily Mass with your child, whether it be weekly or even once a month, it will bear fruit.
As you prepare for First Communion with your child, know that my prayers, and those of the whole Brother Francis community, are with you. May your day be filled with excitement and joy!
