Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle
Sacramental Guidelines
Liturgies
First Communion
Liturgy – 1
Welcome
This ceremony takes place at the beginning of Mass at the start of October.
Entrance hymn–e.g. I have called you by your name (Bernadette Farrell), By name I have called you (Carey Landry) or Do not be afraid.
Celebrant: Dear God, you are our Creator and our parent. You know each of us by name. We are your children.You have called us by our name and we belong to you.
As we gather in the name of Jesus this morning, we welcome all the children who wish to begin their journey towards receiving Holy Communion next year. Please come forward now with your parents/guardians.
Thechildren come forward with their adult and bring with them a card with their name on it.
Celebrant: We are all your children. Gather us in your arms and show us how to walk closely with each other as we begin this special journey together.
Children as you step forward say your name and place your card on the display board to show that you want to begin this journey towards meeting Jesus in Holy Communion next year within this parish family of ______.
Each child steps forward with parent says their name and places their name on the board or in a basket.
The board or basket with names should be kept in a special part of the church which may be decorated to draw attention to the First Communion Programme.
Celebrant: Children, God called you by your name at your baptism and now the way to full Communionlies before you. Set your feet firmly onto that path and learn to trust Jesus always. Are you ready to begin this journey with Jesus as your guide?
Child: I am.
Celebrant: Parents and guardians; you have presented these children to our parish family at the beginning of this special journey. Are you prepared to help and guide them on their journey?
Parents: We are.
Celebrant: Father we thank you for these your children. You have called them today and they have answered that call in our presence:
We praise you Lord and we bless you.
All: We praise you Lord and we bless you.
Celebrant: In God’s name I welcome you to begin this journey. It is a journey of faith we will walk together. On the way we will meet Jesus often, and we will talk to Him and listen to Him often. I invite you now to be with Jesus in his Word this morning as you now go to your Children’s Liturgy of the Word.
Children go to liturgy while adults go back to their places.
First Communion
Liturgy – 2
Baptismal Renewal: Profession of Faith
This ceremony takes place on the Sunday on or after the Solemnity of All Saints.
The candidates are invited to gather at the font (or a suitable vessel on the sanctuary).
Priest: Let us pray for all those who are renewing their baptismal promises todayin preparation for Eucharist.
Baptism was the beginning of their initiation into this parish community. At their First Holy Communion Mass they will be one with us at the table of the Lord.
Blessing: Father, bless these children and make them eager to share in the banquet of Jesus.
Give them the strength of the Holy Spirit to profess the faith of your church.
Introduction:
Child: When we were younger our parents and godparentsbrought us to be baptised as members of the Church.
We have come today in preparation for our first communion.
With everyone gathered here we speak for ourselves.
Profession of Faith:
Priest: Do you believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth?
All: I do.
Priest:Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was born of the virgin Mary,
was crucified, died and was buried,
rose again from the dead, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty?
All: I do.
Priest: Do you believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting?
All:I do.
Priest: This is our faith. This is the faith of the Church.
We are proud to profess it, in Christ Jesus our Lord.
All:Amen.
Priest: You were baptised …..
All: `in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Each child dips his/her hand into the font and blesses him/herself with the sign of the cross (a sign of their fuller responsibility).The candidates rejoin the congregation.
First Communion
Liturgy – 3
Reconciliation
(This takes place at the time of the Penitential Rite during Mass).
Introduction: Read by a child.
At every Mass we remember that we do not always follow Jesus in the way that he asks us. In our words and our actions we can turn away from him. Sometimes we receive the Sacrament of Forgiveness when we come to Jesus to tell him that we are sorry. Even when we do not receive this special sacrament we must still remember that Jesus calls us to change and to try harder to show love to others and admit that we need his forgiveness. As we begin this Mass we stop for a moment and remember. We think back and ask ourselves if we need to say sorry.
(A short pause for silent reflection)
Celebrant:In this time of Advent we focus on our need of God; on the need to `stay awake’, change our hearts and make more room for God in our lives.
Child:God is always good.
It is wonderful that God had invited me here today to learn of his wonderful love.
God loves me.
When I turn away from God it is not good for me.
Celebrant:Lord, have mercy (or Kyrie Eleison).
All:Lord, have mercy (or Kyrie Eleison).
Child:God loves me.
When I turn back to God it is good for me.
Celebrant:Christ, have mercy (or Christe Eleison).
All:Christ, have mercy (or Christe Eleison).
Child:God loves me today and always.
I thank him for his perfect love.
Celebrant:Lord, have mercy (or Kyrie Eleison).
All:Lord, have mercy (or Kyrie Eleison)
Celebrant:May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
First Communion
Liturgy – 4
Listen to the Word
This liturgy takes place after the Opening Prayer on the Second Sunday of Ordinary. The gospel of each year of the cycle lends itself to subject of the sharing of the good news and so it would be appropriate if, in his homily, the priest could speak to the children on the importance of listening to God’s word. It is recommended that on this day the young people do not go to Children’s Liturgy of the Word.
Celebrant:Dear children, God speaks to us in the words of the readings here at Mass and we must listen carefully so that we may hearclearly his message for us. As part of your preparation for First Holy Communion I ask you to come forward with your parents to show you are going to try to listen to God and try to love his word.
The children are invited with their parents to stand at the front of the church, if possible, near the ambo/lectern. A catechist or server brings the lectionary from the lectern to the children.
The Celebrant signs each child’s ears with the Sign of the Cross and says:
Celebrant:Hear the Word of God.
The parent(s) sign(s) the child’s lips and says:
Parent:Speak the Word of God.
The catechist/server presents the open lectionary to the child who places his/her hand upon it saying:
Child:I will live the Word of God.
Celebrant:Now, children, you can take your place among us. Come and listen to the Lord as he speaks to us in the Readings.
(There may be a presentation to each child of a copy of the New Testament. In which case the priest adds the following. In this book Jesus speaks to us his message of love, the word of the Lord)
Children:Thanks be to God.
The children return to their seats, the lectionary is placed upon the ambo and the Liturgy of the Word continues.
First Communion
Liturgy – 5
Rite of Election for First Holy Communion
The Rite of Election marks the beginning of the time of preparation in school. It should not be seen as the beginning of the whole programme but rather the start of a more intensive phase of preparation in which the school will play its part. It takes place after the Gospel of the Sunday before half-term holidays in the Spring Term.
The priest invites the children to come forward with their parents. One of those involved in preparing the children also comes forward and addresses him.
Teacher/Catechist:Father, as we begin a new half-term our children who are preparing to make their First Holy Communion will now begin spending time in school to learn more about this special Sacrament.
The priest speaks to the congregation in these or similar words.
My dear friends, as you know, our children are preparing to share with us the Bread of Heaven so that they may be full members of the Body of Christ; they aregetting ready to drink from his Cup so that they may share his life for ever. Now this period of preparation will be added to by special lessons in school. Our children must listen carefully to the teaching of Jesus about Holy Communion.
And so, in your presence, I ask the parents of these children and their catechists who have been working with them to state their opinion, so that all of you may hear.
Do you consider these children ready to begin lessons in school about Holy Communion?
Parent/Catechist:I do.
The priest speaks to the children.
We have heard your parent/catechist say that you are ready to move to this next stage of preparation. The Church in the name of Jesus accepts this judgement. You must now tell everyone here clearly that you hear his call and will follow him.
The priest goes to each child, if possible, and asks:
N., will you listen carefully to your teacher in school as part of your preparation for First Holy Communion?
Child:I will/yes.
Each child is given a candle which is now lit as the priest says;
May Jesus be a light for your path. He is calling you to this sacrament. May he help you to be ready to receive him.
A hymn may be sung as the children are led to a place where their candles can be placed (e.g. a sand tray). They then return to their seats.
First Communion
Liturgy – 6
Offering ourselves
Children return from their own Liturgy of the Word (if there is one) and those preparing for First Communion stay around the Sanctuary steps. Perhaps a hymn such as ‘Take me Lord’ (Francesca Leftley) or ‘I am special’ (Bernadette Farrell) could be sung as they gather.
Children bring a plasticine/clay depiction of themselves if possible.
(This can be done in school the preceding week).
Representative Child: Dear God, you are our Creator and our parent. Yours, Lord, is the greatness, the power, and the glory; for everything in heaven and on earth is yours. All things come from you and we want to give our whole selves back to you.
We give ourselves to you now, and as these gifts of bread and wine are changed into the body and blood of Jesus, we ask you to mould and fashion us and make us whole in your love. Amen.
All children come forward with their image of themselves and place it on a tray or large plate with the inscription ‘I the clay will be moulded by my Lord’ in the centre of the tray.
Celebrant: Gracious and loving God, we give you thanks with grateful hearts for lives changed completely by your love shown to us in Jesus Christ. We offer these gifts and the service of our lives, praying that they may be used to transform the lives of those in need. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Children remain on the Sanctuary steps.
Celebrant:Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation,
for through your goodness we have received
the bread we offer you:
fruit of the earth and work of human hands,
it will become for us the bread of life.
All:Blessed be God forever.
Celebrant:Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation,
for through your goodness we have received
the wine we offer you:
fruit of the vine and work of human hands
it will become our spiritual drink.
All:Blessed be God forever.
Celebrant: Blessed are you Lord God of all Creation
For through your goodness, these children offer themselves to you. Accept them and transform them by your saving love and may the service they give in your name change the lives of those around them.
All:Blessed be God forever.
Celebrant: Children return to your places safe in the knowledge that Almighty God is pleased with the offering of yourselves to Him.
First Communion
Liturgy – 7
The ceremony takes place on the Fourth Sunday of Easter after the Gospel of the Good Shepherd or if there is a Children’s Liturgy of the Word after they have returned to the assembly.
The priest invites the children to come forward with their parents. One of those involved in preparing the children also comes forward and addresses him.
Teacher/Catechist:Father, in this season of Easter the time draws near for these members of the flock who have been spending time preparing for First Communion to be fed by Jesus the Good Shepherd.
The priest speaks to the congregation in these or similar words.
My dear friends, our children ask to share with us the Bread of Heaven so that they may be full members of the Body of Christ and to drink of his Cup so that they may share his life for ever. The period of preparation has involved listening to the words of Jesus and following his commands. They have prayedwith us as our brothers and sisters and now they are to be our companions in Christ completely.
And so, in your presence, I ask those concerned with their preparation to state their opinion, so that all of you may hear.
Do you consider these children ready to receive their First Holy Communion?
Teacher/Catechist: I do.
The priest speaks to the children.
We have heard your teacher/catechist say that you are ready. The Church in the name of Jesus accepts this judgement and calls you to this great Sacrament. You must now tell everyone here clearly that you hear his call and will follow him.
Do you wish to member of the Body of Christ and a sheep of his flock through the Sacrament of Holy Communion?
Children: I do.
The priest comes forward and shakes each child by the hand and says;
N., be a faithful member of the flock.
He may hand each child a small piece of cotton wool wrapped around a small cross/crucifix.
The priest then says to everyone;
My dear friends, let us now pray for these children that the Lord may lead them to safe pasture.
There is a pause for silent prayer and then the following prayer is said.
Lord God,
you build us up
by our sharing in the Bread that is broken
so that each of us may be part of the Body of Christ.
Guide these sheep of the flock
chosen by you to receive your Son.
May he keep them safe,
bring them back when they stray
and satisfy their hunger.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.Amen.
The priest dismisses the children.
Dear children, Jesus the Good Shepherd has called you to come close to him. In the time that is left to prepare for First Holy Communion make a greater effort to show love, to pray and to be part of our family here at Mass.
The children return to the benches. The homily follows if it has not already taken place.
First Communion
Liturgy – 8
The Mass of First Holy Communion
This celebration will be prepared in each parish in a slightly different way. The children, teachers and catechists should all have some involvement in the final outcome. The following provides some general ideas.
Introduction:(This could be given by a child). This may be composed, with guidance, by the children along these lines.
Today is a special day for which we have been preparing over many months. We are going to receive Jesus in Holy Communion this morning for the first time. He is coming to make his home in us and we want to welcome him with love and great joy, as we begin this new part of our journey in life.
Penitential: (By some of the children) or possibly a penitential son;
Lord Jesus, you come to us in Word and Sacrament. Lord, have mercy.