Friday Evening

Opening Prayer: Lord, help our family members always be open to the gifts of God’s love and grace in the sacraments, especially the Eucharist. Amen.

Bible Readings: The gospel of Matthew 26: 26–28 and 1 Corinthians 11:23–26

(Allow a few moments of silence to think about the readings.)

Reflection (child, parent, or older sibling reads):

Tonight, is the big night! The last night before First Holy Communion! At First Holy Communion Mass tomorrow, listen closely to the words that Fr. Martin says when he puts his hands over the bread and wine. He will use almost the same words that we heard Jesus say in these two Bible readings. The readings tonight tell us about the last supper that Jesus shared with his apostles. It was that night that he gave them their First Holy Communion! Jesus told the apostles, his first priests, to “do this in remembrance of me”—to repeat his own words and actions and continue to receive his Body and Blood in Holy Communion as a reminder of him. It is these same words of Jesus that the priest says over the bread and wine after he asks the Holy Spirit to come and “make them holy”—to change them into the body and blood of Jesus. The apostles First Holy Communion helped to unite them with Jesus, but also with each other. Jesus made himself food, and shared his flesh at a dinner. Sharing a meal with friends brings everyone closer… even after Jesus’ crucifixion, the apostles stayed together. Holy Communion has the same effect on us today. We are united more closely to Jesus and, through the Eucharist, Jesus also unites us together in one body—the Church. As the words from a beautiful song tell us, “We are one body in Christ.” We are one big family with Jesus as the head of the family. Holy Communion strengthens us so that, like the apostles, we can serve our family well by helping all people.

Discussion: The apostles did great things for the Church and community by serving each other and others. Nourished by the Eucharist, have each family member discuss something they are doing or can do as service to others in the Church and/or community.

Focus: Talk about the Last Supper and recall it (use a picture if you have one and place it by the lighted candle). Have the child share his favorite experience of their First Communion retreat. Let this experience remind us how the Eucharist unites all together as one family, one body, in Christ.

Final Prayer: (Child offers a final prayer for the family in preparation for Saturday morning’s First Holy Communion. Each family member offers a prayer for child receiving First Holy Communion.) You can end with a Hail Mary or Our Father as a family. Amen