First Holy Communion will take place on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 10:00 am.  You were given all of the information for this special day at the parent meeting.  Please pay special attention to the due dates for each project.  A checklist was included in your folder to help you.  In addition, continue practicing the Mass responses, prayers, and the songs so your child is prepared.   Remember that taking your child to Mass is one of the most important things you can do to help them to be ready to receive Jesus for the first time.  Thank you for all that you do to make this day special.  I am so excited to share in this special time with you.

Below you will find videos of the Prayers, Songs, and Mass Responses which will be sung at First Communion. Let your child listen and sing along. This will help them be prepared for their First Communion. 

Entrance Procession

Responsorial Psalm: God is So Good

Presentation of Gifts

Entrance Hymn

Recessional Hymn

First Letter to Parents

YOUR CHILD’S FIRST HOLY COMMUNION   

Your child is preparing to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion.  We ask for your support and cooperation in helping to prepare your child for their special day.  You are your child’s best teacher about God.  By attending Mass every week, your child learns from your example and also becomes comfortable with the liturgy and its importance.  We ask that you review with your child the parts of the Mass, the responses, and the proper behavior in Church.  We kindly request that you take your child to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation as often as possible between now and First Holy Communion Day.

Our Holy Communion date is Saturday, May 3, 2025.  The Mass is at 10:00 a.m.   If your child is receiving their First Holy Communion at their parish, not Saint Matthew Parish, please send in a note stating the Parish and the date of reception to your child’s teacher.  If you are registered in another parish, not Saint Matthew, and you wish your child to receive the sacrament with their class, you must send in a letter from the pastor granting permission to do so. If your child receives this sacrament in their parish and wishes to participate in the Mass on May 4th with their classmates, please let us know.    

DRESS CODE FOR FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

Girls:  white dress, veil, white tights or knee socks, and white dress shoes

Please no gloves, nail polish, or flowers

Boys:  any color suit or sport coat and slacks, white shirt, white tie, dress shoes (No Sneakers), and no boutonnieres

If anyone is interested. we do have practically brand new suits and dresses from former students available.  Appointments are available to view these items.  Send in a note to your child’s teacher and we will make arrangements for you to come to school.  

ARRIVAL

On the day of First Communion we ask that you arrive 20 minutes before the Mass, and that you drop your child off in the lower church. Then, you are to go to the upper church and sit in the pews marked for parents and guests.  There will be no assigned seating.  For those unable to attend, Mass will be livestreamed at www.facebook.com/StMattsMayfair. 

DEPARTURE

Immediately following the ceremony, the children will remain in the pew until the children are called for a group photo on the altar.

PHOTOGRAPHY

On Saturday, May 3, 2025, Holy Communion pictures will be taken in the school auditorium before Mass from 8:30-9:30 am.  These pictures are optional.  Forms will be sent home at a later date.

In an effort to retain the beauty and solemnity of Mass, cameras and video cameras (including cell phones) may not be used during the ceremony. However, pictures may be taken as the children process into church. 

We ask that during these special months, you remember your First Holy Communion, and share these special memories with your child.  Also ask yourself, “How am I preparing my child for his/her First Holy Communion?”  

If you have any questions regarding this special sacrament, please let us know.

Thank you for your cooperation and support!

The Second Grade and PREP Teachers

Communion Folder

Dear Parents,

Your child will be receiving their First Holy Communion on May 3, 2025.   We have many wonderful things planned for that special occasion.  Included in this packet are projects for you and for your children to be completed at home, your family petition form to be filled out, and an explanation of our “Good Deeds for a Dollar”.  Each of these has a specific due date, so please be mindful and return them on time. 

In order to help cover the cost of in-school projects and Retreat Day, we ask each child to bring in $10.00. 

Here are some projects for your to-do list.

In this folder you will find a cutout of a child.  On this cutout, we ask that you please write a few sentences that tell why your child is special to your family.  There is a sample to guide you.  Please begin writing your sentences on the arms.  When finished, please cut out the figure, back it on construction paper and a stiff backing, and cut it out once again leaving about a half-inch border of construction paper around the edge.  Please glue a photo/picture of your child’s face to the cutout.  Please print your child’s name on the back of the finished project.  Please laminate at a local office supply store (Staples, Office Max, etc.).  Kindly return the cutout to school and they will be placed on the wall outside of your child’s classroom.  This will be a reminder to all who pass by to both pray for the children and to congratulate them.

Also, we ask that you help your child make a First Holy Communion Banner.  We feel that this would be a wonderful experience for you and your child to do together in preparation for this sacrament.

While we encourage creativity, please adhere to the following measurements for uniformity.  Wooden dowel should be 10 to 12 inches long.  Ribbon for hanging felt banner must be 18 inches before tying it to the dowel.  You may use any item you want to decorate the banner, but the banner must have a religious (First Holy Communion) theme.  Your child’s name must be on the banner.  You can also buy a kit for making a Communion Banner.  These are available for purchase at St. Jude Shops or online. 

On the day of First Holy Communion the banners will be hung in church.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

The Second Grade Teachers

Special Intentions

Dear Parents,

       Our First Communicants will be carrying petitions from each family to the altar at the First Holy Communion Mass.  We would like you to write your family’s intentions on the lines below and return it to school in the enclosed envelope labeled SPECIAL INTENTIONS.  These intentions may include prayers for family, community, and world.

                                                                   Thank you!

                                                                   The Second Grade Teachers

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Samples of Letters From Parents to First Holy               Communicants (Cut-Out)

Banner Samples