First Penance/First Holy Communion

FIRST COMMUNION 2025 SCHEDULE:

• Morning Session    -  May 3, 2025 (Sat.) 10:45am in the Church
• Afternoon Session -  May 3, 2025 (Sat.)   1:45pm in the Church

• Morning Session   - April 26, 2025 (Sat.)  in Church - Time 11AM - 1:00PM (only practice)
• Afternoon Session -April 26, 2025 (Sat.) in Church - Time 1:30PM - 3:30PM (only practice)

During the final weeks prior to First Holy Communion, we will provide preliminary instruction on how to receive. 

What do we believe regarding the Holy Eucharist? 
The word Eucharist means thanksgiving. As Catholics, we firmly believe that in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist we receive the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord, Jesus Christ. Jesus gave us this precious Sacrament when he instituted the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper.  Just as our bodies need physical nourishment, so too does our spiritual self, our soul require spiritual nourishment in order to get to heaven.



How do I properly receive the sacrament? 
I would like to provide you with two YouTube videos to help teach your child how to receive the Holy Eucharist on the hand and/ or on the tongue. On the day of First Holy Communion, they will need to know how they will receive.
 
ACTION FOR PARENTS:
As parents of a First Holy Communicant, I would ask that you teach them first of all the proper method to receive. Make sure they have chosen the way they would like to receive before they go to First Holy Communion practice.

Preliminary requirements for those who wish to receive:
1. You must be in a state of grace to receive worthily. Having a mortal sin and refusing or preferring not to avail oneself of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance) when in a state of mortal sin is a grave matter with grave consequences.
2. Prior to receiving, and to prepare your body and soul to receive, you must fast for 1 hour from food. (You are allowed to drink water or take medicine)
 
Receiving Holy Communion in the Hand:
Step 1: Bow, or genuflect, or bless yourself profoundly before receiving.
Step 2: (Based on your dominant hand, example, Right-handed) Make a throne with the Left Hand and place your Right Hand under the left hand.
Step 3: When you approach the priest, deacon or Extra-Ordinary Minister of Holy Communion, bring your hands forward so the Priest, Deacon...can reach you.
Step 4: With your dominant hand (example: Right hand) using the pointer and thumb, carefully pick up the precious host and place it on your tongue. 
Step 5: The priest will say: "The Body of Christ"
Step 6: You will say: "Amen."
Step 7: Once you are back in your pew, kneel down and meditate on what you have received. Spend some quiet time talking to and listening to Jesus. Thank Him for what He has done for you. Praise Him for who He is. You may want to conclude with the Anima Christi (see the back of your booklet)
Here is a video on Holy Communion etiquette that will teach you some of the history and theology. It is from a Catholic Church in Scotland.
 
Receiving Holy Communion on the tongue:
Step 1: Bow, genuflect, or bless yourself before receiving.
Step 2: Approach the priest with your hands folded in prayer.
Step 3: The priest will say: "The Body of Christ."
Step 4: You will say: "Amen."
Step 5: Tilt your head back, stick out your tongue and close your eyes.
Step 6: Once you feel Jesus in the Eucharist is placed on your tongue, retract your tongue and consume the host.
Step 7: Once you are back in your pew, kneel down and meditate on what you have received. Spend some quiet time talking to and listening to Jesus. Thank Him for what He has done for you. Praise Him for who He is. You may want to conclude with the Anima Christi (see the back of your booklet)
 Here is a video to show you "How to receive Holy Communion on the tongue"
 
How many guests may I bring to the First Holy Communion Mass?
Each First Communion candidate will receive X9X guest tickets and 1 ticket for the First Holy Communicant. Remember that the Church is a boat or an airplane. When all the seats are full, there is no more room to add more. NOTE: We are NOT permitted to add extra seats in the Church.

If I have little children that can sit on my lap during the Mass, can I bring them and not count them as a person? They are still a person, however, if you can have them sit in your lap, then you will not have to use a ticket for them.

What time do I and my guests need to be seated in the Church?
Everyone MUST be seated in the Church by no later than 15 minutes before the start of Mass. Adults and their families and guests will need to be seated by 10:30 AM for the Morning session and 1:30PM for the afternoon session.  If you arrive later, the ushers will be instructed to ask you to wait until all of the Communicants finish processing into the Church.
 
Where and when do I drop off my Communicant for First Holy Communion?
For the morning session, drop your child off at 9:45 AM (1 hour before Mass begins) in the gym (School Auditorium) using Door # 13. We will line up and then process into the Church.
  
For the afternoon session, drop your child off at 12:45 PM  (1 hour before Mass begins) in the gym (School Auditorium) using Door # 13. We will line up and then process into the Church. 
 
Photos and Videos:
RDPlex will be Live-Streaming the Mass on YouTube. They will also be taking photos during the Mass. The link will be published to our website as soon as we know it. We will email you the link as soon as we know it. YOU MAY NOT TAKE PHOTOS DURING THE MASS by stepping into the aisle or by stepping onto the Altar or in or near the sanctuary. That would be a sacrilege against Our Lord. During the Mass, you may take photos as your child is processing down the aisle, but only while seated in your pew.
 
Last Chance to Receive the Sacrament of Penance:
This Saturday and Sunday would be the last opportunity for you and/ or your child to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation or Penance. You may go at 3:45 PM on any Saturday, except during Holy Week. You may only receive the Holy Eucharist if you are in a state of grace.
 
What to wear for First Holy Communicants:
The children will be wearing their First Holy Communion outfits for the Mass as follows:

Girls: White First Holy Communion dresses and dress shoes, veils optional.
Boys: A white, gray, blue or dark suit with white shirt, or solid-colored shirt with jacket and tie and dark dress shoes.
PLEASE NO SNEAKERS, including Converse, HI-TOPS, Clogs, Slippers, etc.


QUESTIONS:
 If you have any other questions after reading this message in its entirety, please feel free to send me an email and I will address it in the order it is received.
 
In the Holy Name of Jesus, I pray.
 
Rev. Mr. Harry P. De Freitas - Parish Catechetical Leader (Deacon Harry)
 Saint Ambrose - Parish School of Religion (PSR)
 81 Throckmorton Lane
 Old Bridge, NJ 08857
 732-679-5580(ofc)
[email protected]
 Website: https://www.saintambroseparish.com/psr