News from Gladstone
22 August, 2023First Holy Communion
On 6th August 32 youngsters and an adult received their First Holy communion. A beautiful faith journey facilitated by teachers Lisa O’Brian, Kellie Richardson and Libby Wilson and supported by some awesome parents.
Hayley Lanzom was the co-ordinator and she was such a good organiser behind the scene. She was prepared and organised for every eventuality. This sacrament is a yearly event in the Church calendar yet every time facilitators end the journey feeling renewed and reinvigorated.
The Preparation
We prepared for First Holy Communion with two formation sessions and a workbook. The first Formation Sessions were held on the weekend 15/16th July. We learned about the Eucharist as the Body and Blood of Christ, watched a short video from Ascension Press about the Last Supper and Jesus calling himself ‘The Bread of Life’, and we looked at the Liturgy of the Eucharist that happens at Mass. We did this with Altar Works, with small versions of cruets, wine, water, altar, tabernacle, crucible, paten. We did the offering of the gifts, and the lavabo (washing of hands). We learnt about genuflecting and kneeling and how to receive the Eucharist.
The second Formations Sessions were held on weekends 29/30th July. We learnt that God is a generous God who we can trust to provide for us and he provides more than we need through the Eucharist. We watched a short video from Ascension Press about using the graces that we receive from the Eucharist and other Sacraments and we also spent time in Adoration. Then we discussed ways that we can continue to grow in faith.
We also had another practice at receiving Holy Communion (with an unconsecrated host) before the celebration.
