St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Dubai Parents –Catechists’ Meeting

SPE -2A/2AA/2BA/2AS/2BS

SPE-3A/3AA/3AS

3rd/4th November 2017

OPENING PRAYER

Heavenly Father, we thank You for

bringing us together as one

family. Send us Your Holy Spirit

and make this gathering be a

venue for us, Catechists and

Parents, to be in communion with

each other, in bringing our

children closer to You.

OPENING PRAYER contd……

Strengthen our faith, help us

radiate Jesus in our everyday

life and be an example to others,

especially to our little ones.

May we not forget to be like

Jesus, servant and always

submissive to your will.

OPENING PRAYER contd……

Open our minds and our hearts, to

hear You speaking to us, guiding us

in this important gathering,

especially called for the benefit of

the children, whom You entrusted to

our care.

OPENING PRAYER contd……

Father, we lift up to You this hour and with you grace, make it fruitful… we truly believe Lord when you say: “For where two or three are gathered in my Name, I am there among them”.

This we pray in Jesus Name:

AMEN

We are very glad you are here!

PROGRAMME FOR TODAY

• OPENING PRAYER

• WELCOME MESSAGE- SR. RACHELE

• MESSAGE – FR. LENNIE

• PRESENTATION

• CLOSING PRAYER

• CATECHIST - PARENTS’

INTERACTION

Welcome Message

by:

Sister Rachele CCD Director

Message

by:

Rev. Fr. Lennie Connully, OFM Cap Parish Priest

PREPARATION FOR THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

AND FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

We are happy to be with you in this

important time of your family’s life

with Jesus Christ and His Church. The

preparation for First Holy Communion

mark another important step in your

child’s formation in the Catholic faith.

This preparation is not just for his/her

“first” Communion but it is a lifetime

search for God.

Purpose of the Meeting

• Overview of the Catechism program

• Text Book and Syllabus

• Important Dates

• Shared responsibility as Partners: Parent-Catechist

• Suggestions / Recommendations

CATECHISM PROGRAMME

CHILDREN

GRADE 1 TO 6 and SPECIAL CLASSSES– WE BELIEVE

GRADE 7 AND 8 – CONFIRMATION JOURNEY

YOUTH

GRADE 9 TO 12 – LIFE TEEN

ADULTS

RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults

Preparation for Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist

SESSIONS: THREE SESSIONS (Catechism and Holy Mass)

• FRIDAY MORNING from 8:45am to 11:15am

• FRIDAY AFTERNOON from 2:00pm to 4:30pm

• SATURDAY from10:40am to 1:00pm

Catechetical Programme

Please note that the Catechism Mass is an integral part of the Catechism programme and children must attend this Mass. On days when there is no Catechism, please accompany your children for Holy Mass on the days of Obligation (Friday/Saturday/Sunday).

LOCATION FOR ASSEMBLY ON FRIDAY MORNING:

• Girls Compound and Junior Block : Grades 3 to 6 and Special Classes

ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON:

Children of all Grades are directed to their classrooms.

CCD Members are requested to arrive early to direct the children.

ON SATURDAY:

• Grade 3 to 12 and Special Classes – are directed to their classrooms

CCD Members are requested to arrive early to direct the children

DISPERSAL AND CHILDREN’S COLLECTION FRIDAY MORNING

GRADES 4 TO 12 AND SPE-2A; SPE-3A –

CHILDREN MEET PARENTS ON THEIR OWN AFTER MASS AT 11:15 PM

DISPERSAL AND CHILDREN’S COLLECTION

FRIDAY AFTERNOON

GRADES 1 TO 3 AND SPE-1AA, SPE-1BA, SPE-2AA, SPE-2BA - BASKETBALL COURT AFTER MASS AT 4:30 PM

(PARENTS TO COLLECT THE CHILDREN)

GRADES 4 TO 12 AND SPE-3AA –

CHILDREN MEET PARENTS ON THEIR OWN AFTER MASS AT 4:30 PM

DISPERSAL AND CHILDREN’S COLLECTION

SATURDAY

GRADES 1 TO 3 AND SPE-1AS, SPE-2AS, SPE-2BS - BASKETBALL COURT AFTER MASS/CATECHISM AT 1:00 PM

(PARENTS TO COLLECT THE CHILDREN)

GRADES 4 TO 11 AND SPE-3AS

CHIDLREN MEET PARENTS ON THEIR OWN AFTER MASS AT 1:00 PM

SPE-2A/2AA/2BA/2AS/2BS We Believe: WE ARE THE CHURCH (BOOK 3)

• UNIT 1 : JESUS GIVES US

THE CHURCH

• UNIT 2 : WE ARE MEMBERS

OF THE CHURCH

• UNIT 3 : THE CHURCH

TEACHES US TO WORSHIP

• UNIT 4 : WE ARE CALLED

TO DISCIPLESHIP

TOTAL OF 28 LESSONS,

7 LESSONS IN EACH UNIT

SPE-3A/3AA/3AS We Believe: WE MEET JESUS IN THE

SACRAMENTS (BOOK 5)

• UNIT 1 : JESUS CHRIST SHARES HIS LIFE WITH US

• UNIT 2 : CONFIRMATION AND EUCHARIST COMPLETE OUR INITIATION

• UNIT 3 : THE SACRAMENT OF HEALING RESTORE US

• UNIT 4 : WE LOVE AND SERVE AS JESUS DID

TOTAL OF 28 LESSONS,

7 LESSONS IN EACH UNIT

Engaging

Catechetical Process

25

Engaging

Catechetical Process

26

Engaging

Catechetical Process

27

Sharing faith with my family Parental involvement

This is where YOU as parents can participate and play an active part in your child’s faith formation.

SPE-2A/2AA/2BA/2AS/2BS SPE-3A/3AA/3AS

First Communion Guide

Important Prayers & Devotions Parental involvement

Daily Personal and Family Prayers

Prayers at Confession and Communion

The Holy Rosary

Stations of the Cross

Daily Reading of Scriptures

GUIDE FOR PARENTS FOR THE SACRAMENT OF FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

Parents are the number

ONE influence on the

child’s faith. Nurturing that

faith at home and in the

parish are vitally important.

A baptized child must receive

preparation for the Sacrament

of Reconciliation (Penance)

and have the opportunity to

receive it before First Holy

Communion.

The goal of the preparation

period for the Sacrament of

Reconciliation is to:

1. Nurture a child’s

relationship to Jesus Christ

as the one who loves us and

showers God’s mercy upon

us

goal of the preparation…

2. Nurture an appreciation

of the Sacrament of

Reconciliation

as a way to experience

God’s mercy and

forgiveness

goal of the preparation…

3. Nurture the practice of

forgiveness and

reconciliation as a way of

living.

How do I know if my child

is prepared to celebrate

the Sacrament of

Reconciliation?

My child knows when he or she

has done something wrong.

My child shows sorrow for

wrongdoing and seeks

forgiveness.

My child is beginning to

acknowledge the consequences of

his or her actions.

My child knows that God loves

each of us and forgives us when

we sin, when we are sorry

What is the most important

thing I can do to help prepare

my child to celebrate the

Sacrament of Reconciliation?

Every time we teach a child to

understand the difference

between right and wrong, we

are helping to form his or her

moral conscience.

Every time we explain the

difference between loving

and unloving actions, we

are preparing our children

to choose that which is

good.

Each time we forgive or ask

forgiveness of others, we

help our children to trust

God’s mercy and

forgiveness.

Preparation for First

Holy Communion…

…a NEW

CHAPTER

in a

child’s

faith life

as

Catholic.

This preparation time for First

Communion helps our

children to learn how to

participate fully in the

worship life of the faith

community/our parish by

receiving Jesus in the

Eucharist.

It will enhance the

children’s appreciation

and active participation in

the Mass

They will develop the

sense of belonging to a

community of disciples

who love as Jesus loves.

How do I know if my child

is prepared to celebrate

the Sacrament of Holy

Communion/Eucharist?

Consider the following

guidelines

The child desires to

receive the Eucharist

The child is developing a

close relationship with

Jesus Christ and with the

Church.

The child shows respect,

adoration to Jesus present

in the tabernacle.

The child knows prayers, the

parts of the Mass, has proper

behavior in the Church

especially during the Mass and

knows why is the Mass

important to our life.

The child understands the “real

presence” – that the Bread of the

Eucharist is not ordinary bread,

but JESUS coming to us in a

special way

IMPORTANT DATES

TO REMEMBER AND NOTE

IN YOUR CALENDAR

SPE-2A/2AA/2BA/2AS/2BS FIRST RETREAT WITH SACRAMENT OF

RECONCILIATION SATURDAY, 11th Nov., 2017

MINI HALL- 8:30 AM TO 12:30 PM

ALL CLASSES: FRIDAY MORNING, FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND

SATURDAY

SPE-3A/3AA/3AS FIRST RETREAT WITH SACRAMENT OF

RECONCILIATION SATURDAY, 20th January, 2018

MAIN HALL- 8:30 AM TO 12:30 PM

ALL CLASSES: FRIDAY MORNING, FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND

SATURDAY

SPE-2A/2AA/2BA/2AS/2BS SPE-3A/3AA/3AS

SECOND RETREAT WITH SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

SATURDAY, 28th April, 2018 MAIN HALL- 8:30 AM TO 12:30 PM

ALL CLASSES: FRIDAY MORNING,

FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND SATURDAY

First Holy Communion Rehearsal and Mass Dates Third Batch: SPE-2A/2AA/2BA/2AS/2BS/ SPE-3A/3AA/3AS

Rehearsal: Thursday 3rd May 2018 2:30pm to 6:00pm - Main Hall/Church FHC Mass : Saturday, 12th May 2018 8:30 am to 1:00 pm - Main

Hall/Church

FHC CIRCULAR

SURVEY WAS

GIVEN TO

YOUR CHILD on

27/28th

OCTOBER. IT

IS IMPORTANT

THAT YOU GET

THIS.

PLEASE FILL UP THIS PORTION AND RETURN

TO THE CATECHIST OF YOUR CHILD ON OR

BEFORE 10th NOVEMBER 2017.

IT IS COMPULSORY TO RETURN THIS PART

EVEN IF YOUR CHILD WILL NOT RECEIVE

FHC IN DUBAI OR NEXT YEAR.

THIS PART IS FOR YOU TO KEEP,

STICK IT WHERE YOU CAN SEE TO

REMIND YOU OF THE IMPORTANT

DATES FOR YOUR CHILD’S FHC

PREPARATION

OTHER DATES TO REMEMBER NO CATECHISM

December 1 & 2, 2017 NATIONAL DAY

DECEMBER 22, 2017 TO JANUARY 4, 2018 CHRISTMAS BREAK

JANUARY 18 AND 19, 2018 PARISH FEST AND CHILDREN’S HAPPY HOUR

FEBRUARY 2 AND 3, 2018 CHRISTIAN FORMATION CONFERENCE

MARCH 30 AND 31, 2018 GOOD FRIDAY AND HOLY SATURDAY

CHILDREN’S LIBRARY

The Children’s Library has more than

7,000 books that caters to all age groups

of children. We request you to

encourage your child to read by joining

the Library; to read the lives of saints and

other resource materials that will help

them know more about our Faith. Yearly

membership fee is Dhs 10 that entitles

the children to borrow book(s).

CCD OFFICE TIMINGS

During Catechetical Year

Saturday to Wednesday - 8 am to 3 pm

Thursday - 1 pm to 8 pm

Friday - 8 am to 7:00 pm

Tuesday – the CCD Office is closed

Contact No. : 04-3352972

Email: catholic@eim.ae

The Team Overall In-charge

Rev. Fr. Lennie - Parish Priest &

Spiritual Director

Sr. Rachele - Catechism Director

CCD Team:

Sr. Josephine - CCD Office

Janet Joseph - CCD Coordinator

Lucy Palma - CCD Office

Veronica Ho - CCD Representative to

Parish Council

Sylvia Bataller - CORE Team Member

Rocky Patel - CORE Team Member

SPE – FRIDAY MORNING

Fatima Rodrigues Catechist SPE-1A

Abbie Clarice Caranto Catechist Support SPE-1A

Mary Lobo Catechist SPE-1B

Marites Mangubat Catechist SPE-1B

Lourdes D'Souza Catechist SPE-2A

Loraine Gwen Campos Catechist Trainee SPE-2A

Bernadette Pereira Catechist SPE-3A

Annie Fernandez Catechist SPE-3A

Mildred Fabian Catechist Trainee SPE-3A

Rushelle M. Matibag Catechist SPE-COORDINATOR

SPE – FRIDAY AFTERNOON

Maria Brenda Afonso Catechist SPE-1AA

Myra Carandang Mangubat Catechist Support SPE-1AA

Wendy D'Cunha Catechist SPE-1BA

Cecily Thomas Catechist SPE-2AA

Sylvia Bataller Catechist SPE-2BA

Marife De Jesus Catechist Support SPE-2BA

Amy Ardiente Catechist SPE-3AA

Wennie Ardiente Catechist Support SPE-3AA

Rushelle M. Matibag Catechist SPE-COORDINATOR

SPE – SATURDAY

Rachel Velasco Villacampa Catechist SPE-1AS

Charlotte D'souza Catechist Support SPE-1AS

Sareen Rodrigues Catechist SPE-2AS

Josephine Pinto Catechist Support SPE-2AS

Sr Josephine Peroni Religious Sister SPE-2BS

Rodolfo Macalalad Catechist SPE-3AS

SPE-COORDINATOR

Parish Website:

http://www.saintmarysdubai.org/

WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO PLEASE REGISTER YOUR FAMILY ONLINE. THIS IS A PROOF THAT YOU ARE PARISHIONER OF ST. MARY’S PARISH VISIT THE PARISH WEBSITE TO REGISTER. WE ALSO RECOMMEND TO REGISTER TO FORMED. THERE ARE LOTS OF CATHOLIC TEACHINGS, VIDEOS AND AUDIOS THAT YOU CAN LISTEN AND SEE FOR YOUR SPIRITUAL JOURNEY AS A FAMILY.

CLOSING PRAYER

Heavenly Father, / thank You

for this opportunity that you

had given us / to accompany

our children in their journey

of faith./ Guide us Lord, /that

we may be faithful in our

mission /of bringing your

Kingdom in this world. /

Let your light always shine upon

us / so that we will be able to see

you/ in our children and in

everyone. /

Bless our families specially our

children,/ that they may be true

Christians./ May You be the

center of our life/ and make us all

/ an instrument of Your unfailing/

and unconditional love./

Thank you Lord for the gift of

children.

This we pray in Jesus Name,

AMEN.

God Bless Everyone!!!