Two very exciting dates are coming up soon - when Holy Cross children will be receiving the Eucharist for the first time! April 25th at 2:00 at St. Michael Church for the children who attend Holy Cross School, and May 2nd at 2:00 at St. Michael Church for children who are attending PREP. If any families have a conflict with this date, you may participate on the alternative date; just let us know as soon as possible by calling the office at 277-2949.
Anticipating you may have questions, here's some information that you may be wondering about, or need to know!
1. Rehearsal will begin at 12:30 each Sunday, so everybody will know what to expect at Mass, where you'll be seated, etc. If you painted a blessing cup, they will be distributed to you and Father David will bless them during rehearsal. If you have any other gifts or items you'd like blessed, bring them and he'll do that then too.
2. Regarding what the children should wear: for BOYS, dress pants and a white shirt, tie/coat/suit are all optional; for GIRLS, white or off-white dress, may wear veils, bows, headbands, flowers (or nothing) in their hair. Gloves should be removed during Mass. Masks will be required for everyone.
3. These Masses will be live-streamed, so family members who can't attend can watch the big events. There will be no limitation on the number of family members, with masks, you may bring with you that day. We are planning to seat children and parents in reserved assigned spots up front in church, so other children and extended family members will sit outside the reserved area.
4. As in past years, the children will serve as lectors. If your child would like to volunteer to read at Mass, please let us know by April 8. Since we can only use 2, we may have more volunteers than readings so will be in touch regarding these assignments. We will also be doing our traditional practice of having the children take flowers to Mary during the offertory (though no gift bearers). If your child would like to take a flower to Mary, please also let us know by April 8 and we'll order the flowers. We could also use ushers at Mass, so if any aunts or uncles, or grandparents would like to help, again, let us know.
5. Finally, regarding professional photos: Father has ok'd a group photograph to be taken after Mass. Weather permitting, it will be taken outdoors. Bobier Studios will take a group picture and any individual photos you request. We'll distribute their order forms to you at rehearsal.
Please let us know if you have further questions, and we look forward to seeing you at these special upcoming events.
Have a blessed Easter!
As you know, this is an exciting time for your children, as they have just received the Sacrament of Reconciliation and are preparing for the Sacrament of Holy Communion this spring. As parents, you are their first and most important teachers and should be actively involved in preparing your children for the Sacraments.
With that in mind, your parish provides you and your child opportunities for active learning about the Sacraments, which we call “learning centers.” The centers were designed to give you a chance to spend one-on-one time with your child reviewing various aspects of the Sacrament of Holy Communion and reflecting on the theme of the Eucharist.
First Communion Learning Centers will be done virtually this year for families registered at Holy Cross Parish, children attending Holy Cross School or children involved in our Parish Religious Education Program (PREP). You will receive an e-mail on February 3rd with a link to the virtual learning centers. You can also find the virtual learning centers on our parish website:
https://holycrosssc.org/first-communion-learning-centers.
Please work through these centers with your children. A packet of additional materials was handed out at the First Reconciliation service. Included in this packet is a form that will need to be returned when the learning centers are complete. The learning centers need to be completed and form returned no later than March 19, 2021.
Your child’s First Communion will be held at St. Michael Church at 2:00 PM. We will be offering two dates so that we can practice social distancing and accommodate all family members that wish to attend. If there is a conflict, please call the parish office.
Holy Cross School Students: Sunday, April 25th
PREP Students: Sunday, May 2nd
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call us at 277-2949 (Molly at x100), or e-mail janet@holycrossSC.org.
Blessings to you!