Dear Parents
As we approach Easter, a little over two months remain until your child(ren) will receive the sacrament of Holy Communion for the first time on Saturday, May 25th. Although you received a detailed handout for the entire year during the parents’ meeting in October, I am writing to remind you of a few important upcoming matters.
THERE WILL BE NO CLASSES ON MARCH 31st (Easter Sunday) or APRIL 7th
Banners – Due Sunday, April 14th
All children are required to make a banner out of felt or similar material. The banner must have the child’s FIRST and LAST names together with a design that represents the sacrament of Holy Communion. Colour and embellishments are up to the child. Please be certain to secure all pieces of the banner either by sewing or by using good quality fabric glue. These banners are hung in the church for the First Communion Masses in May and make a wonderful keepsake. Banners may be handed in to either your child’s teacher or directly to the CCD office. Banners will be available to be picked up after all Masses on the weekend of June 1st and 2nd. Thank you.
First Communion Attire
The mandatory dress code is as follows:
GIRLS:
White dress, knee length or longer. Style is optional.
Headpiece – required. (Veil, flowers, combs, headband, crowns etc)
Shoes – white leather closed shoes. No sandals and no sneakers. Be careful of heel heigh.
BOYS:
Navy or black suit.
White dress shirt (must have a collar) with long or short sleeves.
Navy blue or black tie.
Shoes – black leather dress shoes. No sports shoes, sandals, sneakers or casual shoes.
Memory Book and Certificates
Children will receive certificates for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion as well as a Memory Book. The name used on all of these documents will be your child’s name as it appears on his/her baptismal certificate. IF YOU HAVE NOT YET PROVIDED A COPY OF YOUR CHILD’S BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE, PLEASE DO SO IMMEDIATELY. WE ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE THESE DOCUMENTS TO THE DIOCESE. IF WE DO NOT HAVE PROOF OF BAPTISM, WE CANNOT PERMIT YOUR CHILD TO RECEIVE THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION.
please provide us with the full name that you plan to use on your child’s baptismal certificate. Please send this information to us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
REHEARSALS FOR FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
If your child attends classes at 8:45am and is in either Emma Sherry’s class or Hannah Kraebel’s class, (Group One), their rehearsal will be on Wednesday May, 22nd at 4:30pm and their First Holy Communion Mass will be at 11:30am on Saturday, May 25th. Children to be in the Parish Hall by 10:45am.
If your child attends classes at 10am and is in either Catherine deClerk’s class or is an older child who has received instruction from Nini Forino, (Group Two), their rehearsal will be on Thursday, May 23rd at 4:30pm and their First Holy Communion Mass will be at 3pm on Saturday, May 25th. Children to be in the Parish Hall by 2:15pm.
The rehearsals are mandatory and you and your child MUST attend the rehearsal for his or her group. NO HELPERS MAY ATTEND INSTEAD OF A PARENT. If your child and one parent do not attend this important preparation for the reception of the sacrament, your child will NOT be able to join his or her class on May 25th and will have to receive the sacrament for the first time on some other occasion. PLEASE BE ON TIME! WE CANNOT START THE REHEARSAL UNTIL EVERYONE IS PRESENT. PLEASE BE COURTEOUS TO THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE CLASS AND THEIR PARENTS. And please remember, NO EATING OR DRINKING in the church!
May Crowning – Sunday, May 26th at the 11:15 am Mass
The day after the children receive Holy Communion for the first time, they are invited to return to Sunday Mass at 11:15am wearing their FHC attire and to participate in the Crowning of Mary. One child is chosen to place the crown on the head of the statue of Mary placed on the altar and the other children join in the procession, carrying flowers. Please encourage your children to participate is this lovely custom.
Should you have any questions or require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at 9764-0400.
Warm regards,
Pat Quong
For the CCD Team