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MNMommy
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Will someone please point me to an big picture overview of first communion prep? Sounds silly, I know. I'm a convert who went through a less-than-informative RCIA process, and I don't feel comfortable leading dd through her first communion prep without understanding the big picture. I've read through her F&L book, and it has all the pieces but I am having difficulty putting them together into an overall understanding. If I don't understand, clearly she won't be able to either.
How do I connect Adam & Eve, Noah, angels, Jesus' miracles, etc to her first reconciliation and first communion? How do all the pieces work together?
Many, many thanks if you understand my request and even more thanks if you know how to answer.
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Jennifer
Tired mom to - 10yo dd, 7yo ds, 6yo ds, 4yo dd, 2yo ds
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Mackfam
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I highly recommend the Catholic Heritage Curricula plans. They are gentle, well laid out, beautiful and reverent! If you're unsure where to start or how to connect it all, you might consider their plans.
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Jen Mackintosh
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Wildflowers and Marbles
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JodieLyn
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It's a story.. how God creates us, loves us, saves us.. and how it worked in the Old Testament says things about how it works in the New Testament.
For example Noah is saved through the waters of the flood, as we are now saved through the waters of baptism.
Your understanding does not need to be perfect. Learn along with your daughter. If you have a question you can't answer tell her so and go and look for the answer together.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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ekbell
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God's Love Story (sold by CHC for kindergarten) while meant for young children does a very good job of putting together Adam&Eve, Noah, Angels etc together to show the how the story of God's love for us leads (among other things) to the gift of the Eucharist. It's not very expensive and might help you fit the big picture together.
Other recommendations
The New Saint Joseph First Communion Catechism for your dd and Little Catechism on the Eucharist for you. (both are also available at CHC)
I [recommend
The New Saint Joseph First Communion Catechism (or New St. Joseph's Baltimore Catechism #0 )because it explains the essentials very clearly and my dd's have enjoyed reading it. If your dd understands this book then she knows enough to be ready for First Holy Communion.
The Little Catechism on the Eucharist will give you a good grounding so that you can more confidently help your dd prepare. [if you add The Sacrament of Confirmation for Confirmation Candidates then you will have enough to make up a great deal of what may have been lacking in your RCIA]
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MNMommy
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JodieLyn wrote:
| For example Noah is saved through the waters of the flood, as we are now saved through the waters of baptism. |
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This is exactly the problem. I certainly know the story of Noah, and I reread it in dd's F&L book just now. No where did F&L obviously link Noah's flood to the waters of baptism.
I don't know enough to make that connection myself (sad, but true) and I don't know enough to know that I'm missing the connection. I feel lost without a road map of some sort.
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Jennifer
Tired mom to - 10yo dd, 7yo ds, 6yo ds, 4yo dd, 2yo ds
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MNMommy
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Mackfam wrote:
| I highly recommend the Catholic Heritage Curricula plans. They are gentle, well laid out, beautiful and reverent! If you're unsure where to start or how to connect it all, you might consider their plans. |
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Are these plans better or different than dd's Faith & Life text? I don't want to spend $40 on something that leaves me in the same place I am now. 
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Jennifer
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Mackfam
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Jennifer,
I think you will find the CHC plans refreshing. They are very well laid out and quite beautiful. Their format is very easy to read and then relate to the child. It is written in a way that I appreciated so very much and assisted my own formation greatly. Their plans are written in a way that is thoughtful and encourages such love and reverence when approaching the altar of Our Lord. The reason the cost is so high is because these are plans for an entire second grade year. Within them, you'll find a tour the continents study, memory gems, detailed second grade lesson plans, and the First Communion Preparation program.
You don't have to use these plans to properly prepare a child for First Communion, but I wanted to recommend them to you because they helped me so much when I felt much the same as you do - uncertain of my own ability to make these connections on my own. As you learn, you do begin to see the loving story of Salvation that unfolds before you. These plans speak to the heart. The catechism program you use informs the intellect. If used together, you have a lovely and solid preparation plan.
This is from their site and speaks to the First Holy Communion preparation specifically:
Catholic Heritage Curricula wrote:
This course includes seventy pages of hands-on activities to help "bring to heart" the lessons your child is learning in the catechism as preparation for receiving the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion. This six-part resource offers complete lesson plans that parallel the liturgical seasons. These activities are not intended to replace your child's catechism lessons but to develop and enrich them. Church tour, prayer charts, stories, crafts, and more. These lessons in obedience, charity, and honesty help your child to grow in virtue and prepare to receive the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion for the first time. Topics include:
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"Holy Manners" (4 weeks)
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"The Saints" (4 weeks)
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"Prayer" (6 weeks)
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"Reconciliation" (6 weeks)
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"Holy Mass" (9 weeks)
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"Preparing Our Hearts to Receive Jesus" (7 weeks)
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It's a full course. It does suggest that you continue reading through your catechism program...so you have 3 choices:
** You could continue reading through Faith and Life. I would probably set it aside for this year and choose something else. Or, another idea is just to skim ahead. There are some very good chapters in there. On the weekend, when you're working on your plans, skim the selections and if there's something that pertains to what you're studying, read it together.
** Read through the Little Catechism on the Eucharist. I think this is basic enough that if you work on these together it will help both of you in your understanding.
** Work through the St. Joseph's First Communion Catechism. This little book gets you the basics of understanding. If you spend 5-10 minutes a day working on the catechism questions your daughter will have a very good formation.
I'd also highly recommend reading through King of the Golden City normally, but that might overwhelm you. It is an absolutely stunningly beautiful allegory. If you choose not to read it this year, do consider it next year or in 4th grade. I read through it with my First Communicants, and then we read it again in the 4th grade because it is just so beautiful! I think it might connect a few more dots for you. If you look into it, know that there is a study guide (available for free download) that is very helpful in assisting the parent in understanding the allegorical points of the story). You wouldn't be just left on your own to figure them out.
I know it is disheartening to feel ill-prepared after an RCIA program. I was in the same boat 14 years ago! I was so concerned I'd *miss* something important - our faith is so rich and full. Instead, the opposite happened...I learned right alongside my children. My eyes were just as yearning as theirs to understand and know and it made their journeys all that more memorable for both myself and my children.
If you'll accept one other suggestion, my learning curve was assisted so much by Scott Hahn. In particular for you since you're asking about all the connections - those between the Old and the New Testament - I'd recommend Our Father's Plan. It's hard to narrow down recommendations to just one, but I think if you watch this you'll be tremendously blessed in terms of beginning to *see* what you're missing in the big picture. I know that watching Dr. Hahn's videos marked A-HA moments for me that were pivotal. You can't go wrong with any of Dr. Scott Hahn's offerings.
I hope this helps some! 
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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ekbell
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If you do want to continue using F&L this site contains scope and sequence downloads which will give you an overview for the year. Faith and Life downloads
Looking at the overview for grade two
the first term (chapters 1-16) is intended to be an overview of salvation history.
The second term (chapters 17-24) is intended to be apreparation for First Reconcilation (confession).
The third term (chapters 25-34) is intended to be preparation for first communion and life in the Church.
Printing out and browsing the Detailed Curriculum outlines (about halfway down the page) will allow you to know what your child will be expected to learn from each chapter.
If after browsing through the downloads for grade two, you are still confused about teaching from F&L but still want to use the book, then you may want to consider buying the teacher's manual which will provide more information.
Jesus Our Life-Teacher's Manual
My only warning about the teacher's manual is that it is for the classroom so not all the suggested activities will be applicable. It will provide suggestions of readings that the teacher can do to prepare which may be very useful to you. (mostly from the CCC)
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Sharyn
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I found this post helpful http://4real.thenetsmith.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=30286&PN=3
I have been getting idea's from here
I wasn't raised in any faith. I have been feeling lost at times too. Making a notebook has given us a something to form our First Holy Communion prep around.
I have found this site useful to give me idea's on what the pages of the notebook could look like
What I have been doing too is praying that God puts all my children need to know into my hands, that I may use these things well, and trusting that our Priest will judge when our children are ready. (I am preparing two children for their FHC at the moment)
What we have been doing each day is we memorise our catechism questions. We go through what they will do for confession. I try to find something to read that goes with the different things listed in the above notebook outline and they then notebook a page. Then we read a little of one of the books and stories listed.
I couldn't make the connection between Noah's Ark and baptism either; I'm glad I read this post.
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JodieLyn
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I wish I could remember where I read that.. I've been trying to think.. I know I got a lot out of Mark Shea's "Making Senses Out of Scripture". But it's not about First Communion in particular.. but it connected a lot of dots for me.
I tend to research things to death when I'm interested in them  so by the time I started RCIA I wasn't learning anything new in it.. and at times wondered if I didn't know more than some of the teachers. 
But that means I've read a number of books and trying to track down which gave which information is difficult.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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Stacy Y
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Hi Jennifer, I'm in the same boat as you are, I just came through a very watered down RCIA program too. I bought the CHC lesson plans because I had heard so many great things about them, even though we use Seton. I wouldn't say they are worth $40, but I'd still buy them again because I know 6 (or more...if we are blessed in the future) children will be able to use them. CHC suggests using F&L on Mon and Tues, and their hands on activities Thurs &Fri ....& also on these days we'll be doing notebooking page ideas that I have gotten from 4real. The activities in the lesson plans are really, really good, and I'm excited to use it. There just aren't really any other resources out there with hands on activities like these. They also have a lot of suggestions on pages to read from an adult book, The Faith Explained, to help you prepare yourself before you teach the lesson.
Since we do school 5 days a week, we will also use Moira Farrel's Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Albums from Our Father's House one day a week. These also are amazing. They do make a lot of the connections that we didn't learn in RCIA, and also pose a lot of thought provoking questions that lead to a deeper understanding of everything, beyond just memorized catechism questions (which is also very important, I know!)
It is a bit of an intesive and expensive to put together program, but everything is reusable for future kids. Also, my parish charges $300/year for the mandantory 2 yr program (yes, total of $600!! After my terrible RCIA program, I told my husband, $600 for what?) so I feel like I'm getting a deal. I don't want my daughter to grow up and ever feel as inadequate as I do right now!
I'm just starting, so I can't speak from any experience... please keep that in mind. Blessings to you! Stacy
Mom to Cammi (2/03) Will (9/04) John (8/06) Charlie (8/07) Anna (2/09) and Baby due 4/10.
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Maggie
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Mackfam wrote:
If you'll accept one other suggestion, my learning curve was assisted so much by Scott Hahn. In particular for you since you're asking about all the connections - those between the Old and the New Testament - I'd recommend Our Father's Plan. It's hard to narrow down recommendations to just one, but I think if you watch this you'll be tremendously blessed in terms of beginning to *see* what you're missing in the big picture. I know that watching Dr. Hahn's videos marked A-HA moments for me that were pivotal. You can't go wrong with any of Dr. Scott Hahn's offerings.
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I completely agree with this. I had my "reversion" about 7 years ago...and I could not get enough Scott Hahn. I would start with his first book "Rome Sweet Home"...and then go to "The Lamb's Supper". He has so many biblical links in there...it really blows your mind away to see how the New and Old are completely woven together to make the fabric of our faith!
God Bless...and enjoy this journey!
Maggie
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MNMommy
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Thank you all for the continued feedback. Yesterday I ordered the CHC plans, Little Catechism on the Eucharist, and St. Joseph's First Communion Catechism.
I already bought (but have not used) the mini mass kit and Moira Farrell's Home Catechesis manual.
I hope these gems will help me have enough confidence to at least start her prep. I think she would love making a FHC notebook, so I hope to have it together enough to do that with her too.
Thanks, again, for helping. I might be back for further direction. 
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Jennifer
Tired mom to - 10yo dd, 7yo ds, 6yo ds, 4yo dd, 2yo ds
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MNMommy
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Sharyn wrote:
I wasn't raised in any faith. I have been feeling lost at times too.
I couldn't make the connection between Noah's Ark and baptism either; I'm glad I read this post.
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I'm glad I read your post. I've lurked here forever, but I haven't wanted to post. I also wasn't raised in any faith, and I am very overwhelmed trying to lead our family spiritually. Dh would rather be led than lead in this area, so while he does completely support me, he doesn't help. I usually leave this board feeling very embarrassed (and that's without posting anything!). The depth of knowledge and passion in the ladies on this board is almost overwhelming for me.
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Jennifer
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Marcia
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The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a great place to let the child develop a deep relationship with God on their own.
For First communion (in CGS) the focus in on the True Vine. It encourages the child to find themselves already attached to the vine through their baptism. It is in that living as part of the Body of Christ that they want to keep that sap (grace) flowing from the vine to the branches. In doing so they realize that they need to remove anything that might be blocking that flow. That can only be done through confession. And in receiving confession, the response is deeper communion with God through the Eucharist.
I personally find that those "sacramental" years to not apply to our household. We need to keep learning the fundatmentals of our faith every year...even when a new sacrament isn't the focus.
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Marcia
Mom to six and wife to one
Homeschooling 10th, 7th, 5th, 2nd, PreK and a toddler in tow.
I wonder why
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Topic: Lead me......first communion prep
