St. Patrick's Mentone - Newsletter

Religious Education

FIRST EUCHARIST RETREAT DAY

On Monday, the students preparing to receive their First Holy Communion took part in a special all-day retreat. The day was filled with prayer, reflection, and meaningful activities to help them understand the significance of the Eucharist and prepare their hearts to receive Jesus in a very special way.

 

 

The retreat began with a prayer and a hymn about the gifts of bread and wine. Then, students were divided into small groups and rotated through four activities, each designed to deepen their understanding of how they will soon encounter Jesus in the Sacrament of the Eucharist.

Activity 1: The Last Supper     Students participated in a reenactment of the Last Supper. This was an important part of the day, as it was during the Last Supper that Jesus celebrated the very first Mass and gave us the gift of the Eucharist. When we receive Holy Communion, we remember what Jesus did that night and believe He is truly present in the consecrated bread and wine. The Last Supper teaches us that Jesus gave Himself to us and desires to remain close to us through the Eucharist.This activity also included the Washing of the Feet, reminding us to be humble, to serve others, and to show love through our actions.

Activity 2: Jesus' Profile and Mine     In this reflective activity, students read a profile written about Jesus and were then invited to write their own personal profiles. Jesus’ profile emphasized His desire to know each student better. In response, many students expressed their wish to grow closer to Jesus through this sacred Sacrament.

 

Activities 3 & 4: Signs, Symbols, and Sacred Gestures      Using Catechesis of the Good Shepherd materials, students explored various items and gestures used during the Mass. They focused especially on three key moments:

  • The Preparation of the Chalice: As the priest pours wine into the chalice and adds a few drops of water, it symbolizes the unity of Jesus with us. The rich wine represents Jesus, and the small amount of water symbolizes us. Once combined, the water cannot be separated from the wine—just as nothing can separate us from God's love.
  • The Epiclesis: This is a special moment in the Mass when the priest stretches out his hands over the bread and wine, asking the Holy Spirit to come down and transform them into the Body and Blood of Jesus. Often, bells ring to mark this sacred moment. When students practiced this gesture in the sunlight, they noticed their hand shadows resembled a dove in flight—a beautiful image of the Holy Spirit.
  • The Offering: During this part of the Mass, the priest raises the chalice and says, “By the mystery of this water and wine, may we come to share in the divinity of Christ, who humbled Himself to share in our humanity.” This reminds us that we are not only receiving Jesus but also offering ourselves to God alongside Him.

These photos show the Montessori like resources used for a work titled The Eucharistic Presence of the Good Shepherd, which is based on Jesus’ parable of the Good Shepherd. This story helps us understand Jesus as the one who loves, leads, and cares for each of us like a shepherd with his sheep.

 

 

To conclude their day, the students created banners that will be displayed in the church. These banners serve as a reminder to the parish community to pray for and support the children as they continue their faith journey toward receiving Jesus in Holy Communion. 

This was a grace-filled day where the children truly encountered the love of Jesus in the Eucharist. Through prayer, storytelling, and creative activities, they discovered that the Eucharist is not just a symbol, but the real presence of Jesus. They listened with open hearts, asked meaningful questions, and participated with joy. Many shared how they felt peace or a special closeness to Jesus during the day. Their understanding of Holy Communion deepened, not just as a tradition, but as a personal meeting with Christ. This retreat has planted seeds of faith that will continue to grow in their hearts. 

 

As a follow up in class this week, the students have been reflecting on their experience and have each created a personal recount on their Chromebooks.

 

 

 

Kathryn Ady

Religious Education Leader