Do This in Memory of Me Programme

About Do This in Memory 2011-2012

For the first time in Booterstown Parish, First Communion students from Our Lady of Mercy National School, St. Mary's National School, St. Andrew's College, All Saints and Booterstown National School are involved in the Do This in Memory programme.

Do This in Memory Programme was developed to meet a need for parish-based pre-sacramental resources which would give parents, children and the parish community the opportunity to prepare for First Eucharist. Experience has shown that when provided with accessible resources and invited to take an active role, parents and those involved in parish leadership are only too willing to accept the invitation. Since its introduction, almost 40,000 children and their families annually use this programme to prepare for First Eucharist.

We have been further encouraged, inspired and affirmed by the following quote from Pope Benedict XVI in Sacramentum Caritatis:

‘In pastoral work it is always important to make Christian families part of the process of initiation. Receiving Baptism, Confirmation and First Holy Communion are key moments not only for the individuals receiving them but also for the entire family, which should be supported in its educational role by the various elements of the ecclesial community. Here I would emphasise the importance of First Holy Communion … Parish pastoral programmes should make the most of this highly significant moment’.

Dates for Do This in Memory 2011-2012

What makes this programme special is that all of the students are involved in the liturgy of the mass including readings, gifts and singing. A sacred space has been created at the side of the altar where, on each Do this in Memory Sunday, items having special meaning to students are placed their during the mass. The students bring them up when the offerings of bread and wine are brought up.

Enrolment Mass took place on November 27th at 10 AM

Do this in Memory Masses

Sunday 15th January 2012 at 10 AM

Sunday 12th February 2012 at 10 AM

Sunday 11th March 2012 at 10 AM

Saturday 21st April 2012 at 6pm

First Communion:

St. Andrew's College:  Saturday 28th April 2012 at 11 AM

Parish Schools: Saturday 26th May 2012 at 11 AM

Resources for parents and children preparing for First Communion

Within the Do This in Memory Programme there are two main resources to help parents and their families prepare at home for First Eucharist: THUMB and the Grapevine newsletters. The content of THUMB will be as follows:

THUMB is divided into four sections:

1. Enrolment Mass. Here you will find all you need to prepare for and participate in the First Sunday of Do This in Memory
2. Making sense of the Mass: Each month you are asked to look at a different part of the Mass with your child. We hope this will help you and your child to understand better why we do what we do at Mass. Your child will be able to participate better at Mass if you take the time to read and discuss each of these sections once a month.
3. The Missal or Mass Book. This part of THUMB has all the prayers that we use at Mass. When your child has the words in front of them it will help them to stay more focussed and join in more easily in the prayers of the Mass.
4. KIDSTUFF. This section of THUMB Includes activity sheets called KIDSTUFF to help the children consolidate their understanding of what they have experienced at Mass. We ask you to help your child to fill them in after each Sunday of the programme

Grapevine Newsletters

Each Sunday after the Do This in Memory Mass you will receive a copy of the Grapevine newsletter. This is a resource for you, the parent, to read with your child and contains many different ideas and suggestions for using the programme at home.

To learn more about the programme click here->

There is a parents' committee set up to coordinate the masses and we are working closely with the parish and the schools. Thanks to children's choir for their help also.

If you have any queries please let us know.

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