September, 2020
Welcome to sacramental preparation for First Holy Communion! Our approach to faith formation at Apple Valley Catholic Community (AVCC) will continue this year with our traditions of:
In order to keep everyone safe, we will be using a remote learning model. Here are some program highlights:
Schedule. In order to foster a faith community where everyone gets to know each other, we will begin our year together with six consecutive weeks of Zoom mini-lessons to prepare for the Sacrament of First Reconciliation. We will then take a schedule break for the Thanksgiving Holiday. The second half of the year will be spent preparing for First Communion and will follow a similar schedule. Here are our important start-up dates:
Faith Lessons at Home. Since parents are the primary models and teachers of faith for their children, you will work together with your child on the Go-Seek-Find home lessons each week.
Zoom Mini Lessons. Your child, together with at least one parent (siblings are always welcome too!), will gather together on Sunday mornings for our 30-minute, small group mini-lessons lead by Joan Mattila, our program director. Our mini-lessons will use engaging and fun small group activities to facilitate conversation about how the key points of the faith lesson relate to everyday life.
Safety Guidelines. Mini lessons will utilize our secured parish Zoom account managed by Joan Mattila, our program director. Our break-out groups will be facilitated by a CORI’d and Protecting God’s Children (PGC) adult volunteer. Please let Joan know if you are interested in helping to help lead our small group discussions.
Our First Communion curriculum is from St. Mary’s Press, and it’s called “Go Seek Find”. Your child will receive a complete Catholic Children’s Bible along with two Folders with their activity booklets, one for First Reconciliation and one for First Eucharist. There are wonderful parent and family resources to support your faith journey on the publisher’s website: https://www.smp.org/series/87/Go-Seek-Find-Discover-Gods-Treasures/
Next Steps. Here are some important next steps (if you haven’t done so already):
Questions? Please contact our program director, Joan Mattila by email at: joan@applevalleycatholic.org or by phone at her home office: 617-645-5489.
I look forward to our journey in faith together, and to support your children as they prepare to receive the Sacrament of First Holy Communion!