~~~ Concluding Rite ~~~

Marian Procession A number of children will now bring some flowers to Our Ladys Shrine while a Marian hymn is sung and the Hail Mary is then recited. Concluding Prayer Priest: Loving God, each day we see signs of your love and goodness all around us. Bless these children who have shared in the Bread of Life today. May they know your love and protection. May they learn from the love and life of Jesus, your son. We ask this through Christ our Lord. All: Amen.

~~~ First Communicants ~~~

Presentation Of Certificates Each child is individually presented with a First Holy Communion Certificate as a remembrance of this special day. Final Blessing Priest: All: Priest: All: Priest: All: The Lord be with you. And also with you. May almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Recessional Hymn

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~~~ Introductory Rites ~~~

Entrance Hymn Priest: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. All: Amen. Priest: Children, you are very welcome, this is your day, you are ready now to make your First Holy Communion and we are all very glad. Parents, you are very welcome also. Seven years ago when your child was baptised you were given a lighted candle and entrusted with the responsibility of keeping the light of Faith alive in your childs life. Over the years you have kept that flame burning. Indeed, the good work you have been doing is bearing fruit in a beautiful and wonderful way here today. Teachers, you are especially welcome. From your rich storehouse of faith and knowledge you have been supporting the parents in the task of maturing your childrens faith. You are blessed for it. To all the childrens parents and relatives, I extend a very warm welcome. The people of God assemble in joy today to celebrate the childrens First Holy Communion. So. Girls and boys, as we gather today let us close our eyes and remember our time together as we prepared for this day:

Agnus Dei Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world, grant us peace. Priest: This is the Bread of Life. It is the lamb of God. Come and receive Him in your first Holy Communion. Happy are those who are called to his Supper. Lord I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed. Lord Jesus, come to me. Lord Jesus, give me your love. Lord Jesus, come to me and give me yourself. Lord Jesus, friend of children, come to me. Lord Jesus, you are my Lord and my God. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

All:

Prayer Before Communion Primary 4:

During communion a number of hymns will be sung. Prayer After Communion Lord Jesus I love and adore you. You are a special friend to me. Welcome, Lord Jesus, O Welcome. Thank you for coming to me. Thank you, Lord Jesus, O thank you, For giving yourself to me. Make me strong to show your love Wherever I may be. Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask you to stay close by me forever and love me, I pray. Bless all the children in your loving care and bring us to heaven to live with you there. Im ready now, Lord Jesus, to show how much I care. Im ready now to give your love at home and everywhere. Amen.

We remember the year we have spent together. (Pause) We remember all that we have learned. (pause) We remember the stories we have heard about Jesus. (Pause)

We give God thanks for the gift of life in ourselves and the gift of life that we share with others. We give God thanks for all those who love us and who help us to grow and to learn. We give thanks especially for Jesus who showed us how much God loves us and all people.

Communion Rite The children now gather around the Altar. Priest: All: Jesus taught us all to call God our Father, so we have the courage to say. Our Father, who art in heaven Hallowed be thy name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, And forgive us our trespasses As we forgive those who trespass against us, And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil.

Penitential Rite The priest invites the children to close their eyes and reflect on the times that they did not live their lives as Jesus did. Priest: Jesus asks us to show love sometimes we dont show love. So let us ask God to forgive us when we were slow to do what were asked. All: I confess to almighty God, and to you my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned through my own fault in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do; and I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin, and all the angels and saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God. May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen

Priest: Deliver us, Lord, from every evil and grant us peace in our day. In your mercy keep us free from sin and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our saviour, Jesus Christ. All: Priest: For the Kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen. Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles: I leave you peace, my peace I give you. Look not on our sins but on the faith of your church, and grant us the peace and unity of your Kingdom where you live forever and ever. Amen The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you. Let us offer each other the sign of peace.

Priest:

All: Kyrie Priest: Priest: Priest: Opening Prayer Priest:

All: Priest: All: Priest:

Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy.

All: All: All:

Lord have mercy Christ have mercy Lord have mercy

Let us pray, (for the First Communicants) Lord our Father, you are indeed our Father. You watch over us with gentle care. We who are your people, today joyfully present these boys and girls for their First Holy Communion. We pray that in the years ahead they may often return to be nourished and fed at the Lords table. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord.

The children turn to offer the sign of peace to those on either side of them. The Breaking of Bread Priest: May this mingling of the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ bring eternal life to us who receive it.

All:

Amen.

~~~ Liturgy of the Word ~~~

First Reading A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

Then he said to them: DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME. God our Father, we remember with joy all that Jesus did to save us. In this holy sacrifice which he gave as a gift to his church, we remember his death and resurrection. Father in heaven accept us together with your beloved Son. He willingly died for us, but you raised him to life again. We thank you and say: All: GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST

he followers of Jesus spent their time learning from the apostles, and they were like family to each other. They also broke bread and prayed together.

Everyone was amazed at the many miracles and wonders that the apostles worked. All the Lords followers often met together, and they shared everything they had. They would sell their property and possessions and give the money to whoever needed it. Day after day they met together in the temple. They broke bread together in different homes and shared their food happily and freely, while praising God. Everyone liked them, and each day the Lord added to their group others who were being saved. The Word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God. Lord let your face shine upon us.

Jesus now lives with you in glory, but he is also here on earth, among us. We thank you and say: All: GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST

One day he will come again in glory and in his kingdom there will be no more sadness. We thank you and say: All: GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST

Responsorial Psalm Second Reading

Father in heaven, you have called us to receive the body and blood of Christ at this table and to be filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit. Through this sacred meal give us the strength to please you more and more. Lord, our God, remember John Paul our Pope; Patrick, our Bishop, and all other Bishops. Help all who follow Jesus to work for peace and to bring happiness to others. Bring us all together, at last, with Mary, the Mother of God, and all the saints, to live with you and to be one with Christ in Heaven. Doxology Priest: Through Him, with Him, in Him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honour is Yours, Almighty Father, for ever and ever. Amen alleluia, forever and ever Forever alleluia, forever and ever. Amen

A reading from the First Letter of St Paul to the Corinthians Saint Paul wrote this letter to tell us what happened at the last supper.

(I Cor 11:23-26)

Brothers and sisters:

I have already told you what the Lord Jesus did on the night before he was betrayed. And it came from the Lord himself. He took some bread in his hands. Then after he had given thanks, he broke it and said, This is my body, which is given up for you. Eat this and remember me. After the meal, Jesus took a cup of wine in his hands and said, This is my blood, and with it God makes his new agreement with you. Drink this and remember me. The Lord meant that when you eat this bread and drink from this cup, you tell about his death until he comes. The Word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God.

All:

Childrens Eucharistic Prayer III Priest: All: Priest: All: Priest: All: The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give him thanks and praise.

Priest: Before we listen to the words of the Gospel we will show our respect for this book which tells us how to live as Jesus wants us to. (All Stand as the Priest processes with the book of the Gospels) Gospel Acclamation Priest: The Lord be with you. And also with you. A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (19:13-15) Alleluia

All: Priest: All:

e thank you God our Father. You made us live for You and for each other. We can see and speak to one another, and become friends, and share our joys and sorrows. And so Father we gladly thank you with everyone who believes in You; with the saints and angels, we rejoice and praise You, singing: Holy, holy, holy Yes Lord, you are holy: you are kind to us and to all men. For this we thank you. We thank, above all for your Son, Jesus Christ. You sent him into this world because people had turned away from you and no longer loved each other. He opened our eyes and our hearts to understand that we are brothers and sisters and you are Father of us all. He now brings us together to one table and asks us to do what he did. Father we ask you to bless these gifts of bread and wine and make them holy. Change them for us into the body and blood of Jesus Christ, your Son. On the night before he died for us, he had supper for the last time with his disciples. He took bread and gave you thanks. He broke the bread and gave it to his friends saying: TAKE THIS ALL OF YOU AND EAT IT. THIS IS MY BODY WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU. In the same way. He took a cup of wine. He gave thanks and handed the cup to his disciples saying: TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU , AND DRINK FROM IT. THIS IS THE CUP OF MY BLOO, THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANT. IT WILL BE SHED FOR YOU AND FOR ALL, SO THAT SINS MAY BE FORGIVEN.

Glory to you O Lord.

eople were bringing little children to him for him to bless them. But the disciples turned tem away. When Jesus saw what was happening he said, Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; bring them to me. Do you not know that they are among God the Fathers closest friends. The children were brought to him. He greeted them warmly and gave them his blessing. Priest: All: Homily The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer Of The Faithful Priest: God our Father has give us His word that He will not be far from those who call upon His in prayer. Let us ask Him, in faith and hope and love to graciously hear us now. Child: Let us pray for our parents We pray for all the children who are making their First Holy Communion today. May they grow closer to you each day. Lord Hear Us Let us pray for our parents We ask God our Father to bless our parents on this happy day for the love and peace they give to us, their children. We pray that they may always teach us to love Jesus in Holy Communion. Lord Hear Us Let us pray for our teachers We pray for our teachers who day after day share their, time, their energy and their lives with us. We ask for a blessing on our teachers. Lord Hear Us Let us pray for our priests We pray for our priests that they may lead us to know and love God. May they always bring us the Body of Jesus in Holy Communion. Lord Hear Us Let us pray for peace We pray for peace. We pray that we will be spared the evils of violence and know the joy of peace. Lord Hear Us We pray for all the people in our community especially those who are feeling sad and lonely. Lord hear us. All: Amen

~~~ Liturgy of the Eucharist ~~~

Offertory Procession Various gifts will now be brought to the altar in procession while commentators explain the significance of each gift. We bring a White Altar Cloth: We dress the altar because it is Holy. We bring two candles: They remind us that God is always with us. We bring a clock: We share our time with others. We bring our School Uniform: We share our work together as a class. We bring our favourite storybook: It is good to have others to share our stories with. We bring a bible: The Bible tells us Gods story. We bring our artwork: We share our talents with one another. We bring our Name Badges: We all belong to this class and to Gods family. We bring Communion bread: It will become the Body of Christ. We bring Communion wine: It will become the Body of Christ. Offertory Hymn Preparation of the gifts The priest prays quietly, then continues. Priest: Pray, brethren, that our sacrifice may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father. All: May the Lord receive the sacrifice from your hands, for the praise and glory of His name, for our good and the good of His church.

Child:

Child:

Child:

Child:

Child:

Prayer Over The Gifts Priest: God our Father, we come before you with gladness and joy on this most blessed day. Accept the gifts we bring of bread and wine; beautiful gifts from your earth. Through sharing the bread of live, help us to live in love of one another and of you. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. All: (all kneel) Amen