| 4. The sacramental celebration is prepared for within a
parish program that involves at least child and parents.
Ideally other family members and baptismal sponsors will
also take part. Participation by members of the parish will
strengthen the bonds between the child's family and the parish,
and the child will be more fully introduced into the life
of the Church.
The sacramental preparation program is a proximate preparation
for receiving the sacraments. It presumes that the child
is receiving appropriate instruction through on-going catechesis.
Sacramental preparation involves more the shaping of attitudes,
development of a sense of intimacy and trust, prayerfulness
and practical help to celebrate the sacrament with proper
devotion.
Parent involvement in this is indispensable. They create
in the home the prayerful atmosphere of anticipation that
leads the child to desire the sacraments. They share their
experiences and the importance they attach to God's sacramental
gifts. They "coach" the child in the ritual of receiving
the sacraments. They lead the child in prayer beforehand
and afterwards. They, where possible, accompany the child
in receiving communion. (For guidelines on when a parent
who is Catholic may receive communion, see the 1995 Archdiocesan pastoral
guidelines for eucharistic hospitality, Blessed and Broken.)
Parents rightly expect from the parish practical assistance in
this. Hence there should be a parish-based preparation program
for those who have been enrolled. It includes adult education,
helping parents and sponsors to understand better the Church's
teaching and sacramental practice; practical help for working
with their children; and parent-child communal activities.
It also provides for a discernment of the child's readiness
to receive the sacraments.
This program can take any form suited to local needs. Many
parishes have a combination of parish briefing sessions for
parents, home discussion groups for parents, activity sessions
for parents and children together, home activities for parents to
do with their child. The program should be flexible, for
example, not requiring parents to attend an adult education
session they went to for another of their children. Some
briefing sessions could be offered just for those who want
or need more background. The program should be no longer
than is necessary and should be held close to the dates set
for celebrating the sacraments.
Care should be taken to have this preparation program recognised
as a parish program. It should embrace all enrolled
candidates, irrespective of schools they attend. Whilst teachers
from the parish school may be involved, any impression that
it is a school program must be avoided. It is desirable that
a venue other than the parish school be used.
Where older children are involved, sensitivity to their
feelings about being grouped with younger children and to
their more developed needs will require particular arrangements
both in preparation for and celebration of the sacraments. |
