Upcoming Events -- when conditions allow



Podcast

If you missed Mass or even if you went to another mass, you can find Fr. Richard's homilies on our main website. Here is a link to the podcast. Click on descending to get the latest one. See you and the whole family at mass. God bless

                



























 




 
 
 

Important First Communion/First Penance Information

Image result for First Communion parent meeting
Dear First Communion Parents,

Thank you for a successful 1st Communion Parent Meeting yesterday. And in your name, a sincere thanks to our team members who were there to take the journey with you. As Fr. Arthur said, we are partners with you in this amazing journey toward the celebration of the sacraments of our children. We are all so excited to see them receiving First Penance now and we cannot wait to see them receive First Holy Eucharist.

Remember to bring them to Mass. It is the best way to prepare them for First Holy Eucharist.

Mrs. Olsen shared a beautiful image of what's happening at Mass during the Eucharistic Prayer. One of the parents has shared this amazing video, "the Veil Removed,' which pretty much demonstrates virtually what Mrs. Olsen had shared in words. Here it is here. Please click here to watch with your child. It should help clarify the beauty of the heavenly liturgy and the truth that the Eucharist is not a symbol, but Jesus Christ himself. Therefore we approach him with reverence and love.

Attached below are the notes of everything we covered at the meeting and all pertinent information that might be helpful to you. Simply click on the document you wish to review.


Church Lay Out for Assign Seating: Click Here

Sacramental Dates, including Date of Rehearsals by class: Click here to see the dates

First Penance Lamb: Click here for Lamb 1 or Click here for Lamb 2

Truly Blessed First Communion Store: Click here for flyer to contact Joan Jacobs and order your outfits. Please note, you are not require to order from Joan, but she is our parishioner and knows our style.

We hope you find these information helpful. Save this email so you can refer to it next time you have a question regarding the sacrament. But do not hesitate to call or email as needed.

God bless,
The St. Clare Team

First Penance 2021 on your Own: Beginning on Saturday, February 20, 2021 @ 3:30pm in the Chapel

How to Take Your Child to Confession:
Image result for First Penance
  • Every Saturday at 3:30pm-4:30pm our priests are offering the sacrament of reconciliation in the Chapel.
  • The sacrament is offered with social distancing observed.
  • Penitent and priest wear a mask, the sacrament is offered in an open space and the penitent and priest sit 6ft apart.
  • Students from both St. Clare School and St. Clare Religious Education have from now until March 27, 2021 to celebrate Penance on their own time.
  • If you can’t make it on a Saturday, please call the rectory at 718-94-7873 and schedule a private ceremony with a priest.
  • Parents please remember: The best way to help your child celebrate Penance is to model it. So when you bring your child to the Chapel, please go to receive the sacrament as well to model it for your child. This a great opportunity to receive the sacrament of grace during the Lenten Season.

Place the Lamb on the Banner:
  • Attached are pictures of sheep-1 (Picture 2) you can print out, cut out, place your child's name and class on it, (i.e. Marie Noel 2A.). Pick whichever of the two pictures
  • Please remember to bring that lamb with you on the day your child comes to celebrate the sacrament.
  • After celebrating the sacrament. attach that lamb to the Good Shepherd Banner that will be placed in the Chapel for you. Please note, this is how we will know each child has celebrated First Penance.
  • 'If you forget your lamb, underneath the banner will be a basket with pre-cut blank lambs. Please remember to take one, write your child's name on it and place it on the banner Good Shepherd Banner.
  • You can also take a picture of your child with the Banner and email that to mnoel@stclaresi.com. This will help us collect some pictures of the sacraments.
  • Please do not take picture of your child receiving the sacrament. But a picture with the banner is good.
  • At the end of Confession for that Saturday, the Banner will be brought to the Main Church so that the community may pray for the children who celebrated the sacrament that during that weekend Mass.

Pick Up your Child's First Reconciliation Retreat Certificate at the Rectory:
  • As you are leaving the to go home, please be sure to stop by the rectory
  • Let the person who answers the door know that your child just celebrated the Penance and they will give you his/her First Penance Retreat certificate.

  • Please note, these steps: the Lamb on the Banner and Picking Up the Certificate are still apply even if you Schedule a private confession with a priest.

  • He will let you into the chapel to place your child's lamb on the Good Shepherd Banner.
  • There will be tape to attach the lamb to the banner.

What Should the Children know when they go to First Penance Alone?
  • Greet the priest with the sign of the cross while saying, "Blessed me Father for I have sinned. This is my first Confesiion"
  • The priest will guide them from there.
  • They should also know the Act of Contrition "My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. in choosing to do wrong and failing to do good. I have sinned against you whom I should love among all things. I firmly intend with your help to do penance, to sin no more and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us, in his name. my God have mercy."
  • We know most, if not all the kids know this prayer by heart. But if they don't, no worries, the priest will say it with them.



 PRAYERS
 
      Below are li

nks to the

  
      required prayers for each  
      grade level.  Continue to 
      pray with your children 
      each day, through both 
      formal and informal 
      prayer!
 
 
 


Upcoming Events

Virtual Confirmation Retreat: March 13, 2021 @ 1:30pm with Array of Hope

Sacrament of Confirmation 2020-2021 - Immaculate Conception Church - Norwood, NJ

Dear Confirmation Parents,
We are elated that Array of Hope will be offering our Virtual Confirmation Retreat on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at 1:30pm. Please take note that the starting time has changed from 1:00pm to 1:30pm.

Registration Required: Please note, you must register for the retreat to attend. Only if you are registered will you get a link from Array of Hope to join the meeting. So please, please, please register your child now. It only take 1 minute to register. We will be contacting if we realize you have not registered as the day gets closer.

Here is the Link to Register: http://bit.ly/2Mjdbyl



Please Have Your Confirmation Parent Letter Ready for the Retreat:
  • Please do not forget to write your confirmation letter to your child.
  • Hold on to the letter and at the retreat you will be prompted to hand it to your child to read

Reconciliation in Preparation for the Sacrament:
  • Every Saturday at 3:30pm-4:30pm our priests are offering the sacrament of reconciliation in the chapel.
  • Students from both St. Clare School and St. Clare Religious Education have from now until March 27, 2021 to celebrate Penance on their own time.
  • After meeting with the priest, please send an email to mnoel@stclaresi.com to confirm reception of the sacrament. Email must be sent on the same weekend you celebrated the sacrament.
  • Email should be simple. Example: "Marie Noel from 7B celebrated Penance on February 14th with Fr. Patrick"
  • If you can’t make it on a Saturday, please call the rectory at 718-94-7873 and schedule a private ceremony with a priest.

First Communion Retreat
March
 27, 2021