Assembly instructions for
first holy communion banner
Before you begin, make sure you check the contents of the Banner Kit. (see below)
1. Let your child know that you will be putting together their First Holy Communion banner and while we do it, we are going to think about how the bread and wine (grapes) become the Body and Blood of Christ.
2. Watch Video - the video goes over the Last Supper and how we reenact the Last Supper during every Mass we celebrate.
3. Review the video and answer any questions your child might have.
4. In your child's Bible go to Mark 14:22 - 23. There should be a "STORY," "UNDERSTAND IT," "LIVE IT" and "TELL IT" near the section. In my bible it's on pages 1560-1561
Read with your child the "Understand it" in Mark 14:22
Keep your bible open to that page.
5. Pull out the banner pieces and talk about what each piece symbolizes
- Bread - Bread
- Grapes - Wine
- Chalice - Blood of Christ
- Host (white circle with cross) - Body of Christ
- Hearts - Love
- Doves - The Holy Spirit
- Cross - Symbolizes God's love for us. Christ died so we could have everlasting life. John 3:16 [For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whomsoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life]
Discuss each symbol with your child and what it stands for as well as what it means to each of you. Feelings and thoughts that each symbols evokes in you.
6. As you assemble the banner, use the bible Mark 14:22-23 to reenact the last supper using the bread and grapes then the host and chalice as you glue each piece onto the banner.
7. When you place the big felt strip, DO NOT WRITE YOUR CHILD'S NAME ON THE LARGE FELT STRIP. We will do that for you. Write your child's name on blue tape on the back of the banner. We will write your child's name on the banners for you. ALSO, if your child has a long first name, please do not put the small hearts or crosses on the large felt strip to make room for your child's name.
8. Go to Mass with your child and show them where in the Mass the Consecration happens.
9. When you get a chance before you complete this activity, talk to your child about how he or she is feeling about receiving First Communion and share your own stories with him/her about your own First Communion (if older siblings or other people in the house receive Communion then have them talk about about their experiences as well).
10. While doing the banner, please take a picture of yourself doing the banner with your child. Send the picture to re@stgregs-sanmateo.org along with a writeup on how you felt doing going through this experience with your child. Return the banner to class when it is completed.
Samples
Kit Contents
