Welcome to Those Newly Initiated!

To impress upon the children the importance of the Sacraments of Initiation by acknowledging and celebrating with others in the parish community who are celebrating these sacraments

The children will acknowledge and celebrate with others in their parish community who are receiving the Sacraments of Initiation.

• Lists of parish Confirmation candidates, First Communion candidates, infants or small children who have been recently baptized, and candidates and catechumens who are preparing for entrance into the Church at Easter.
• Art supplies (card paper, poster boards, markers, stickers)

• Explain to the children that in addition to celebrating the Sacraments of Initiation in their fullness at the Easter Vigil, the parish celebrates them in many ways throughout the year?each time a child is baptized and whenever we celebrate First Communions or Confirmations.
• As a group, brainstorm as many ways as possible for your group to acknowledge and welcome new members of your faith community, such as:

serving as prayer partners for any of the children making their First Communion or being confirmed

finding out if your parish has a reception after the Easter Vigil celebration and, if so, making posters or signs as decorations for the celebration

making bookmarks or cards for your parish's First Communicants or Confirmandi;

sending notes of welcome to the families of infants or young children who have been baptized recently.

• Decide which of the suggested activities your group would like to do in order to acknowledge and welcome those who are being initiated into the Church.
• Make plans to complete the activities.

Art/Space Smart, Word Smart

The activity chosen might need to be done more than once, depending on how many newly initiated groups or individuals you hope to acknowledge and welcome.

If there are children in your group with special needs (physical, hearing, visual, language, or behavioral disabilities), adapt the activity accordingly.