Together: Preparing at Home for First Reconciliation: Family Guide: Reconciliation (God's Gift 2009)

God’s Gift 
Reconciliation and Eucharist
This program offers meaningful experiences that will pass on the truth and beauty of our Catholic faith and of the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. These fully integrated sacramental-preparation programs, available in English and bilingual versions, engage children’s hearts and minds through multiple prayer opportunities, unique interactive elements, and beautiful commissioned artwork. Preview samples online at www.loyolapress.com/sacprep.

Program features

• Highly flexible and adaptable to meet the specific needs of your school or parish
• English and fully bilingual editions available
• Traditional prayer, guided reflections, psalms, and additional prayer opportunities are integrated throughout the program
• Interactive components and features appeal to children’s many learning styles
• Inclusive components designed to serve the needs of entire school and parish families

Child’s Book

• Logical structure combines with active learning to engage children
• Prayers are presented in child-friendly text
• Exploration of lessons includes reading, conversation, and fun-filled experiences that appeal to all learning styles
• Scripture stories and links to Scripture enrich the experience and connect children to the Bible
• Scripture comes to life through stories, beautiful art, and interactive stickers, which are bound in the back of each Child’s Book.
• A multicultural approach and a parallel Spanish-English bilingual program unites Spanish- and English-language members of the Catholic faith.
• Bilingual-version facing pages are numbered the same for ease of instruction.
• Multiple opportunities for children to experience prayer are offered in every chapter.

Family Guide
Together: Preparing at Home for First Reconciliation
Together: Preparing at Home for First Eucharist
The family guide serves as a superb resource designed to assist parents as their children prepare for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist.

• Colorful, magazine format presents information inan easy-to-use, appealing manner
• Insightful stories build background and guide parents through lessons
• Opening prayers are included for family moments of prayer
• Practical articles help parents instill in their children values and principles of moral development
• Real stories gathered from families about living the Catholic faith share insights related to the concepts in each chapter

Children’s Keepsake Booklets
My Own Reconciliation Booklet
My Own Mass Booklet
These keepsake booklets are tailored to each sacrament. Each provides an opportunity for children and parents
to actively grow in prayer and knowledge of
the sacrament.

Catechist Guide

• 3-Minute Retreat, Catechist Background, and Catechist Preparation open each chapter, providing support for catechists and teachers
• Chapter Lesson Planners provide an easy-to-read, at-a-glance graphic that helps catechists and teachers plan meaningful lessons
• Step-by-step lessons and scripting provide support and convenience
• Catechist Handbook provides valuable information about teaching children and preparing them for the sacraments
• CD, included with every guide, provides inspirational music, Scripture stories, and guided reflections to be used throughout the program
• Blackline masters included with every guide

Free with each Catechist Guide
Reproducible blackline masters
CD featuring Scripture stories, guided reflections, and music
Sample child’s keepsake booklet

• · The Catechist Guide provides unparalleled support for preparation through 3-Minute Retreats, Catechist Background, and Catechist Preparation.
• · Clear, customizable Chapter Lesson Planner helps catechists and teachers prepare lessons confidently.

Program Director Guide
The Director Guide offers essential information, including how to

• Schedule sessions and special events
• Use the program components in a variety of ways
• Plan and organize parent orientations and parent/child retreats
• Create a welcoming, faith-enriching environment

Program Director Guide includes Resource CD
This CD includes resource materials that complete the sacramental-preparation experience, including

• Customizable handouts
• Invitations
• Certificates
• Reminder letters
• Much more

Director Resource DVD: Come and See
Unique to the God’s Gift sacramental-preparation program, this powerful resource provides six segments (three in English, three in Spanish) that invite children and adults into conversation about their faith:

• A Tour of the Church helps viewers learn about the important people and items inside the church.
• Your Role at Mass explains the elements of the Mass in a way that parents and children can both understand.
• Ritual Matters helps parents appreciate how the rituals in their life connect to our life in the sacraments.