Rainbow - the central symbol of the day, was central also in the center of the family Mass. Regenbogen - das Bild zog sich auch durch den Familiengottesdienst Foto: Welser © 2001

Parents of children preparing for First Holy Communion discussed on topics related to their child's feast Elternrunde beim Kommunionkindertag - Themen rund ums Fest des Kindes mit ganz persönlichem Bezug Foto: Etzold © 2001

Youth with Sr. Margarite Die Mädchen "diskutieren" mit Schwester Margarite Foto: Etzold © 2001

Crafting project for parents and children: a family candle Kreativprojekt für Eltern und Kinder: Familienkerze Foto: Etzold © 2001

The colors of the rainbow - God wants to be our friend and close to us Die Farben des Regenbogens - Gott will unser Freund und uns nahe sein Foto: Welser © 2001

(Elfriede and Hans-Joachim Etzold) The Schoenstatt Family Movement of the Eichstaett Diocese, Germany, on March 10 and 11, 2001, organized two days for families with children preparing for first Holy Communion in the Schoenstatt Center Canisiushof near Ingolstadt. From families for families, these days are meant as a support and as a complement for the preparation taking place in the parishes.

The Schoenstatt families intended to share ideas of how to accompany the child on the way to First Holy Communion, how to organize the feastday, how to use the time of preparation as a family, to think about reconciliation and communion, to the end of preparing for a real feast of the whole family. Of course, the day was also intended to provide some hours of family joy and sharing for all.

The Rainbow: God Wants to Be Our Friend

Many young families from the diocese joined in these days in the Schoenstatt Center. The children preparing for their first Holy Communion broke into three groups. With songs, games and crafts, they worked on the subject: "The rainbow – God wants to be our friend and always close to us." Their siblings were cared for by kindergarten teachers at that time, and the adults listened to a talk given by Schoenstatt Father Bernhard Schneider, Munich, on Holy Communion.

Closing with a Family Mass

Schoenstatt families led discussion groups on the following items:

1. 1.Our personal attitude towards Holy Communion
2. 2.Interior preparation of the parents, together with their child
3. 3.Ideas for the feastday

After lunch, parents and children joined for a crafts and music project. All decorated a family candle, which was blessed in the closing Family Mass, along with the children's "ribbons of friendship". The day ended with coffee and cake later in the afternoon.

Schoenstatt Family Movement Supporting Project of the Diocese.

With these "First Holy Communion Days" as well as with several retreats for young couples and families, the Schoenstatt Family Movement in the Eichstätt Diocese wants to support a project of the diocese regarding marriage and family life, focusing on the involvement of both mothers and fathers in the religious education. To do so, the Schoenstatt Family Movement did not re-invent the wheel. For years, they have focused on the fathers' involvement in religious family life as well as on communication within the family and creating and fostering family relationships.

English edition: Joan Biemert, New Franken, Wisconsin, USA