First Holy Communion: A Parent's Preparation

Mark Allen found no suitable published book to prepare his son for First Holy Communion. First Holy Communion in the Roman Catholic Church is something of the greatest significance equivalent to confirmation in the Church of England or Bar Mitzvah for Jewish children. A lot of the material published is trite and worst of all tends to patronise the children for whom it is intended. To help parents and teachers answer questions about the ceremony Mark Allen offers readings and background from scripture and catechism. Children can be hard-headed tend to like stories and facts. The narrative of the Bible provides facts, events which happened, and along with them the objective truths of revelation. The Mass is our sacramental encounter with the person of Jesus. Preparation therefore should be based on him and on the Gospel story of His life. The preparation should reflect the unity of the mass, its liturgy of the Word and the Eucharistic Rite, the mystery of Christ in our community as Church. Routine is the key aid to progress. The course provided in this book is based on a series of half hour sessions for parent and teacher with the child. It is thus both practical and down to earth.

Table of Contents:
Foreword by His Excellency Archbishop Giovanni Tonucci Apostolic Nuncio in Kenya Acknowledgements Author's Note Introduction The Old Testament, Background Note 1 The Sacrifice of Communion 2 The Sacrifice of Thanksgiving 3 The Sacrifice of Faith 4 The Sacrifice of Salvation 5 Food for the Journey 6 The Covenant of Love: Life in Freedom 7 Waybread for the Pilgrim 8 God's Secrecy in His Sacraments 9 The Silent Prayer of the Contrite Heart 10 The Mystery of Suffering: Sacrifice and Expiation The New Testament, Background Note 11 The Inscrutability of God's Will 12 Mary's Submission to God's Will 13 The Prophetic Prayer of Humility of Faith 14 Zechariah's Prophecy 15 The Incarnation: A Call to Conversion 16 Prophetic Greetings 17 Jesus' Vocation 18 John's Teaching and the Baptism of the Lamb of God 19 Vocation: Conversion to a New Life in Christ 20 Christ's Gift of Himself 21 Born of the Spirit in Baptism 22 Weakness an Author of Evil 23 Configuring Tradition to the Paschal Mystery 24 Love Which Knows and Cares 25 Love Which Restlessly Seeks the Beloved 26 The Imperative of Love 27 The Father's Unchanging Love 28 Healing in the Spirit 29 The Unity of Christ 30 A Deep Faith 31 A Kingdom of Love 32 Jesus Appoints Peter 33 Love Which Accepts Death 34 Death Which Leads to Life 35 The Holy of Holies Opened - A New House Built 36 The Last Supper 37 The Passion 38 The Resurrection 39 The Road to Emmaus 40 Sacrifice and Ransom 41 Sacrifice and Salvation

About the Author :
Mark Allen studied Arabic at Oxford and worked in the Foreign Service 1973-2004. He served in the UAE, Egypt and Jordan and his work took him all over the Arab world. He is a special advisor to BP plc and a senior associate member of St Antony's College, Oxford. He was made CMG in 2002 and knighted in 2005.

Review :
The author presents over 40 topics for consideration. Each consists of a key extract from the Bible, followed by a series of reflections on the reading. These extracts are aimed principally at the parent, with key ideas written in bold....Even more than that, the book also helps the parent to re-evaluate their own faith.