In order to have proximate preparation for First Penance and First Eucharist, the child must have reached the age of conscious discretion, (the freedom and knowledge to commit sin). Please register your child for these first sacraments if you intend them to receive them at Christ the King - even if they attend Catholic school. CTK offers weekly preparation for First Penance and Eucharist at the Parish Center on Wednesdays during the school year.

A baptismal certificate is required for these first sacraments. Please be sure to submit those to the Religious Education office in the Parish Center. A $20 registration fee is required for those children who are preparing in Catholic schools.

All children attending public schools or those who are in home study are expected to be participating in religious education at CTK for these sacraments.

The practice and interviews for First Penance will be on December 5th. All children who are planning to receive the sacraments must come to the practice - including those in Catholic schools. More information about the practice will be sent out via E-mail as the date approaches.

On February 27th, there will be the interviews for First Eucharist. Again, they are all expected to attend and meet in the Sanctuary. On March 30th, there will be another practice for First Eucharist in the morning. First Eucharist is on March 31st (Easter Sunday) at the 11:30 AM Mass.

First Penance & Eucharist classes will include:

• Several visits to the Blessed Sacrament
• Who is Jesus
• The great love that Christ has for all of us and for the world
• The reality of sin (everyone has a "sin problem") and the great gifts He has given us to take care of that problem
• A sense of the Church and especially the priest "in the person of Christ"
• The "Real Presence" of Jesus in the Eucharist
• Frequent quiet prayer in the classroom
• The Mass
• All things "sacred"
• A tour to the sacristy
• Visits to the class by our Pastor, Fr. Ed Fride

The children will practice reverence in everything regarding God: the Sign of the Cross, genuflection toward the tabernacle, how to treat God's Holy Word, the dignity of all people, God's name, parents, and God's house. There will be musicians coming to teach and sing with the children very frequently. Of course, there will be art projects; the Incarnation will be addressed frequently; and Lent will be the most proximate preparation for the Eucharist, which will be on Easter Sunday, March 31st, 2013. A sense of our parish, Christ the King, will be a primary experience for our candidates for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist.

Lindsey Cousino and her husband, Donal, were born and raised in the parish of Christ the King. Ever since the days of the collapsible altar, Lindsey has always loved volunteering at the church. She is thrilled to be in her third year of teaching 1st Communion/1st Penance with her mother-in-law Patti Cousino. She can't think of anything more rewarding than teaching children about God's loving plan for their lives. Lindsey also loves working with the new DRE, who happens to be her grandma!

Maureen Cousino was raised in Christ the King parish. She spent many years working with the high school kids in the Life Teen program, and is excited to be working with the other end of the spectrum in second grade, preparing the kids to receive Jesus in the Eucharist.

Patti and her husband, Ken, have been parishioners at Christ the King since 1981, after a direct order from the bishop to join. She received a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education from the University of Michigan and joined The Word of God while in college. Patti worked in Youth Activities until her marriage, when she started her own family of 11 children (8 boys and 3 girls). She home schooled all of her children. Patti began teaching Religious Ed in her kitchen in the early days, under the tutelage of Barbara Morgan.

A few years ago, Patti called Becky Benjamin about something, and she said, " I was just praying that someone would call me who could teach 2nd grade religious ed." Patti replied, "That is not why I called." But because of Becky's faith, and Patti's adoration hour the next day, she is now teaching First Communion class for the 5th year running.

Patti has this to say about her experience: "I have been so blessed to be working with the children and the other teachers and aides. I grow best while teaching, and I have been growing in my faith and appreciation for the Sacraments every week. I am grateful for Barbara Morgan listening to the Lord and choosing to obey Him by helping us."

Amy Kopacz is married to Joe and lives in Milan with their seven children, ranging in age from 3-17. Amy has been home-schooling for 14 years and enjoys seeing the "aha" moments on a child's face when the concept finally makes sense.

Amy and Joe are reverts to the faith. The year 2011-12 brought her family 13 sacraments as everyone got caught up! It was a wonderful year of grace and hard work. Amy is so excited to be teaching second grade as Jesus' real presence in the Eucharist was the key to her return to the Church. Having a degree in education, Amy is familiar with the classroom setting, but passing on the faith and truths of God is a special endeavor. It is eternal. She is honored to be able to work with the children and their parents to prepare them for their first Penance and Eucharist.

Fun things - Amy grew up in New York state, was an army officer, loves dogs, sewing costumes, dressing up, baking cookies, history books, dancing with her husband, well written essays, snuggling wiggly children and mowing the lawn.