AS SECOND-GRADE students around the diocese prepare for their First Communion, one classroom decided to look closer at the history and making of unleavened bread, as well as explore the different parts of their parish sanctuary.
St. Juliana Falconieri Catholic School’s second-grade class got a little messy making unleavened bread on April 14 at the Fullerton parish campus. The activity served as preparation for their First Reconciliation that weekend and First Communion on April 25.
STUDENTS, PARENTS AND TEACHERS PREPARE UNLEAVENED BREAD IN A HANDS-ON LESSON. PHOTOS BY ALAN WENDELL/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
“It’s connecting the Eucharist with the old Bible stories: learning about why we have unleavened bread, why it is special to Catholics, and how that connects the Passover with the Last Supper,” said second-grade teacher Christie Reichman. “That brings us to the miracle that happens on the altar at every Mass.”
Students worked with their parents to measure out and mix flour, water, olive oil and salt into a bowl. Second-grader Sofia Neal happily shared all the different kinds of bread she loved as she worked: banana bread, pretzels, rolls, cinnamon bread.
“I love every and all kinds of bread,” Neal declared.
Then it was time to knead the gloopy mixture. Although hesitant at first, Neal stuck her hands in with a big smile and had many little giggles as she kneaded her dough.
At another table, Olivia Netoyer and her mom were the first to make some perfectly round dough ready to be pinched into smaller wafers.
“It’s fun,” Netoyer said of her first time making bread.
Before the students and their parents got to baking, though, they had a chance to look up close at the sanctuary. In a scavenger hunt of sorts, students read about important items like the paschal candle, tabernacle, altar and missal.
“I want the kids to learn about the Church,” said assistant principal Heather Molina. “I want them to take away what their faith means and the meaning behind it, so when they see the altar, they know what the altar stands for, why we say the words, what the words mean,” she added. “I want them to take that away before going on to their First Reconciliation and First Communion.”
Fr. Michael Pontarelli, O.S.M., pastor of St. Juliana, spoke with the children about the important features of the Church and answered their questions.
FR. MICHAEL PONTARELLI ANSWERS SECOND GRADERS’ QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW EACH ITEM IN THE CHURCH IS USED DURING MASS AND PRAYER.
“I think it’s important when we come into a Catholic church, or any church, just to notice where we are,” Fr. Michael said. “That’s an important thing, and when you notice it, you get an orientation of what’s important.”
He noted how in the Catholic tradition, the central focus is the cross.
Learning how to make bread and the important features of her parish church was fun for Juliana “Juju” Mota, 7, because they were helping her prepare for her First Communion. Taking the Eucharist is important to her to “have a good heart.”
“Because I am getting blessed from God,” she added.