2018 CLASSES FOR FIRST SACRAMENTS OF RECONCILIATION AND HOLYCOMMUNION
These classes are for children in school year 3 or above. Start date to be confirmed but they will most likely be in the O'Sullivan Centre immediately after 9.30 Mass. Application forms for children who do not attend a Catholic School can be collected from the Parish Office or printed from the website (click on link below). The first Parents Eve will be announced in due course.
These classes are for children in school year 3 or above. Start date to be confirmed but they will most likely be in the O'Sullivan Centre immediately after 9.30 Mass. Application forms for children who do not attend a Catholic School can be collected from the Parish Office or printed from the website (click on link below). The first Parents Eve will be announced in due course.
Following Diocesan guidelines the age of preparation for children is 7+. The programme is supported by Catechists and is open to all children practising their faith in the parish. Children in Yr 3 and above are eligible to apply to join the programme. Children attending non-Catholic schools are most welcome on the programme. Baptismal evidence will need to be provided.
The programme begins in the Autumn and lasts over fifteen weeks, school term times only. Each session lasts an hour, from 10:30am to 11:30am, every Sunday following the 9:30am Family Mass. The expectation is that the children will attend all the sessions having been to the Sunday 9:30am Mass first, thus making the lessons more relevant for them. Parents follow up this preparation by helping their children complete the programme workbook.
The programme workbook is called ‘I Belong’ published by Redemptorist Publications. It contains lively, colourful material in which illustrations and examples are used to reflect the world where today’s children live and experience faith. It is hoped that the children will use this book to create a personal momento of this special time in their relationship with God. At the end of each chapter is a “Family Time” page with suggestions for prayer and something to do together as a family. Small information boxes cover areas such as:- search the church for particular items, explanation of Catholic practices, what to look out for while at Mass and new words associated with Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and the Mass.
The partnership between the parish and the family is of prime importance and especially so in this next stage of the children’s faith journey. Attendance at parent meetings, commitment to take the children to Mass and to the lessons and ensure support with homework is vital to each child’s preparation and their readiness to receive the sacraments. Example and commitment are the best forms of teaching the faith and so we ask the help of you, the parents, to support us as we work together to prepare the children. The meetings are fairly informal and we do welcome non-Catholic partners to join us. Father Jim will be present at these meetings to answer questions and give support. Refreshments will be served during the evening.
First reconciliation can take place on any Saturday morning from the beginning of Lent up until the weekend before the child’s Holy Communion date.
The children receive First Holy Communion at the weekend Mass they usually attend in the month of May so that the parish may actively participate and support them.
Parents looking to enrol their children on the programme should contact the Parish Office.
The programme begins in the Autumn and lasts over fifteen weeks, school term times only. Each session lasts an hour, from 10:30am to 11:30am, every Sunday following the 9:30am Family Mass. The expectation is that the children will attend all the sessions having been to the Sunday 9:30am Mass first, thus making the lessons more relevant for them. Parents follow up this preparation by helping their children complete the programme workbook.
The programme workbook is called ‘I Belong’ published by Redemptorist Publications. It contains lively, colourful material in which illustrations and examples are used to reflect the world where today’s children live and experience faith. It is hoped that the children will use this book to create a personal momento of this special time in their relationship with God. At the end of each chapter is a “Family Time” page with suggestions for prayer and something to do together as a family. Small information boxes cover areas such as:- search the church for particular items, explanation of Catholic practices, what to look out for while at Mass and new words associated with Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and the Mass.
The partnership between the parish and the family is of prime importance and especially so in this next stage of the children’s faith journey. Attendance at parent meetings, commitment to take the children to Mass and to the lessons and ensure support with homework is vital to each child’s preparation and their readiness to receive the sacraments. Example and commitment are the best forms of teaching the faith and so we ask the help of you, the parents, to support us as we work together to prepare the children. The meetings are fairly informal and we do welcome non-Catholic partners to join us. Father Jim will be present at these meetings to answer questions and give support. Refreshments will be served during the evening.
First reconciliation can take place on any Saturday morning from the beginning of Lent up until the weekend before the child’s Holy Communion date.
The children receive First Holy Communion at the weekend Mass they usually attend in the month of May so that the parish may actively participate and support them.
Parents looking to enrol their children on the programme should contact the Parish Office.
