The decision has been made to cancel all sacramental programme meetings for the time being. It is not seen as an essential gathering at this time. To reduce the risk to participants there will be no more instruction on the Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage prep and RCIA. All these programmes will be resumed when the current health crisis has abated. 13/3/2020
We aim to provide you with practical support and useful opportunities for discussion as you experience the privilege of helping your son or daughter prepare for these sacraments. Some of the input is just for parents; some is for parents and children together. The Church teaches us that parents are the ‘first and best teachers’ of their children. There is no one more suited to guide your child through this time than you, who know them so well. The course is designed to make your task easier and more pleasurable.
Dates for the Reconciliation and First Holy Communion course 2019/2020 are available to download, below. Click on link to download and also please read the item below. FHC Dates 2020
For an application form click on link to download. FHC application form 2019-2020 The deadline for applications for the next course is 9th September 2019.
Parents are asked to come to the information evening on Tuesday 10th September 2019, in the Parish Hall, at 7:30pm to learn more about the requirements of the course.
Communion Programme RE Sessions for children not at Catholic school: the timetable for this year is in this link: Teresa’s final RE Session Timetable 2019-2020
DOING THE DAILY REVIEW WITH YOUR CHILD
This is the link to the page with the child’s version of the examen on it: https://pray-as-you-go.org/prayer-resources/the-examen/. All you need to do is scroll down and find the version you want. You can always try out some of the others for yourself. There is an app that you can download to your phone; just look for pray as you go or PAYG. It has lots of interesting things for you to try, including preparing for Advent, mental health awareness exercises and the rosary.
Here is the text of what is said in leading the child through the examen: Examen text of child’s verson
Here is the link to the page – just scroll to the bottom for the child’s examen: https://pray-as-you-go.org/article/examen-prayer
Remember that if your child fills his or her prayer journal, you can ask me for another – or, if you like, make your own version. I would be happy to print out and assemble a version that you had created.
Books If you would like your child to have a book, these are the three I would recommend:
I Belong ISBN: 978-0-85231-377-0-Redemptorist publications: Hardback, blue. Comprehensive and colourful. Includes stories from Old Testament. Includes the sacrament of Reconciliation. One to do with your child.
Called To His Supper Jeannine Timko Leichner ISBN 978-1-59276-299-6. Paperback. For a child who wouldn’t enjoy a text filled page. Simple but decent.
We Share In The Eucharist ISBN 978-2-89646-462-3 Novalis. Paperback. For a child who doesn’t mind more text. Useful because it takes you through the Mass. This is more thorough than the Called To His Supper one.
These are cheaper online than in any bookshop. Nearest bookshops for Catholic books are in London.