The Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life. The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch. – CCC, 1324
It is the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of our Saviour Jesus Christ. It is the gift of Christ Himself that we may share His Body and always remember the sacrifice of the Cross.
Jesus Christ is present – body, blood, soul & divinity – in the Holy Eucharist. We meet Jesus in person and receive Jesus himself at every Mass.
The First Holy Communion preparation programme is a year-long programme for children aged 8 and above (and in Year 3 or above) in Catholic Schools.
The preparation programme introduces children to the Holy Mass in detail as that is where we meet our Lord in person and get to receive him body, blood, soul and divinity. The Mass is the perfect form of prayer and we all participate, doing our part in the glorious worship of God. It is a dialogue between man & God, we present our gifts and God gives Himself! Children will also prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession), where we see how God’s love for us transcends every sin and seeking forgiveness in true repentance brings about absolution. Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we are able to mend out broken relationship with God and are freed from mortal sin.
Registration takes place via an online form over Jun & Jul; the form is placed on this page when registration begins. The preparation programme runs from Sep to May. Children that complete the programme receive the Sacrament in our Parish in May/June.
Children who are not in Catholic school (or have not attended Catholic school in the UK in the preceding year) must first complete the Walk With Me programme before applying for First Holy Communion preparation. Please visit the Walk With Me page for further details.