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.
This 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.
Eligibility:
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.
Children who are not in Catholic school (or have not attended one full year in Catholic school here in the UK ), 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.
Registration:
Registration opens in the summer (June to July). Announcements regarding the opening of registration is made in the parish newsletter at least two weeks prior. An online registration form is made available below on this webpage for the duration of the registration period.
Children who complete their preparation on this programme receive the sacrament in the parish church in May or June.
THIS YEARS REGISTRATION PERIOD HAS ENDED.
2025-26 Registration
NOTES REGARDING REGISTRATION
- The number of available places is limited by the number of volunteer catechists we have. Child safeguarding regulations in the country require that we have one (background checked) adult for every eight children (aged nine to twelve).
- Therefore, parishioners are encouraged to volunteer as catechists so that we can accept all applicants – please apply at earliest (by emailing Lionel on hounslowcat@rcdow.org.uk) as it takes around 3 -4 months for a DBS (background check) to be completed.
- It is not possible to admit children in the middle of the year and families that miss the registration deadline will have to wait for the following year to register their child(ren).