Catholic schools provide catechesis during term time and children who do not go to Catholic school, generally lack the foundation required to prepare for the ‘Source & Summit of our faith‘, Holy Eucharist. Through catechesis, one becomes aware of who God is and his plan for us – to know him, to love him, to do good in this world according to his will and someday to be with him in Heaven forever. This programme aims to provide religious education that children in Catholic schools receive so that when they come forward to prepare to receive Jesus in Holy Communion, they recognise his Presence in the Most Blessed Sacrament.
Eligibility:
This year-long pre-Communion catechesis programme is for children aged 7 and over (and in Year 2 and above), who are not in Catholic Schools and have not yet received their First Holy Communion.
Parish children who have not attended at least one full year of Catholic school in the UK in the preceding year, must complete the year-long Walk With Me programme before registering for First Holy Communion preparation. This programme runs from September to June.
Baptism of older children
Children aged 7 years and older, who have not yet been baptised, prepare for Baptism by joining the Walk With Me programme.
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.
If you would like further details, please email the parish catechist Lionel Pereira at: hounslowcat@rcdow.org.uk
THE REGISTRATION PERIOD FOR 2025-26 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 six children (aged six to eight).
- 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).