From January 2026, we adopted GIFT — a flexible programme for sacramental preparation which places you as a family at the center. It replaces our old catechesis model and is designed for every family, wherever you are on your journey of faith.

Why we’ve changed our approach

First Communion catechesis has never really changed since almost a hundred years ago or more – while the world has rapidly changed. GIFT arose out of a need to update the way we do catechesis and provide for the needs of children – and families – in our own times. We adopted this programme following the feedback we got from parents, catechists and enquiring to best practices across churches.

Traditionally, the Church focused on making sure that the children learnt all they were required to, in order to receive the sacraments. The emphasis was on the transmission of information. Most families then lived within a broadly Christian culture — faith was in the air. The Church’s job was simply to provide the formal grounding children needed to receive what was already happening all around them. This however is no longer the case. Today, the culture is extremely secular, even hostile at times to the faith. Many parents feel under-equipped to pass on a faith they themselves received only as children, and never really deepened as adults. Children growing up today often have few examples of people living the faith joyfully and visibly — and so, when they reach their teen years, it is little surprise that many drift away. The old model of catechesis was never designed for this world. GIFT is.

GIFT is family catechesis. It is an exciting way of supporting families to engage with the faith. Whether you are already engaged with the Church and practicing your faith, or looking for a way to become more engaged, or seeking the sacraments for your child, GIFT is for you.

Who is it for?

In this context of First Communion, GIFT is for families with children aged between 5 and 11, whether you are already engaged with your faith and the Church or whether seeking the sacraments for your child is your motivation and you’re not yet as engaged as you would like to be. In reality GIFT is for everyone aged 6 to 106. After all, faith learning is a lifelong experience and joy! We encourage families to continue with GIFT even after their children have received their First Communion so they can continue being formed in the faith.

“Family catechesis is of great assistance as an effective method in training young parents to be aware of their mission as evangelisers of their own family.”— POPE FRANCIS, AMORIS LAETITIA §287

What is GIFT?

GIFT stands for Growing in Faith Together (as a family in the church). It is, at its heart, family catechesis — a way of forming parents and children in their faith side by side, rather than sending children to classes while parents wait outside.

When your child was baptised, you were asked: “Do you accept the responsibility of training him/her in the practice of the Catholic faith?” That is a profound commitment — and one the Church recognises is not always easy to fulfil. Nevertheless, parents remain the first teachers of their children and have more influence on whether their children remain Catholic into adulthood than any teacher or programme. GIFT exists to support you in your role.

We can’t pass on what we don’t have
For many parents, faith formation ended in childhood. GIFT doesn’t assume you have all the answers — it walks alongside you as you grow, too. All families are welcome, whatever your level of practice or confidence.

GIFT brings families together on Saturday mornings once a month — for Mass, fellowship, and shared catechesis. It also offers a monthly Zoom sessions for parents, introducing resources for use at home and helping you grow in your own faith. The two strands work together: what you explore in the sessions, you continue to live out as a family through Sunday Mass, prayer at home, and parish life.

Readiness, not a Rite of Passage

One of the most significant shifts GIFT makes is moving away from the idea that all children must receive the sacraments at the same age, on the same day, after completing the same number of sessions. Receiving Jesus in the Eucharist is not a milestone to tick off — it is a moment of genuine readiness. No two children or families are the same. GIFT works at your pace, recognising the realities of family life and meeting you where you are.

When you reach a stage of engagement with the faith which is regular, sustained and joyful – we will arrange for preparation sessions specifically for First Communion. The sessions are to equip you as parents to form your children with our help. Once this is done, you will be able to decide when you would like to arrange for your child to receive Jesus in the Eucharist for the first time. Small groups of children who are ready together will be able to celebrate alongside one another, their families and the parish. There will no longer be a single annual “First Communion day” — but a series of joyful celebrations throughout the year.

“Parents have to discern not only if their children are ready for this step, but if they and their entire family are ready.”

— FR JAMES MALLON, DIVINE RENOVATION

How Does it Work in Practice?

Alongside these sessions, we ask families to come to Sunday Mass together. The parish Eucharist is not a supplement to GIFT — it is the primary place of formation, where your children are welcomed into the life of the Church and, in time, will receive Jesus for the first time.

Children from St John’s, The Blessed Sacrament Church, or any other parish are warmly welcome to prepare here.

Is there a Charge for GIFT?

We ask for a donation of £50 to cover our expenses during the year. But if this is too difficult for you, please let us know, and we are happy to waive it for you. Your faith, as St Peter says, is more precious than gold (1 Peter 1:7)!

2026 GIFT dates and times

We would love to hear from you

Applications are welcome at any time of year. It’s okay if you’re not a regular churchgoer at the moment — but we do hope that as you start with GIFT, you’ll also start being part of our Sunday community and take up practicing your faith enthusiastically. We look forward to accompanying you on this journey. The leaflet below gives all this information in a summary form. Please fill in the application form once you’re ready to apply and return it to the office when convenient.