The sacraments of Reconciliation and First Communion are typically received by baptised Catholic children, resident within the parish boundary and regularly attending Sunday mass with their family during Year Three of their school life. Children do not have to be attending a Catholic school, all are welcome!
Registration takes place during November or December of the year prior to their celebration in June the following year.
Preparation for the sacraments is led by catechists, lay people from within the parish who have been trained and fully vetted for safeguarding purposes. Parents, however are recognised as the first educators of their child and before registering the family should note that the preparation involves the whole family, not just the child themselves.
If your circumstances are not typical, eg your child is older than Year 3 or your child was baptised in an Eastern Church please contact the catechetical team via the parish office as early as possible; we will try to help.
All children will attend preparation sessions on Thursdays between 5:00pm – 6.15pm. Preparation classes take place in the parish centre, the church and the garden area beside the hall.
First Holy Communion Programme for St Raphael’s Parish 2026
Parents’ meetings.
7pm -8pm 12th February 2026 The process and programme for First Holy Communion.
7pm -8pm 26th February 2026 Catechesis and understanding of Eucharist.
The programme.
All children will attend preparation sessions on Thursdays between 5pm -6.15pm. Children will be assigned to four groups strictly in alphabetical order.
Group A will receive Holy Communion at 12 noon mass on Sunday 7th June
Group B will receive Holy Communion at 12 noon mass on Sunday 14th June
Preparation classes take place in the parish centre, the church and the garden area beside the hall.
| Date | Theme | Bible Reference |
| 5th March | Jesus Bridge Key Message: Jesus’ love. | |
| 12th March | B Baptism and Sign of the Cross: part of God’s family. | Matthew 3, 1-17 |
| Sunday 15th March | Rite of Enrolment Sunday 10.30am | Every Family Attend |
| 19th March | Penitential Rite and Gloria. | Luke 15, 11-32 |
| 26th March | Holy Week Walk Key Message: Events showing Jesus’ love through death. | Discuss Holy Week |
| 2nd and 9th April | Easter Break | No Class |
| 16th April | Sacrament of Reconciliation preparation | Matthew 18:21-35 |
| Saturday 18th April | The Sacrament of Reconciliation 10am 12 noon. | Attendance Compulsory |
| 23rd April | Scripture and Bidding Prayers Key message: The bible is for you, here and now! | Samuel Ch 3 |
| 30th April | The offertory Key message: How do we respond to God’s love for us? | Luke 21:1-4 |
| 7th May | Consecration Key message: “This is my body, this is my blood,given up for you” | Luke 22:7-38 |
| Sunday 10th May | Gift of the Mass 10.30am | Every Family Attend |
| 14th May | Our Father and Receiving the gift of Communion Key message: Your greatest ever gift. | Luke 7 (1-10) |
| 21st May | The Dismissal Key Message “Go, spread my love” | Luke 10,25-37 |
| 28th May | Half term | No Class |
| 4th June. | Rehearsal for sacrament of Holy Communion. Second Reconciliation. Group A only. | Luke 19 (1-10) |
| 11th June | Rehearsal for sacrament of Holy Communion. Second Reconciliation Group B only. | Luke 19 (1-10) need not attend. |