First Holy Communion - the practicalities

Sacraments of Reconciliation
& First Holy Communion programme
for 2024/25

First Holy Communion - Invitation to pupils from OLQP

Pupils in Our Lady Queen of Peace who wish to make their First Communion in May, are invited to come to 11 am Mass in St Francis on April 6th.

First Holy Communion Information Letter February 2025

Please see the latest letter with information and dates for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion Masses in 2025.

- Click here for the Letter

THE FEBRUARY INFORMATION LETTER

Dear Parents / Guardians,

Thank you for your co-operation and support since September. We are now half way through the preparation sessions for First Holy Communion. There are three sessions and the Reconciliation Service left.

The sessions are the three most important in the programme. They are:-

February 22nd or 23rd on the Beatitudes
March 22nd or 23rd on preparation for Reconciliation
April 26th or 27th on preparation for Holy Communion and a practice for the actual day.
The session will take place during Mass and the practice will take place after Mass. you are asked to take your child to the church you have chosen.

The Reconciliation Service

The Reconciliation Service is on 12th April at 10.30am in St Marys church.
Your child cannot make their first Communion if they have not attended this session.
It is not like Confession in the past and your child has nothing to fear. They will be guided through some wrong choices they may have made such as not sharing, not helping, failing to be kind and then as a group will say sorry. Please let me know as soon as possible if you are not able to attend.

Your child should have completed the worksheets up to The Beatitudes, including any colouring in.

The dates for the Masses to celebrate First Communion for your child are:-

May 10th in St Francis Church
May 17th in St Richards Church
May 24th in St Marys Church
All are at 10.30am on a Saturday morning. Each family has been allocated a bench in the church they have chosen. If you have not informed me of your choice please do so now. Until we have further information about the approximate numbers in each church we assume families will be limited to one bench about 6 people. There is no standing in the back of the church or in the porch. We also need to know about space for wheelchair users.

Obviously there are months to go and things can change in that time so the information you give now can be changed nearer the time. Information on numbers will be confirmed at the practices at the latest.

Kath

Sacramental Programme and Form are available here:

First Communion Programme 2024/25

Please see the Letter and Form for more details - and the Programme details below.
Please open the file to print the form.
Complete it and hand it into church when you are at Mass.

The Catechists’ team are pleased to announce that our new Sacraments of Reconciliation & First Holy Communion programme for 2024/25 will begin on the weekend of 28th / 29th September 2024.

The programme is open to all children who will be in Year 4 or above in September and who have been baptised. Please see the Letter and Form for more details.

Children and parents attend one session a month to work on the programme. The sessions are held in church during Mass. After Mass there is a short session for parents. Parents pick one church to attend. Dates will be given at the normal Masses.

The Programme:-

Your commitment
Bring your child to Mass on the dates listed below
Stay behind after Mass for a few minutes to understand the session the children have followed
Afterwards talk to your child and help them fill in their booklet.

Programme

September 28/29. Parents, catechists commit to programme
Children look at ‘With you Always and Introduce Treasure Hunt.
October 26/27 . Baptism
November 23/24 . Mass part 1
December 21/22 . Mass part 2
January 25/26 . Prayer
February 22/23 . Beatitudes
March 22/23 . Reconciliation
April 26/27 . Eucharist

Services in May depending on numbers.

Sacramental Programme

With You Always
Jesus gave us an example of how to live. He faced the problems we face and he promised he would be with us to help us. He showed love to many people, healing them and supporting them. You need to talk to your child about how they can show love.
Your child will fill in the heart to heart picture.

Church Treasure Hunt
You need to find time to help your child walk around church and find the items listed and talk about them. The Catechist will show them the Holy Oils
The signs on the Easter Candle are Greek, alpha and omega, meaning from the beginning to the end.

Normal Masses each weekend are:
Saturday 5pm in St Marys
Sunday 9am in St Richards
Sunday 11am in St Francis

Please see the Letter and Form for more details.
Sacraments of Reconciliation & First Holy Communion will take place in May 2025. Dates will be announced at the monthly sessions.

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Sacraments of Reconciliation & First Holy Communion programme for 2024/25