Sacramental
Preparation
Each year,
the parish undertakes preparation for the Sacraments of Eucharist,
Reconciliation and Confirmation.
The programmes are parish based and led by catechists who are parishioners,
and often parents.
It is customary
to give an invitation each January to those parents requesting Holy Communion
for their children. The usual invitation is as follows:
We invite parents
who consider their child to be ready for Holy Communion to enrol their
child. 'Being ready' is not necessarily being a particular age; much
depends on the spiritual growth of the child and a very important
part of this growth is playing an active part in the life of the parish
community. Please ask Carol Hoare or Fr Peter for an enrolment form.
We hope to begin preparation in February. The actual
celebration of Holy Communion is during Eastertide and usually in small
groups during the Vigil or Sunday Mass. At Pentecost, all who have received
Holy Communion, are gathered for a Thanksgiving Celebration.
At present,
the same children are prepared for the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the
autumn and celebrate the Sacrament at the beginning of Advent.
Alongside
both of these preparations, are meetings for the parents
to share and deepen their own faith.
Sacrament
of Confirmation
Each year we hope to be able to celebrate Confirmation with the Bishop. The preparation involves creating a community of candidates who are have shown a commitment to the parish. This will involve regular meetings, an Away Day, and a visit to the Cathedral to look around and meet the Bishop himself if at all possible.