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:
Preparation for Holy Communion & Reconciliation
Each year, shortly before Christmas, we invite parents who consider their child to be ready for Holy Communion to enroll 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. The usual age is school year 3. There is an information evening in January and preparation begins after that.
The children meet on four Saturday mornings from 10 am – 11.30 am, and are led by parish Catechists and helpers.. These meetings are usually spaced a fortnight apart.
The parents meet together on five occasions and this is an opportunity for renewing and sharing their faith using personal faith stories and touching on general topics such as: God, Jesus, the Church, the Sacraments.
The actual celebration of Holy Communion is during Eastertide and, depending on numbers, usually in small groups during the Vigil or Sunday Mass. At Ascension or Pentecost, all who have received Holy Communion, are gathered for a Thanksgiving Celebration.
At present, the same children will be prepared for the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the autumn and celebrate the Sacrament together before Advent.
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.
