First Holy Communion 2009

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FHC 2009-2010 Information Sheet (doc)
FHC Dates 2009-2010 (doc)

St John’s Cathedral First Holy Communion Programme 09/10

Information Sheet

Bishop Michael reminds us that, “parents are the first teachers of their children in the faith, and should be at the heart of their children’s sacramental preparation” (Evans, 2008). With this in mind, we would like to work closely with you, to prepare your child for their First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion in the following ways:

• Fr. James invites you to meet with him on the dates marked on the programme, to involve you in your child’s preparation for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.
• We will provide a folder containing the book ’Jesus Comes to Me’ as well as any additional learning materials to be used in the classes. Please encourage your child to decorate the copies of ‘The Lord’s Prayer’ and the ‘Hail Mary’ found in the folder and bring them back to the second class, where we will laminate them.  Please say these prayers nightly with your child, so he/she becomes familiar with them, and remind them to bring their folder and book each time.
• Although the programme is based on the above book, we will not always follow it in order. This is because we are keen to introduce Jesus as body and blood early in the programme, to help the children connect what they learn on the programme with the Church’s calendar (esp. Advent and Lent) and to ensure the chapters on Reconciliation reflect the order of the St John’s programme. Please ask your child what they have learnt after each session and discuss any questions they may have. Read through and, if necessary, complete the chapters covered on that day with your child.
• Please could your child bring a piece of fruit to each class to contribute to a communal snack. You may place the fruit in a basket on the registration desk.
• We would like your child to attend every session so they benefit from the full programme. Please drop off your child from 2.15pm onwards so we may start promptly at 2.30pm and collect them at 4pm. If your child is unable to attend please let Mary (01603 462723) or Gabby (01603 461113) know. If there is a problem close to the time of the class, please phone or text 07729067169.
• We encourage you to think about asking a member of the parish to support your child in prayer while they prepare for their First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. These ‘prayer sponsors’ could be, for example, older friends in the parish, young people preparing for Confirmation or people from twin parishes overseas. Bishop Michael strongly encourages all children on the First Holy Communion preparation programme to attend the annual Diocesan Children’s Pilgrimage to Walsingham (Tuesday of the summer half term).

We look forward to working with you to prepare your child for their First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. If you have any questions please contact Fr James, Mary or Gabby.

Reference: Evans, Michael (Rt Rev) (2008) Diocesan guidelines on parish preparation for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. www.catholiceastanglia.org/catechist (this website contains various documents which may help you to contribute to your child’s preparation for First Confession and Communion, esp. full document of One Bread, One Body)

St John’s Cathedral First Holy Communion Programme 2009-2010

Class dates and content

Additional important dates