First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion 2002/2003
Dear
Parents
The Parish Team are delighted to be available to help and to assist you in your child's religious education and formation.
Your child's preparation for the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist started with baptism. This was the moment when you asked the Church for faith and you accepted the responsibility of bringing your child up in this faith. In other words you became the custodian of your child's religious growth. As in every other aspect of life, you teach them by word and example. In the baptismal rite it states, "Parents are the first teachers of their child in the ways of faith; may they also be the best of teachers." Whilst you are the primary teachers of your child in the Christian way of life, the parish catechists are here to assist you. We do encourage you to take full advantage of the sessions which are being provided for you. Your participation in this important work is crucial.
Please be assured of our prayers in the Parish for you and your children.
May God bless you
Fr
William Davern
Parish Priest
First Reconciliation and First Communion
Children whose 7th birthday is on or before 31 August are eligible to join the preparation programmes commencing the following September, provided they are attending a Catholic School or have been following, for at least a year immediately before, the programme of Continuous Catechetics for children not supported by Catholic Schools.
The long term preparation for this meeting with Jesus has already begun with Baptism and has been encouraged and supported by you in the family. However there is need for more special, parish-based, preparation in order to continue this good work. Happily at St Joseph's we have Catechists who, with the assistance of the Parish Team, will help you in preparing your child for First Reconciliation and First Communion.
The
preparation programmes require your child's attendance at Saturday
morning sessions, your attendance at Wednesday evening sessions
and family attendance at celebration Masses. The dates and times
of all these sessions and celebrations are listed overleaf.
It is difficult to imagine that a child not attending Sunday Mass regularly at present could be ready to celebrate his/her First Communion this year.
Both programmes will be explained in detail to you at our first meeting on towards the end of September at St Joseph's Church, in the evening.
There
is an enrolment fee for the programmes. Please contact Fr Bill if this is
a problem (it's about £20). This goes towards the cost of books, certificates
and other materials involved.
May we ask you to return this cheque, together with a passport size photograph of your child and your application form to The Parish Office as soon as possible.
No applications will be accepted after 31 August. If you have any questions please contact Sr Margarite on 01372 745297