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 The sacrament of the Eucharist has been instituted by Christ, to be celebrated in memory of him. Through the Eucharist the Church re-presents his once and for all Sacrifice to the Father, and from the Eucharist the Church receives spiritual food and drink, Christ’s Body and Blood, that she might live strong in faith.

Those children baptised after the age of 6 or 7 and those baptised as Adults will generally receive Holy Communion for the first time during the Mass at which they are baptised and confirmed.

Those baptised as infants will normally receive their first Holy Communion when they are aged 7 or more, and after a time of special preparation. Eucharist is the third and final sacrament of initiation into the sacramental life of Church. However in recent years it is commonly celebrated before Confirmation in the case of those baptised as infants.

2020 Programme ​
2020-21 Programme
There are two tracks for the preparation. 
The first is for children not at Catholic schools.
​The second is for those children in the parish primary school, St Nicholas.
  • The 2020/21 timetable is in preparation. It will take into account the current health crisis and social distancing requirements. Although this timetable will be significantly different to last year's timetable, that timetable is provided here for reference.
  • ​Application for 2020/21 preparation (Application form is for all participating families)



Help for parents in leading their children to deeper participation in Sunday Mass 
  • You might find it helpful to read Fr Thomas Richstatter’s The Mass: A guided Tour, (£8.95). It helps alert us to aspects of the Mass we might have missed or stopped noticing. 
  • In addition, A Beginner’s Guide to Praying the Mass (£1.95), by Fr Allen Morris, is a helpful resource for children in the programme. It helps them more easily take part in the Mass, and understand its different ‘languages’.  
Both books can be ordered from the parish Repository.
 
Our parish preparation is open to all children but is designed for those who have been baptised in the Catholic Church  have been attending Sunday Mass in the parish church each week over the past year.

Parents of children who have not been baptised in the Catholic Church, should arrange to meet with the parish priest as soon as possible - and before applying - to discuss their circumstances.