Jesus says “Let the little children come to me. Do not stop them!”
While Baptism is the sacrament that begins our journey in the Church, it does not complete it. Confirmation and Eucharist (First Holy Communion) are the three “Sacraments of Initiation”, by which we become full members of the family of the Church. In the Catholic Church we believe that children (with the support and guidance of parents and others) can share the journey of faith, and these sacraments are one of the ways in which that faith is received and nourished.
BAPTISM OF OLDER CHILDREN
(JUNIOR CATECHUMENATE)
“This form of the rite of Christian initiation is intended for children, not baptised as infants, who have attained the use of reason and are of catechetical age.”
“They seek Christian initiation either at the direction of their parents or guardians or, with parental permission, on their own initiative. Such children are capable of receiving and nurturing a personal faith and of recognizing an obligation in conscience. The Christian initiation of these children requires both a conversion that is personal and somewhat developed, in proportion to their age, and the assistance of the education they need. Accordingly, as with adults, their initiation is to be extended over several years, if need be, before they receive the sacraments.” (Introduction to Rite of Christian Initiation)
First Holy Communion
The Church teaches that complete membership of the Catholic Church is given by three Sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist (Communion). In the West, we baptise in early infancy, and defer the other Sacraments of Initiation until a child has at least reached the “age of reason” (seven years old). In most Dioceses of the world, this is the age at which First Communion is given – Confirmation being deferred to a later age.
Recently Bishop John has revised the preparation for and celebration of these Sacraments: Confirmation will now be celebrated when our young people are in Year 8.
First Confession and First Holy Communion are normally celebrated in Year 3: each year parents of children going into year 3 in September are invited to enrol their children on the programme: from September to the following May the programme will enable our young people to be ready for the Sacraments by which they will belong fully to the Family of the Church.
Our children’s preparation is done primarily by their attendance at Sunday Mass, where they can listen to God’s Word in the Children’s Liturgy of the Word, and join in the prayers at the altar where Jesus gives us his Body and Blood. By watching, listening and joining in the children will become more and more open to the amazing gift of Holy Communion!
If you have a child who has been baptised and has entered Year 3 this September, and would like them to take part in the programme this year, please contact us as soon as possible. If your child attends Saint Mary’s Primary School you will be contacted anyway.
School Involvement
While the Catholic School is fully supportive of these programmes, it is the parent’s responsibility to apply for and accompany children on it. Children receive communion as individuals within their own family and in the family of the Parish, not through School.
Holy Communion
It is through regular participation at Sunday Mass, rather than through lessons or meetings, that children are thoroughly prepared to receive Holy Communion.
