First Holy Communion
Parish, parents and schools work together to prepare the children to receive their first Holy Communion. Home is the most important place to pass on faith while school and parish build on the work already begun by parents. When you present your child for the Sacrament of the Eucharist, you make the choice to provide them with full membership in the parish family, following initial commitment made at Baptism.
Children should be baptised in the Roman Catholic Church, usually for at least two years, before receiving their First Holy Communion. The preparation period for First Holy Communion is a two year programme, in keeping with the Grow In Love programme. Your child should be baptised before entering this period of preparation for First Holy Communion.
The dates for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion cannot be determined, yet, for this year as all such decisions are guided through diocesan guidelines currently in line with directives from the HSE/NPHET. The opportunity to celebrate the sacraments with you in the parish will arrive, but we do not know when that will be. You will be the first to be informed when we are able to plan.
First Communion Preparation Programme
First Communion preparation is parish-based. It involves parish and parents working together in order to help the children to play an active part in the community. The parents of the children, along with some members of the parish team, take responsibility for organising the participation of families at Sunday Masses placing focus on the on-going preparation for First Holy Communion. Currently, however, this is not possible due to COVID. However, Mass is available from parishes throughout the world and on RTE and it is important to participate in this manner with your child so that they will become familiar with the rituals and prayers of the Mass.
Power Points for the Sunday Gospel are available on the parish website. The text of the Gospel is presented along with some points of reflection. This should be helpful for preparing your child in the home. Keep an eye on this website.
First Reconciliation Preparation
First Reconciliation will be celebrated in advance of First Holy Communion. Preparation material will be made available to you through this website and through emails that will issue when such information is gathered through the registration process.
As with First Holy Communion, we cannot determine dates for First Reconciliation for all the same reasons.
In brief, what is the Sacrament of Reconciliation?
The sacrament of Reconciliation is a celebration of God’s unconditional love for each one and a reflection of Jesus’ challenge to us to love one another and to reconnect in love whenever we fail. God is the love that binds us to one another and binds us securely to God.
In brief, what is the Sacrament of the Eucharist/Mass?
The sacrament of the Eucharist/Mass is our family gathering in God’s company where we gather, forgive, listen, reflect, share in the offering of sacrifice for a much greater good, welcome our intimate unity with our Creative and Loving God as we receive Communion. The most important part of the Eucharist/Mass occurs when we take to heart the loving and challenging message of the Gospel out into our lives to build a better and more caring world as we become Christ for others.
