First Holy Communion & Reconciliation

Children normally start preparing for their first Holy Communion when they are in Year 3 or older. Each year we run a parish based programme of preparation with children and parents/carers working together. Families are normally invited to register their interest in the programme after the autumn half-term. The programme then starts at the beginning of February.

Parents of children attending St Mary’s Primary School will all receive an invitation to enrol their children in the programme. Parents of children attending other schools should contact the parish office for details of dates and times. Reminders appear on the weekly newsletter and the website in the weeks before the preparation starts. The sessions take place at St Mary’s Primary School, but at the end of the school day, allowing Catholic children who do not attend St Mary’s also to attend.

Reconciliation (First Confession) is celebrated in Lent (March or April). This is always a simple but joyful occasion. The children then receive Holy Communion for the first time at a Sunday parish Mass of choice during June or early July.