First Holy Communion
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2011-2012
The course which began in September and concludes with the celebration of First Holy Communion at the church of St Peter & St John at 1030am and 2.00pm on 12 May 2012 followed by local 'Going Forth Masses' at St Tarcisius, SS Peter & John and Christ the King churches on 26/27 May The parish uses the diocesan recommended 'I BELONG' course which has proved popular with both children and parents. During the year parents are expected to actively support their children by helping them complete sections of the "I Belong" book. Part of the course involves preparation for and the celebration of First Reconciliation (Confession) on 19 November.
Administration
The Director of the First Holy Communion Parish Course is Anne Nash - Tel: 01276 476877. Our team of five qualified Catechists are CRB cleared. During the year parent volunteers will be asked to help with the provision of refreshments for the children.
Remaining Course Dates 2012:
All sessions for the children take place in the SS Peter & John Hall.
Tuesday 8 May: 6pm Rehearsal at SPJ
Saturday 12 May: First Holy Communion Celebrations 1030am & 2.0pm
Sat/Sun 26/27 May: Going Forth Masses - Pentecost Sunday
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION COURSE 2012/2013
Applications for the First Holy Communion Course 2012-2013
Year 2 children who move into Year 3 in September 2012 are eligible for the reception of First Holy Communion in May 2013. Applications for the course may be made during June and July this year. Fr Richard will then meet all parents individually to accept the Application Forms and to discuss the requirements of the course. The First Holy Communion course for 2012-2013 will comence 29 September preceeded by a parents meeting on the evening of Thursday 27 September.
Course Dates 2012/2013:
2012
All sessions for the children take place in the SS Peter & John Hall.
Thursday 20 September: 8.pm Parents Meeting at SPJ
Saturday 22 September: 3.30pm Lesson 1
Saturday/Sunday 22/23 September: Enrolment & Distribution of 'I Belong' books at all Masses
Saturday 29 September: 3.15pm Lesson 2
Saturday 20 October: 3.15pm Lesson 3
Saturday 10 November: 3pm Parents meting in SPJ church. 3.30pm Lesson 4
Saturday 24 November: 11am Service with First Reconciliation
Saturday 8 December: 3.30pm Lesson 5
2013
Saturday 12 January: 3.30 pm Lesson 6
Saturday 26 January: 3.30pm Lesson 7
Saturday 9 February: 3.30pm Lesson 8
Thursday 7 March: 8pm Parents meeting in SPJ Hall
Saturday 9 March: 3.30pm Lesson 9
Saturday 20 April: 3-5.30pm Lesson 10&11 (Pre-reheasal)
Thursday 7 May: 6pm & 6.45pm Main reheasal
Saturday 11 May: 10.30am & 2pm FIRST HOLY COMMUNION MASSES
Saturday/Sunday 18/19 May: Going Forth Masses
Expectations of the Parish Church Community
First Holy Communion is a wonderful moment in a child's life and represents a sign of growth in the knowledge and love of God for each and every child. Parents who put forward their child or children for First Holy Communion are fulfilling the vow they made publicly at the baptism some years before to be the 'first and best teachers of the child in the ways of faith'. Now they must more actively fulfill this vow. The celebration of First Holy Communion each year is primarily a parish community celebration. There is naturally therefore some expectation that the family are full practicing members of the community and that they regularly come to Mass. On this understanding the parish will give every help to parents and children particularly those children not attending Catholic schools. The support of parents for this and other elements of the course cannot be emphasised enough. To this end parents will be expected to attend a number of parent's meetings during the year. Regarding attendance parents must ensure that their children attend punctually all the preparations classes which take place on a number of Saturday afternoons 3.30pm to 5pm at SS Peter & John. No child will be denied First Holy Communion however, children who miss two or at most three sessions will have missed key catechisis. In such cases and after discussion with catechists and parents the parish priest will remove a child from the course and invite parents to reapply for the following year. Sports events, parties and other such competing attractions must come second to the programme and the regular attendance of Mass during the First Holy Communion year.
Pre-FHC year Preparation
Children in Year 2 coming up to the First Holy Communion age in Year 3 will be invited to attend special sessions at Christ the King during 2012-13. Special Year 2 Forms are now available at our churches. No interviews are required. Further details in due course.
Serving at Mass
On completion of the First Holy Communion course children become eligible to serve on the altar. With regular attendance they will be admitted into the Guild of St Stephen in January of the following year.
Catechist Testimony of 'How we Started'
First Holy Communion (2008 )
It was as late as October 2007 when the first Camberley & Bagshot Parish First Holy Communion (FHC) catechists were formed and came together as a group. The three previous individual parish groups had stood down so volunteers were much needed. Of the newly formed volunteers only one of us had any previous direct catechetical experience. However, we managed to find two volunteers from each of our church three churches. At least it meant an element of familiarity with the children. Three of us were parents of the children on the course this year but you could not have asked for a more different group of people from diverse backgrounds and qualities that instantly bonded and drew upon the individual strengths, experience, skills and capabilities of each other.
We had twenty-eight children on what, over the year has been a wonderful journey and experience for us all, especially given the fear of the unknown felt by us all from the outset. During the monthly sessions we saw the children grow both as individuals and as a group. I speak for us all when I say that it has enriched our lives and been most rewarding to see the initial, in the most part, shy and introverted 7 year olds, convert into what are now very confident and extrovert 8+ year olds. Apart from the spiritual element, as a group we have enjoyed social events and shared many stories, experiences and practical things together including an amazing reconciliation service which the children approached with their continued growing confidence and usual vigour.
The culmination of this particular part of their journey arrived at 2pm on Sunday June 15th at St Tarcisius Church, Camberley, when we witnessed as a parish with pride and emotion these young people being rewarded with the receiving of our Lord for the first time. It has been an absolute honour and privilege to have been involved and I personally look forward to continuing the work again next year with the next group, given that we now have the initial experience and knowledge behind us. It was truly wonderful to see the St. Tarcisius Church packed to the rafters supporting these wonderful children on their special day, an experience that will live long in the memories of the three hundred or more people who were there and who contributed to the service with enthusiasm and joy.