First Holy Communion & Reconciliation Programme

Why is Holy Communion and Reconciliation important?

“The Eucharist (also known as Holy Communion) is "the source and summit of the Christian life… for in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself." (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1324).

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The Eucharist is the third sacrament of initiation and the only one that can be received more than once.  Receiving the Eucharist helps us to live virtuous lives, deepens our relationship with Christ and allows Him to strengthen us if a very special way.

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Registration

If your child is currently in Year 2 or older they will be eligible to enrol on our parish programme for First Holy Communion and Reconciliation. ​Registration opens each year in July.  The registration link for the 2024/25 program is now live.

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Family catechesis

Pope Francis summed up what it means to be a Christian when he wrote ’Jesus Christ loves you; he gave his life to save you; and now he is living at your side every day to enlighten, strengthen and free you’. (Evangelii Gaudium 164)
As a parent/guardian, you took on the responsibility to ensure your child knows that Jesus loves them when you presented them for Baptism.

Pope St John Paul II’s homily during a First Holy Communion Mass in Cardiff during the papal visit to Britain in 1982 rings especially true for you as parents today.

’Dear parents of these children: your love for Christ has made this day possible. For you are your children’s first teachers in the ways of faith. By what you say and do, you show them the truths of our faith and the values of the Gospel. This is indeed not only a sacred duty, but a grace, a great privilege. Many other members of the Church share in this task, but the main responsibility for your children’s religious formation falls upon your shoulders. So try to make your homes genuinely Christian. Help your children to grow and mature as Jesus did at Nazareth, "in wisdom, in stature, and in favour with God and man" (Luke 2:52). Allow no one to take advantage of their lack of experience and knowledge. As you share with them in their personal pilgrimage to God, may you always be united in prayer and worship and in humble love of God and his people.’

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The church calls each family home a ’domestic church’, a place where we parents are called to both model and teach our children how to live holy lives by ordering our everyday activities towards Christ. In your ’domestic church’ this year our catechetical team will accompany you, the parents, during the programme, as you pray, listen, act and ponder together with your child. Additional support for parents will also be an integral part of the programme during the coming year, and you will be asked to commit to participate in these online sessions.

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We look forward to welcoming you and your families to our parish First Reconciliation and Holy Communion community.

God bless your families,

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Fr. Vipin James
Assistant Priest
St Thomas of Canterbury, Sevenoaks

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