served by the Assumptionist Fathers (AA)
|
|
Our Lady Immaculate & St Andrew | ||
| Roman Catholic Church, Hitchin served by the Assumptionist Fathers (AA) |
|||
|
Pastoral Office: |
Reconciliation and Communion at Our Lady Immaculate
& St Andrew In the light of what has come from our Bishops' Conference and reflecting on the Directives for Catechetical Care for our Young People, we are trying to build a living Faith Community. To do this we start by recognising the unique value of each person who is part of the Family of our Parish.
In the context of our preparations for the Sacraments, this means that we need to consider how to develop further, the links which exist between the Home, the Parish and our School. Partnership means that WE WORK TOGETHER for a common good purpose. The Home is the MOST IMPORTANT SETTING in which to nurture our Faith. It is within the Home that children should first experience something of God and His Love.
Parents are the PRIMARY EDUCATORS OF THEIR CHILDREN WITH RESPECT TO THEIR FAITH. When the Child was baptised, parents made a promise to nurture the Faith in their Child's life.
As the Baptismal Service blessing reminds parents, that after being the first teachers, they are invited to be "the best of teachers in the ways of Faith."
So the role of Parents, Guardians and Godparents is the key to the well-being of the Child in its Faith Journey. Parents will therefore be asked to take a very active part in the time of preparation. The series of Meetings that are planned will offer every support to Parents in this work.
The Parish has a major part to play too, in this work, through prayer and interest and offer any resources, which may be necessary to help in this work.
The School has a vital part to play in the life of the Parish and also therefore in the Faith Education of the Children. The School will seek to reinforce and strengthen what is proclaimed in the Home and Parish as well as going in more depth into the meaning of the Sacraments and how they are important for living our lives as Parishioners and into Adult Life. The School will provide what help it can, in ways that are appropriate to its sphere of activity.
We consider children who are in Year 3 of Primary School, as being possible candidates for these Sacraments. Our Policy is in the process of development, but for the present we work as follows:
Towards the end of the School Year preceding year 3, a Notice is placed in the Parish Newsletter, inviting Families with children of that age to consider applying for the Preparation Course, by attending an initial Meeting, which will be held in early September, to discuss what is planned and how Parents will be involved in working with their Children.
An Application Form is given out at the end of the Meeting and returned, if and when the Family feel ready to make the journey with their child. The List is closed once the Mass of Welcome on to the Programme has taken place.
From September to Christmas we would be looking at Reconciliation, with celebrations probably in the following Lent.
The Course is primarily addressed to Parents to help deepen awareness of the richness of our Faith. There is a basic module to introduce the theological ideas behind the word 'sacrament'. Two short courses are given in the new year for Reconciliation and Communion. Books are available to suit the age and maturity of your child(ren). Parents work with the child at home and this work is complemented by the School. For children in non-Catholic schools we have a Catechist who works on Sunday mornings from january to May at 10am.
Towards the end of each Course, we will set up Family Chat Times to see how things are going and if anything else needs to be done to help the child deepens his/her Faith. The Celebration of the Sacraments would be decided at that time, after discussion with Fr Michael and the Catechist(s)
During the period of preparation it would be good to involve the child's Godparents in the work that is being done, they could attend the meetings, especially when parents are unable to do so. They should be with the child at the Celebrations of the Sacraments, especially Holy Communion, when parents and children renew their Baptismal Promises.
We welcome the involvement of other family members who feel they would like to contribute something: helping with the work, the Meetings, through prayer and support in as many ways as seem appropriate.
For Communion: once we have decided together that the child is ready, then we would encourage the child to make its first Communion quietly with its own Family, as a Personal (Family) Communion.
There would then be a series of Parish Welcome Masses, at any of the Sunday Masses, in groups.Once all parish Communions are celebrated we would then have a Mass of Thanksgiving for the whole Group, with a Distribution of Certificates and taking of Photographs. This Mass would be on a Sunday afternoon at a special Mass at 2pm - usually in July.
Parents who wish to work with children in the future are most cordially invited to offer themselves for training.
| |
|
 |
|||