Sacramental Programme

Sacramental Programme arrangements for 2026

Here are the arrangements for children to prepare to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion during the first part of 2026.

Although we provide some limited preparation for these Sacraments in church and the school also teaches about the Sacraments, the most important and indispensable preparation has got to be the children coming to Mass regularly and becoming familiar with the Mass and with seeing people coming forward and receiving Holy Communion. This is the responsibility of the parents. If the experience at home is not in harmony with the teaching in church and school, then the whole preparation will be largely ineffectual. What really upsets us is people who turn up for the preparation in church, receive the Sacrament once on their ‘big day’ and then we never see them again and yet this is our experience in the majority of cases every year. If you wish your child to receive these Sacraments please ensure that they can see that coming to Mass is important to you. If they do not see this, nothing will make sense.
It therefore makes most sense if we invite children who come to Mass to join our Sacramental Programme.

The arrangements are as follows.

Wednesday 14 January 2026 7.00pm in church, meeting for parents and carers. This is not a meeting which children should attend. Any parents who cannot attend must contact Fr. Peter in advance to make other arrangements.

Sunday 18th January 2026  9.30am in church. Mass of Enrolment when the children will be enrolled onto the Sacramental Programme. All children must attend.
Sunday 25th January 2026 9.30am in church. Parish celebration of Mass followed by first instruction in preparation for First Reconciliation. Please note that after Mass children and parents need to stay in church for the instruction.
Sunday 1st February 2026  9.30am in church. Parish celebration of Mass followed by second instruction in preparation for First Reconciliation. 
Saturday 7th February 2026 10.00am in church. Celebration of First Reconciliation. This is only for children who have attended the Enrolment Mass and the two parish Masses and the instruction periods after the Masses.

Sunday 1st March 2026 9.30am in church. Parish celebration of Mass followed by first instruction in preparation for receiving Holy Communion for the first time. Please note that after each of these Masses children and parents need to stay in church for the instruction.
Sunday 8th March 2026 9.30am in church. Parish celebration of Mass followed by second instruction.
Sunday 15th March 2026 9.30am in church. Parish celebration of Mass followed by third instruction.
Sunday 22nd March 2026 9.30am in church. Parish celebration of Mass followed by fourth instruction.

Children who have attended every Mass and instruction session will be able to sign up to receive Holy Communion for the First Time at one of the following Masses.
11th April 2026 Saturday Vigil Mass 6.00pm
12th April 2026 Sunday Morning Mass 9.30am
18th April 2026 Saturday Vigil Mass 6.00pm
19th April 2026 Sunday Morning Mass 9.30am
25th April 2026 Saturday Vigil Mass 6.00pm
26th April 2026 Sunday Morning Mass 9.30am