Parents are invited to attend Baptism Preparation either before or after the birth of their baby.
Preparation takes place on one Wednesday a month, the date will be found in the newsletter.
These informal classes take place in the R.E. Centre in Dorset Road at 7.30 p.m.
Parents will receive a welcome pack, and we will have some discussion about the sacrament itself,
the symbols of Baptism and 'who are godparents?'
We will be looking at the making of a Christian home, our schools and nurseries,
and have a walk through the ceremony itself, in the church.
To arrange to attend presentation please contact the Catechetical Coordinator Isobel on 01753 730018 or e-mail isobelyoung-stedwards@hotmail.co.uk
We believe firmly in the involvement of the parents in Sacramental Preparation,
especially the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion.
Parents should register their child for the preparation, by the end of August at the very latest,
and children should be in Year 3 of their schooling.
Letters are sent out to those children attending St Edward’s First School,
otherwise registration is via the contact below.
Parents will be required to attend four parents meetings over the preparation time.
For First Communion, we use the programme ‘I Belong’, which is endorsed by Bishop Crispian.
The children prepare for both sacraments on Saturday mornings in the Parish Centre,
between 10.00 a.m. and 12 mid-day and
Fr Michael comes in to visit the children during the morning.
The timetable is worked around the 3 school terms. We always end with prayer and song in our ‘Sacred Space’.
First Reconciliation takes place in December, following four sessions of preparation and a rehearsal.
First Communion takes place in May, on a Saturday, followed by Communion Breakfast.
To register your children, please contact the Catechetical Coordinator Isobel on 01753 730018
or e-mail isobelyoung-stedwards@hotmail.co.uk
Confirmation is celebrated usually in the autumn and candidates will be preparing once a month
on a Tuesday evening in the R.E. Centre from 7.30-9.00 p.m.
There is no one programme that fits all with this age group, we use worksheets with the young people,
and the preparation is more discussion based, than writing down!
We have a Reflection on Baptism about half way through the programme, and the timetable is worked around the school terms.
Parents are asked to attend three parents meetings during the time of preparation.
Candidates should be in year 9 of their schooling.
Invitation for application is by letter to each young person who made their First Communion in this parish,
or via the Newsletter.
Fr Michael will send a letter and application form to each enquiry.
Fr Michael comes in to spend some time with the candidates on most evenings.
To register your young person, please contact the Catechetical Coordinator Isobel on 01753 730018
or e-mail isobelyoung-stedwards@hotmail.co.uk
On behalf of our parish community I thank Kathy and Keith Arundale who organise the Marriage Preparation courses in our parish.
Kathy would dearly welcome any volunteers who could use their gifts and talents by joining the Marriage Preparation Team.
Please contact Kathy on 01753 851878 or the Presbytery. Dates of the next Marriage Preparation: 1st, 8th, 15th and 19th April.
All couples getting married in Church are required to attend Marriage Preparation before their Wedding Day.
Parents please bring this to the attention of those concerned.