Sacraments

At St. Chad's our Catholic children receive three important Sacraments during their time with us:

• The Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion are normally received in Year 3.
• The Sacrament of Confirmation is normally received in Year 6.

Children normally attend a special service of commitment (enrolment) with their parents or carers before starting their preparation for receiving these sacraments and special Masses are led by and held for the Sacramental classes throughout the year. Special prayers are also said for the children every week at Mass and in class, and prayer bags are normally sent home so that families can share in and support the preparation of their children for the sacraments. Displays are placed in the church so that parishioners can pray for the children as they prepare to receive the sacraments.

Sacramental preparation is supported and provided by school, parents and our parish priest working and meeting together. Regular parent meetings are normally held by the school and our parish priest to ensure that parents are fully involved in these special events in their child's life.

The children develop an excellent understanding of how receiving the sacraments brings an even closer relationship between themselves and God.

Reconciliation and Holy Communion

In Year 3, baptised Catholic children receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion, usually in May or June.

All children in Year 3 are included in the preparation for and celebration of the sacraments and our inclusive ethos ensures that those children who are not baptised Catholics are enabled to participate as fully as possible in supporting their classmates during the programme.

These beautiful sacraments are widely celebrated by the entire school and parish community.

First Holy Communion Children.		First Holy Communion board in Church.
All children in Year 3 join in the celebrations.		First Holy Communion cake.

Confirmation

Catholic children in Year 6 receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, normally in July.

Once again, there are meetings between school, parents and our parish priest in order to assist parents with preparing their children for this special event in their child's life. A full preparation programme is taught in school and all of the children in class take part in the sessions.

Non-Catholic children are included fully and enjoy learning all about the Sacrament and helping their friends to prepare for this very special moment in their faith lives.