Faith Education and Sacramental Programmes

Sacramental Programmes for Children

First Confession, First Holy Communion and Confirmation

St Joseph's school provides a Catholic ethos in which the children develop their faith and are prepared during year 3 for the Sacrament of First Holy Communion (Eucharist) and First Reconciliation. Children who already regularly receive these Sacraments by Year 6 are prepared for the Sacrament of Confirmation. The staff at the school and Parish Catechist and formation teachers have worked closely to ensure children receive similar preparation.

Children attending non-Catholic schools receive instruction from Catechists and voluntary help who are all DBS cleared in groups broadly the same peer group as the school cohorts and indeed both groups of families meet during the preparation periods for combined sessions and receive the Holy Sacraments at the same time.

Children's preparation for First Holy Communion and First Reconciliation commences in January each year with weekly classes where children and their parents meet with the parish catechist, and attend Sunday Mass together. Older children receiving Confirmation instruction and their parents meet weekly beginning in July with a break for August with "home study" and continuing in September to further explore their faith again joining with the school group for combined sessions. The Confirmation service is usually held in December.

Missed sacraments: it is possible for young people who have missed the usual age for these Sacraments to be catechized at different times just speak to our Parish Priest or Catechist if you would like to know more.

Contacts: Parish Priest; Headteacher of St. Joseph’s School.

Journey in Faith

Are you looking to explore the Catholic faith? Are you wondering about your relationship with God but are not sure where to start? The Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart and St Catherine of Alexandria welcomes everyone to come and visit us or worship with us. You do not need to be a baptised Catholic to walk through the doors of our church or to stay and pray during Mass. We are very happy that you have come to visit us. If you are interested in becoming a Catholic or would like to find out more about the Catholic faith, we invite you to join us on a journey of discovery and see how the Catholic Church can help your relationship with God to grow. This may be the right path for you. There is a period of instruction and preparation before a person is received into the Catholic Church. This is called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). We will begin our RCIA sessions at the end of September. If you would like to explore the RCIA process or find out more, please speak to Fr George Mathew, the Parish Priest. We look forward to welcoming you!

Other Sacraments

Baptisms, Marriages, and Funerals

When You are Sick or Housebound: Being Cared for by the Church Family

 Mass and Liturgy Times

Contacts