First Holy Communion

The First Holy Communion preparation in our parish is led by parents, as they are the first teachers of their children, with the guidance of Fr Jonathan and the support of a course leader.

We gather parents and children for monthly sessions on Saturday afternoons and on these weekends there is a special welcome at Mass for children preparing for the sacraments, and their families.

We start our programme in September by gathering for an enrolment Mass at which we make special promises and commit to following the course. After preparation we celebrate First Reconciliation around Easter time and the First Holy Communion Masses in May.

We use the ‘Growing Up Catholic’ course to learn about and prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Sacrament of the Eucharist. This series of colourful booklets includes activities for children and helpful notes for parents.

We would be delighted to welcome you to the programme and help you prepare your child for such an important step in life. Registration for the new course starts in the summer when your child is in school year 3, and information is sent out via the parish newsletter. Meanwhile, if you have any queries, please email Anne, the course leader: communionatsteds@gmail.com or speak to Fr Jonathan.

Preparation for First Holy Communion includes four Sycamore sessions for parents, each of which will run twice. These provide an opportunity for parents to grow in their own faith and gain a richer understanding of the mysteries that they wish their children to share. It is expected that at least one parent will attend each session, but we'd be delighted if other are able to come along to one or the other. We hope that you will enjoy them.

Sessions will take place (unless otherwise notified) at 19 Croft Road, Godalming. One will be a Saturday Breakfast session (coffee and a bap or something like that provided) and the other on a Thursday evening with some light refreshments. You don't need to bring anything other than yourself. Please allow an hour and a half.

An updated calendar (v2) can be downloaded below that has all the dates for you to print off.

The links below will take you directly to the entries in parish calendar. Please use them to sign up so that enough food can be provided. We will also use these sign ups to let you know if there are any late changes.

Round 1. Power of Prayer. 1st October 8.30am and again on 6th October 8.00pm.

Round 2. The Holy Spirit and the Church. 12th November 8.30am and again on 17th November 8.00pm

Round 3. Forgiveness, Healing and Mission. 7th January 8.30am and again on 12th January 8.00pm

Round 4. The Eucharist. 25th March 8.30am and again on 30th March 8.00pm.

There are some other sycamore sessions running at St Edmund's School on a Friday morning that are part of a different project.

We look forward to welcoming the children to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time in the New Year and will once again do this in small groups of about 6 or 7 families at St Edmund's Church on the afternoons of 4th & 11th February. We hope that their parents and older siblings may also wish to celebrate this wonderful sacrament on the same day.

To help things run smoothly please book one of the following times using the links provided below, or through the parish calendar. Each celebration usually lasts about 45 minutes.

4th February at 1.30pm

4th February at 2.30pm

4th February at 3.30pm

11th February at 1.30pm

11th February at 2.30pm

11th February at 3.30pm

Following meetings for parents, the first session and enrolment at Mass registration for 2022/23 is now closed.

This year we are asking each child/family to take on particular roles at two of the special Masses. We are piloting the use of signup genius for this. Please use this link to take you to the page.

Children preparing for First Holy Communion should be in school Year 4 (or above) in September 2022.

A copy of the child's baptism certificate will be needed for children baptised outside the parish.