Sacraments

Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.

At FCJ Primary School, we lead a First Holy Communion programme for our Year 4 pupils. We are grateful to Canon Dominic who has entrusted the privilege and responsibility for preparing our children for the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist, to the Catholic schools on our Island. We refer to the formal reception of these sacraments for the first time as ‘making’ their First Holy Communion and First Reconciliation.  Making First Holy Communion consist of a final celebration of Mass at the end of the preparation, during which the children will formally receive the Sacrament for the first time. Children will make their first Reconciliation during school time, with the assistance of the priests from the Parish.

At FCJ Primary School, we have adapted the programme ‘Blessed’ for use within the classroom. Each lesson has the same 5 elements; a time of prayer, an opportunity to read and explore, time to watch and discuss short video clips, an opportunity to ‘show what you know’ and some quiet time to ‘Journal with Jesus’.

This programme meets children where they are and leads them, step-by-step, to where God is calling them to be.  Each week we deliver the content within our RE lessons, allowing the children to explore the Sacraments and grow deeper in their faith journey.

Week One

1. First Reconciliation is one of many great moments in your journey with God.
2. You are blessed. Few things bring more joy in life than expressing gratitude.
3. The Eucharist is one of life’s greatest blessings.
4. Going to a Mass on Sunday is a great way to show God we are grateful for all our blessings.

Week Two

1. God has given us free will and he wants us to become great decision makers. 
2. Mass is the most amazing event on earth.
3. Spending time with God fills us with grace so that we can live holy lives.
4. Learning to listen to God’s voice is one of life’s greatest lessons.

Week Three

1. Jesus invites us to have a dynamic and personal relationship with him, so that he can share his happiness with us and we can share it with others.
2. God reveals his amazing plan for our lives, through the Bible and Mass on Sunday.
3. Jesus is the greatest teacher who ever lived.
4. We gather at church with our family, friends, and all our parish family to worship God.

Week Four

1.  In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, God proves that he is always willing to forgive you.
2. Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist.
3. The Eucharist is food for our souls.
4. Holy Communion is a lifelong blessing we should never take for granted

Week Five

1. No matter how far you may wander from God, he will never stop searching for you and he will never stop encouraging you to become the-best-version-of-yourself
2. Your child is ready to say “yes” to God and receive his or her First Communion.
3. The Eucharist empowers us to do great things for God.
4. God is always inviting us to share in the great celebration of the Mass.

Week Six

1. Great habits help you become the-best-version-of-yourself.
2. Prayer helps you hear God’s voice and gives you courage to do what he is inviting you to do.
3. Expressing gratitude for God’s blessings fills you with joy.
4.  God created each of us with a purpose.

A Google Classroom is created for all families to join.  Further materials and resources are posted, to enable parents to support their child at home. Support materials called ‘Focus, Act and Pray’ enable families to gather and reflect together.

The children will record their ideas and reflections in a special book which they bring home to share with families at the end of the programme. This book is a treasured keepsake of this special journey.