FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2026 – Planned for Saturday 13th June 2026, for children who will start their preparation in January 2026.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION – Parents of children in Year 3 in Holy Cross School or any other local school wishing their child to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion for the first time in June 2026, must attend a meeting in Holy Cross Church on 23rd October at 6pm.
For Children NOT in Holy Cross School. This year there will be instruction in the months of January – May immediately prior to the First Holy Communion Day itself (Saturday 13th June at 12 noon & 3pm). This instruction will be led by parish catechists. It will take place on five Saturday mornings beginning with the 10am parish Mass and continuing in the Fr Berry room until 12.00 noon on the following dates: 10th January, 7th February, 7th March, 18th April, and 2nd May 2026. (tbc) In these five sessions instruction will be given in the following topic areas: Baptism and the Sacraments – the seven sacraments. The children will be using the book “I belong” (supplied free by the parish) and parents will be expected to help their children at home in completing chapters of the book, not finished in class. Candidates will be expected to attend all sessions and as many Sunday masses as they can throughout January – June. * Confession is scheduled for Lent 2026, Reconciliation Sacrament celebration Reconciliation Service in church followed by Confessions– Year Three and families. For children enrolled in the Saturday First Holy Communion Class – they will make their confessions on Saturday morning 7th March, after the class.
It is planned that on the day there will be two Masses, the first at 12 noon the second at 3pm. Parents will be informed by letter of these arrangements. For further information please contact Fr Neil on 01213512161 or by email fr.neil.bayliss@rcaob.org.uk .
List of Children for First Holy Communion June 13th 2026 – tba
Invitation to May Procession. Dear Parents/Guardians, I write to invite you and your children to the May procession at 3pm on Sunday 3rd May 2026, (tbc) when we will be crowning a statue of Our Lady and processing her into the Presbytery gardens. Like years past I propose that for all First Holy Communion children there will be a ‘starring role’ to be played towards the end of the service. We will as usual start in the Church and process from there to the gardens. During this procession which the First Holy Communion children will follow the servers and scatter petals before Our Lady that the rest of the congregation will then walk over. There will be refreshments at the end of the service (Tea and cakes!). I know that it is a weekend and you may have plans for the family already, but I do hope that you will be able to attend and will allow your child to take place in this activity. Yours sincerely in Christ, Fr Neil Bayliss Parish Priest.