Receiving Holy Communion
The Sacrament of the Eucharist
Sacrament schedule 2024/5
Confirmation
First Reconciliation and Holy Communion
Application forms 2024/5
Confirmation
First Reconciliation and Holy Communion
Preparation for the Sacrament of 1st Holy Communion.
All children who do not attend St Mary’s School please contact Clare St John (Parish Catechist) or the Parish Office..
Parnts of St Mary’s children please do not contact the school. The school will send you the required information.
First Holy Communion
Preparation for First Holy Communion follows on from, and takes the same format as the preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Parents and their children will be asked to publicly request this Sacrament at one of the Sunday Masses and then to attend the series of preparation classes.
If they are not already regular Sunday Mass goers, they will be asked to attend weekend Masses regularly so that they and their child may gain the full spiritual benefit from this Sacrament.
Registration, requesting the sacrament and attendance at the preparation classes are compulsory.
There is a small fee, payable on booking, to cover the cost of the book that forms the back-bone of the preparation course.
Receiving Holy Communion
The Catholic Church recommends that the faithful receive Holy Communion each time that they participate in the Sacrifice of the Mass and obliges them to do so at least once a year (Catechism 1417). However, the Church also stipulates that the recipient must be in a state of grace and that anyone aware of having sinned mortally must not receive Holy Communion without having received absolution through the Sacrament of Reconciliation (1415 and 1457). Members of the congregation who are not Catholics or who are Catholics but are unable to receive Holy Communion for some reason or children who have not yet made their First Holy Communion are welcome to approach the sanctuary for a blessing.
If you are coming up for a blessing, please indicate this by placing your hand on the opposite shoulder when approaching the priest, deacon or Extraordinary Minister. Catholics who do approach the sanctuary to receive Holy Communion are asked to make some gesture of reverence, usually a genuflection, before receiving the Body of the Lord Jesus Christ.
If you are unable to approach the sanctuary steps but would wish to receive Holy Communion you are requested to sit in either of the front pews which are normally reserved for sick, frail, aged or infirm parishioners. Please inform one of the Ushers that you would like to receive Holy Communion so that they can pass this on to whoever is the Master of Ceremonies at that particular Mass.
Sick and Housebound
A number of the Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist take Holy Communion to the sick or housebound who are unable to attend church and participate in the Sacrifice of the Mass. If you, or if someone you know, cannot come to Mass and would like to receive Holy Communion at home or in one of the nursing homes in the parish, please contact the parish office know so that arrangements can be made.
In keeping with the requirements of the diocese, all Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist who visit vulnerable adults are DBS checked.
The Catholic Church recommends that the faithful receive Holy Communion each time that they participate in the Sacrifice of the Mass and obliges them to do so at least once a year (Catechism 1417). However, the Church also stipulates that the recipient must be in a state of grace and that anyone aware of having sinned mortally must not receive Holy Communion without having received absolution through the Sacrament of Reconciliation (1415 and 1457). Members of the congregation who are not Catholics or who are Catholics but are unable to receive Holy Communion for some reason or children who have not yet made their First Holy Communion are welcome to approach the sanctuary for a blessing.
If you are coming up for a blessing, please indicate this by placing your hand on the opposite shoulder when approaching the priest, deacon or Extraordinary Minister. Catholics who do approach the sanctuary to receive Holy Communion are asked to make some gesture of reverence, usually a genuflection, before receiving the Body of the Lord Jesus Christ.
If you are unable to approach the sanctuary steps but would wish to receive Holy Communion you are requested to sit in either of the front pews which are normally reserved for sick, frail, aged or infirm parishioners. Please inform one of the Ushers that you would like to receive Holy Communion so that they can pass this on to whoever is the Master of Ceremonies at that particular Mass.
Sick and Housebound
A number of the Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist take Holy Communion to the sick or housebound who are unable to attend church and participate in the Sacrifice of the Mass. If you, or if someone you know, cannot come to Mass and would like to receive Holy Communion at home or in one of the nursing homes in the parish, please contact the parish office know so that arrangements can be made.
In keeping with the requirements of the diocese, all Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist who visit vulnerable adults are DBS checked.