Child Sacraments through Family in Faith (FiF)
FiF: An ongoing faith journey
Family in Faith (FiF) is offered to all our primary-aged families from year 3. It is not a programme and therefore has no official end date; reflecting our ongoing faith journey. Through FiF, we have put in place regular opportunities for families to understand what it is to be part of the Church, the Body of Christ. Engaging with these opportunities, deepening your own faith and supporting your children to grow in theirs is fundamental to every family’s journey to a closer relationship with Jesus and to the life of the Church.
- We want to support you in your prayer.
- We want to provide a place for you to learn and engage with your faith, as a family.
- We want you to talk about issues that concern you and have more family time together.
Readiness for receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion (FHC)
We do not base ‘readiness’ for receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation and Holy Communion simply on a child reaching the age of 8 (academic Year 3). Receiving the sacraments is not about reaching a certain age – a rite of passage – but about recognising your child’s, and your family’s understanding of what it is to grow in Christ, be part of the Church family and a willingness to participate fully in the Church’s life.
Consequently, it is important for families to journey along FiF (Family in Faith) for a while before even considering preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and FHC.
How will St Alban and St Stephen Parish support you?
The priests and our team of trained catechists will support you in discerning when the time is right for you to prepare your children. We will support you at this time with parent-friendly resources for you to use to prepare your children and help you in how to use them.
Not everyone will be ready at the same time. This will mean celebrating the reception of the sacraments at different times throughout the year. For instance, there will no longer be only one day when everyone comes forward at the same time to receive Holy Communion for the first time. The dates will be mutually decided between us; Reconciliation will often take place on a Saturday morning, where reconciliation is offered to the parish weekly. FHC will take place on a Sunday, at a Mass time of your choosing. Where small groups of children are ready at similar times, we will facilitate them.
In Summary
The Church is here to help. Just like any relationship, the one with Jesus and his Church needs nurturing and supporting so that we can fully experience the life that was offered to us when we were baptised. Through FIF gatherings, Sunday worship, participation in parish life, home prayer and sharing, families will grow in faith and help build a vibrant church.
Journeying along FiF
Saturday family sessions
Families are invited to come along either in the morning (beginning with 10am morning Mass to 12pm) or the afternoon (3pm to 4.30pm finishing with 5pm Sunday Mass). The sessions are engaging, spirit-filled and fun! We enjoy a time of fellowship and refreshment building community with other families, before sharing catechesis and activities related to the JtoR and JtoE materials and end/begin with celebrating mass together.
The child and at least one parent is required, but preferably both parents.
After attending 3/4 Saturday FiF sessions and attending weekly Sunday Mass, you will be invited to discern if your family is ready to embark on the Journey to Reconciliation and FHC.
Please note that the first FiF session will be Saturday 20 September 2025
Parents are instrumental
The Church has always maintained that catechesis, or passing on faith, is the primary responsibility of parents. As your parish family, we are here to work with, support and encourage you in this long-term process. In the Journey to Reconciliation (JtoR), through supportive parent guides and an interactive child book you will lead your child through 11 sessions. Similarly the Journey to the Eucharist (JtoE) – will be 11 parent led sessions.
We can’t pass on what we don’t have!
The Church recognises that for many parents catechesis often ended when they were children. They can lack confidence and be intimidated by passing on what the faith entails to their children. They need help to understand their own faith better and to grow themselves in their relationship with Jesus Christ. We can’t pass on what we don’t have! And all families are different. We know that many parents are not both Catholic and this too can be challenging. FiF is therefore a journey of growth in faith for parents.
Faith Formation for parents
Through the parent guides for Journey to Reconciliation and Journey to Eucharist, together with in person and online sessions that we will provide, you as parents will have the opportunity to refresh, grow and develop in the understanding of your faith, alongside helping to prepare your child. You will be supported every step of the journey.
Join FiF
To register for FiF and to receive regular updates and information about our family catechesis, please use the use the registration button below.
We look forward to welcoming you.
Families will be asked for a donation per child on registration to cover the cost of resources.