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 2. It is not a programme and therefore has no beginning and end date; this reflects 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 provide a place for you to learn and engage with your faith, as a family.
- We want to support you in your prayer.
- 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 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 parish 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, supported by catechists.
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 take place on a Saturday morning, where reonciliation is offered weekly. FHC will take place on a Sunday, at the time of the Mass which is usually attended by the family. Where small groups of children are ready at similar times, we would welcome them celebrating the sacraments together so that they can share the celebration with one another, their families and the parish community.
When seeking the sacraments for your child, FiF is for you. Encouraging you to pray, talk about faith issues, and have more family time together is good, but we believe it is not enough.
We want to provide a place for you to learn what engaging with your faith actually looks like and then give you the opportunity to do it!
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 and service and at home prayer and sharing, families grow in faith and help build a vibrant church.
This is what FiF is all about. We are looking forward to supporting you as you grow in faith yourselves and in your role as evangelisers of your family.
Journeying along FiF
Saturday family sessions
Families are invited to come along on the first Saturday of the month (mostly) either in the morning (beginning with 10am morning Mass to 12pm) or the afternoon (4.15pm to 6pm finishing with 6pm 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. Each month we explore a different topic.
The child and at least one parent is required, but preferably both parents.
We want to encourage you to:
- participate in the life of the Church and grow in the community of the Church by gathering every Sunday to worship God in the celebration of Mass;
- spend time at home when you pray together as a family;
- participate in parish activities, for example: ministry, visiting the sick, reading at Mass etc.
These things show your willingness to be full members of the community and a desire for your faith to grow.
After attending 4/5 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 5 October 2024
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
Prior to starting the JtoR, we offer four online sessions of the Sycamore course for parents with catechists to explore our faith. These are called Monthly Mondays.
These sessions are designed, to help parents grow in their own faith, enabling them to lead their family on their journey of faith.
The four sessions are:
- The Power of Prayer
- The Holy Spirit and the Church
- Forgiveness, Healing and Mission
- The Holy Eucharist
Please note that the first session will commence on Monday 21 October 2024 from 8pm to 9.15pm
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.