Reconciliation: Children

Times for Confession at St Joseph’s

Confessions are heard on Saturdays 11.00am-12.00pm, and 5.00-5.45pm or on request.

Your role as parents

Reconciliation is a special sacrament of healing and forgiveness. It will help your children grow in awareness of the choices they make and enable them to feel closer to God.

The parish recognises that you are the primary educators of your children in their faith and we look forward to accompanying you and your family as you prepare for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion, which are important steps in the life of your child.

As parent, you have the most important role in the preparation process, which is primarily to:

  • accompany your child to Mass
  • pray for and with your child
  • witness to your faith by family lifestyle and conversation
  • attend the diarised catechetical sessions with them

Your support and encouragement during the process is vital to the Catechists and to your child’s faith development. Sports events, parties and other such competing attractions must come second to First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion Preparation.

Reconciliation preparation course

We want your child to enjoy this preparation time and ask you to look on it as an opportunity for your family, to grow in faith and in your knowledge and love of God, together.

Each child must be accompanied by a parent or grandparent, and not a friend of the family. It is important that families attend all sessions. You and your child are asked to plan ahead to ensure that this happens.

If your child is unwell or there is a valid reason why you cannot attend, please let your catechist know. You will be provided with your child’s resources, and asked to complete the preparation work at home.

For child protection purposes, a register will be taken at each session and if your child misses two sessions in a term, you will be asked to contact Fr Peter to discuss this.

Sessions will begin on time. We ask everyone to be punctual for all sessions. If you arrive late, you not only disrupt the class but you miss a vital part of the course.

All the resources you and your child need will be provided. It is essential that each family brings their Bible, folder, pencils and prayer book to every session and that you encourage your child to use their Little Missal during Mass.

Please support the catechists as much as possible; they give their time freely to support you and your children and this preparation course cannot be provided without their time and effort. Kindly remember that on Sundays we are guests at Holy Trinity Convent and should treat the convent and the grounds with respect.

All follow-up activities should be completed at home. This is a vital part of the process – giving you and your child an opportunity for quiet time together with each other and with God.

For any further guidance or help, please contact your catechist or speak to them at the end of your weekly sessions.