The Sacrament of the Eucharist

In the greatest sacrament, the Eucharist, Christ does not just give us his gifts, he gives us himself, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, to bring us closer to God.

Children's First Holy Communion Preparation

A child’s preparation for their first Reconciliation and first Holy Communion is a very important stage on their journey of faith. Parents and carers are the main teachers of faith to their children, and our priests and catechists want to support parents and carers in their faith.

How do I enrol my child for the preparation programme?

Registration for the 2022-3 programme has closed. Please check back in the summer/autumn of 2023 for information about the 2023-4 programme. 

When can my child make their first Holy Communion?

Our first Reconciliation and first Holy Communion programme is open to children in school Year 3 and above.  

Children participate in the programme to learn about their faith and then they make their first Holy Communion at the end of the programme, in early Summer. 

When and where does the preparation programme take place?

• For families attending St Peter’s, Witterings, the sessions take place at St Peter’s Church on Sunday morning.
• ​For families attending St Wilfrid's, Selsey, the sessions will take place on Wednesday afternoons. 
• For all other families, sessions take place on Saturdays at St Richard's
  In each church, with each preparation session, there is an associated First Holy Communion Preparation Sunday Mass. 

​What happens during the sessions? 

We use a programme called Growing Up Catholic. It gives parents/carers the opportunity to teach their own children and discuss their faith with them, with support and guidance from catechists.