First Forgiveness and
First Communion
Children in primary school, of Year 3, will be invited to make the there First Forgiveness and First Holy Communion.
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You are invited to register your child a place on this program, and this important milestone.
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For Adults wishing to join the Church and make there First Forgiveness and/or First Holy Communion, please contact the Parish Office.
First Forgiveness
First Forgiveness, also known as the Sacrament of Reconciliation or Confession, is a sacrament in which Catholics confess their sins to a priest and receive absolution. It is typically one of the first sacraments that children experience, usually around the age of seven or eight. The process involves examining one's conscience, confessing sins to a priest, performing an act of contrition, receiving penance (a task or prayers to perform as a sign of repentance), and receiving absolution, which forgives the sins. This sacrament emphasizes God's mercy and the importance of seeking forgiveness.
First Communion
First Communion is the sacrament in which a person, typically a child around the age of seven or eight, receives the Eucharist for the first time. The Eucharist, or Holy Communion, is considered the body and blood of Jesus Christ under the appearances of bread and wine. This sacrament is central to Catholic worship and signifies a deepening of the individual's relationship with Christ and the Church community. Preparation for First Communion often includes catechesis (religious instruction) and participation in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
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Both sacraments are milestones in a Catholic's spiritual life, marking important steps in their faith journey and their integration into the Church's sacramental life.
What to Expect during the Sacrament Programme
Classes will take place at Our Ladys Parish Centre
First Forgviness will take place on a Saturday Morning at Our Lady Star of the sea
First Communion will take place during a Special Mass on the follwing Saturday
In a First Communion class, children significance of the Eucharist in the Catholic faith. The classes cover key elements such as understanding the sacrament, the meaning of the bread and wine, the importance of the Last Supper, and how to participate in the Mass.
At a First Forgiveness Mass, children partake in the sacrament of reconciliation for the first time. The service begins with readings, hymns, and prayers focused on the themes of forgiveness and God's mercy. Following this, the children individually confess their sins to a priest in private confessions, receive absolution, and are given a penance to perform.
At a First Communion Mass, receive the Eucharist for the first time, marking a significant milestone in their Catholic faith. The Mass includes traditional elements such as readings, hymns, and prayers, with a special focus on the significance of the Eucharist. The children, often dressed in special attire, participate in the Liturgy of the Eucharist where they receive the consecrated bread and wine, symbolizing the body and blood of Christ.
