First Sacraments in St Robert's Parish
We are delighted that you have decided to continue the journey of faith for your child following baptism, underlining your fidelity to regular Sunday Mass.
Your child will prepare for and celebrate the sacraments in the following years:
School Year 3 - Sacrament of First Reconciliation
School Year 4 - Sacrament of First Holy Communion
School Year 6 - Sacrament of Confirmation
Please click here to read a letter from Fr Simon and Miss Collins, headteacher of St Robert's School, outlining information for parents who are considering signing their children up for First Sacraments in St Robert's parish.
First Reconciliation Programme 2027
Parents of children in Year 3 and above who regularly attend Mass will invited early in the new year to apply for their child to receive the Sacrament of First Reconciliation. The sacrament will likely be celebrated on a Saturday (date to be confirmed) in March. Preparation sessions for children will take place on Sunday mornings after the 9am Mass on previous Sundays with attendance at all sessions expected. A parent information session will be held at a date to be confirmed some time before the sessions start. If you wish to enrol your child for preparation for First Reconciliation, then forms will be available in the Narthex early in the new year.
First Holy Communion Programme 2027
Parents of children in Year 4 and above who regularly attend mass and have made their First Reconciliation will be invited to make an application for the Sacrament of Holy Communion in 2027. The programme will begin with a parents evening at a date to be confirmed in March/April in the parish centre. Catechesis sessions will take place at a date and time also to be confirmed. As last year, children will be invited to celebrate their first holy communion on a particular weekend (date to be confirmed) at the Mass they normally attend. Then there will be a plenary Mass of celebration the weekend after at which the children will wear their first communion clothes. There will be a joint celebration after this plenary Mass. The programme is the fruit of recent years experience and feedback from parents.
For children to make their First Holy Communion in 2027 they must have made the Sacrament of Reconciliation in 2026 or earlier.
Confirmation 2027
Children in Year 6 and above and, who have made their First Holy Communion and regularly practise their faith, will be invited to apply to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation early in the new year with details available in Advent. The Sacrament will be conferred upon our young people by Fr Simon at a date to be confirmed in March - usually a mid week evening Mass. To help candidates to prepare to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, two preparation sessions will be held sometime in February on dates to be promulgate - they are normally held on a Sunday afternoon from 1–5pm. All children who regularly attend Mass at St Robert's will be invited, at the end of 2026, to collect an application form from the Narthex. Forms will be due into the office before Christmas.
Many thanks to all our catechists for the time and dedication they give to the First Sacraments and Confirmation programmes in 2026!
