The preparation of the young children in Corpus Christi for Holy
Communion is achieved through a collaboration of a number of groups
of people. Firstly, the child's own parents, secondly, the
catechists (either within St. Teresa's School, or within the
parish) and thirdly the parish community as a whole.
The members of these groups in the faith community all come
together to pass on their faith and Church's tradition on the
Eucharist to their young children.
The preparation consists of 11 sessions where the children
together with the catechists consider the many
different gifts with which God has blessed us. Together we
discuss these gifts, explore how we and others are affected by them
and think about how we can show our thanks to God. The
gifts that are discussed are: Creation, Life, Baptism, God's Word,
Friendship, Forgiveness, Peace, Joy, Love and Thankfulness.
Once a month, through this period, all of the children and their
parents join the parish for a special Mass when we focus on one of
the special gifts.
The children are also prepared for the Act of
Reconciliation.
The culmination of our preparation takes place in June when the
children and their families come together for the very special
First Holy Communion Mass.