Preparing to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion for the first time can be one of the most memorable experiences parents share with their children.

The FHC programme in Guildford aims to support and enable parents to live out their calling as the first teachers of the faith for their children.
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The objectives of the programme are to:
  • - Support parents in preparing their children to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion.
  • - Encourage greater openness to having conversations of faith at home.
  • - Integrate families into the wider parish community.
  • - Integrate the children into an ongoing youth programme.
  • - Encourage parents to engage with other formation on offer and support activities and courses in the Parish.
Those who are registered on the database, with a child who will be in year 3 - 5 this September, will have been sent an invitation to join the programme.  If you have not received this email and are registered on the database, with a child the correct age (in years 3 - 5), then do contact us here.
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The 2022 programme

​FAQ's
Why are there no classes dedicated to just my children?
The Church teaches that parents the best and first teachers of the faith for their children, so this programme aims to support and enable parents to live out this calling. Therefore it is focused on supporting parents to prepare their children to receive the sacraments. It is also a matter of resourcing. Our parish is one of the biggest in the Diocese with over 150 families on the programme each year. We would not be able to offer dedicated classes for the children as well as the parents.

So, what is there specifically for my child?
We believe strongly that all children and young people are just as important as adults in our parish. So we have a dedicated youth ministry which is a very unique offering in our parish and beyond. Fearless, which is our weekly youth group is for school years 3-6, is a wonderful opportunity to meet, make friends and build community with other children preparing for their first Holy Communion, as well as slightly older children who have already experienced it. It is optional to attend Fearless but strongly recommended.
We also have Family Days, which are an essential part of the course. Also each week we produce a Family Liturgy, which you can watch at home and is a great way to share faith together.  During the programme, you will work through family handouts together with your child, sharing what you've explored in the parent sessions.

When does my child meet the priests or learn from the priests?
Previously we have had the opportunity to meet, learn from and ask the priests questions at family-focused Masses once a month. We have some provisional dates for arranging this during this year's programme but it will of course be dependent on the impact of the pandemic on Mass availability.

Does my child need to receive First Holy Communion, to be accepted into St Peter's Secondary School, Guildford?
No. St Peter's, as well as All Hallows (Farnham), St John the Baptist (Woking) and St Andrews (Leatherhead) only require proof of Baptism.

Do I need to go to Mass regularly to join this course?
This is strongly advised. Regularly attending Mass is the best preparation for receiving the sacraments.  So if going to Mass weekly is not part of your regular practise please look at how you can make it an important part of your week. 
There are currently 8 weekend Masses across the parish:
Saturday 10am @ St Joseph's, 5.30pm @ St Mary's, 7pm @ St Pius X
Sundays 8.30am Mass @ St Edwards, 9.30am Mass @ St Pius X, 10am @ St Joseph's, 11.30am Mass @ St Mary's, 5pm @ St Joseph's.
You are welcome to sign up to attend Mass here. If you can't attend Mass one week, you can always join the Mass from home via the live stream.   
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​What the programme involves

​Parents are the first and best teachers in the Faith and they are guided through the preparation by the Children, Youth and Families Team to give them the tools and confidence to pass on the faith to their children.

​Please be aware that due to the pandemic situation, things may be a little different this year.  Below is an explanation of the main elements of the programme. We will endeavour to make sure that your family's experience is as rich and fruitful as usual but due to the changing circumstances things may need to be different to previous years.  If you think it would be best for your family to wait till next year, when things may be able to return to normal, then please do feel free to.
FEARLESS
just for children
Children in Year 3 and above are encouraged to join our weekly youth formation group Fearless, held during term time either via zoom or in-person from 5pm.

​We have found that children preparing for First Holy Communion particularly benefit from joining Fearless as it really helps to grow their faith and integrate into the community with their peers.
MASS
BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY
Families are encouraged to attend Mass weekly, either by signing up to attend Mass in person or via the live stream

Family Focused Masses
These are provisionally scheduled to be once a month.  We will confirm whether they can go ahead nearer the time.

Taught Mass
Towards the end of the programme, there is a taught Mass.  Different aspects of the Mass are explained by the Priests, while Mass is celebrated.
FAMILY DAYS
BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY
These are fun ways to dig a bit deeper into the faith and teaching of the church. The hall is decorated beautifully and families explore the different interactive stations together in their own time.
​The activities run all day so families can book a time that suits them and stay for as long or as little as they like.
FAMILY HANDOUTS
FOR PARENTS & CHILDREN
At the beginning of the programme you will be sent 7 colourful, engaging handouts to work through each month with your child.  The content on the handouts is covered at the parent sessions.
The handouts are a great way to begin conversations about faith at home & to prepare for Holy Communion.
PARENT SESSIONS
just for parents
We ask parents to join us for 7 parents’ sessions, which will be held on Zoom this year. At these sessions we will go through the story we would like you to share with your child at home giving you an opportunity to reflect on the topics with your peers first.
It is essential that a parent or guardian for each child attends each of these meetings.

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