First Holy Communion

27th August 2026

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I hope this finds you well. This letter is to give you advance notice and important details regarding this years First Holy Communion programme, which will begin on 10th October 2026 for our linked parishes mainly in St Augustine of Canterbury, but see list attached for dates in other churches. As parents and guardians, you have been entrusted by God with the beautiful responsibility of helping your child grow in the Gospel virtues of faith, hope, and love.

Who is this year’s First Holy Communion programme for?

This programme is offered to practising Catholic children who live and worship in the parishes of Holy Name, Our Lady Immaculate and St Augustine of Canterbury and who are currently in year 3 or above (primary school only). As parents and guardians you should be prepared to support your child by ensuring they attend every session and be regularly attending Mass with them. If you live outside our parish please contact your local Parish Priest for permission to join our programme prior to enrolment. The children will be given a mass attendance card to be signed by a priest or one of the catechist after each weekend mass.

How does the Programme run?

Our Programme involves sessions for both children and for parents. At Baptism you were reminded that you are the first and most important teachers of your child in the ways of faith, we hope very much to help you in this and much of the course will be expected to be delivered with you and your child in the setting of the family home.

There will be 16 mandatory sessions (including one evening where your child will receive their first Reconciliation) These will run from 10th October 2026 to 8th May 2027. All sessions will begin promptly at 9:30am and end at 11am, please arrive before this to register your child at each session. Sessions will take place in the Church of St Augustine of Canterbury, however please check the schedule attached as some sessions are at the other churches. You and your child will be expected to attend all the sessions to be considered to have completed the course and be ready to receive First Holy Communion next year. Regular Mass attendance at the weekend is also an integral part of the programme.

How do I enrol my child?

An Application form (for each child) should be completed and returned to the Parish Office as soon as possible with a £30 contribution per child enclosed (cash or cheque made payable to "Our Lady Immaculate Church.") Applications may not be accepted after the closing date of Friday 27th September 2026. Please do contact myself, Fr Barto, or the parish office personally if you would like assistance in making the contribution.

A copy of your child's baptism certificate must be attached to the application form if they were not baptised in one of the Linked Parish Churches.

There is a parents meeting on 2nd October 2026 at 7pm at Our Lady Immaculate. This is a mandatory session for all parents to attend.

This year’s First Holy Communion sessions start from 10th October 2026 as follows:

• 10th Oct – 9:30am until 11am – Session 1 - SA

• 17th Oct - 9:30am until 11am – Session 2- SA

• 14th Nov - 9:30am until 11am – Session 3- SA

• 28th Nov – 9:30am until 11am – Session 4- SA

• 5th Dec - 9:30am until 11am – Session 5- OLI

• 19th Dec – 9:30am until 11am – Session 6 - SA

• 16th Jan - 9:30am until 11am – Session 7- SA

• 30th Jan - 9:30am until 11am – Session 8- SA

• 13th Feb - 9:30am until 11am – Session 9- SA

• 27th Feb - 9:30am until 11am – Session 10 - HN

• 13th March - 9:30am until 11am – Session 11- SA

• 16th March 7pm First Reconciliation - OLI

• 20th March - 9:30am until 11am – Session 12- SA

• 10th April - 9:30am until 11am – Session 13- OLI

• 24th April - 9:30am until 11am – Session 14 - OLI

• 8th May - 9:30am until 11am – Session 15- SA

It is important that your child attends all sessions. If you as a family are unable to commit all the above dates for this year, there will another programme taking place next year, which may work better for your family. Please discuss this with Fr Barto.

First Holy Communion Masses First Holy Communion this year will take place on one day which is the 22nd May 2027 at one of the three churches as follows:

• 22nd May – 12 Noon First Holy Communion Mass - St Augustine of Canterbury

• 22nd May – 12pm First Holy Communion Mass - The Holy Name

• 22nd May – 2pm First Holy Communion Mass – Our Lady Immaculate

We encourage the children to attend their normal mass on the Sunday 23rd May in their First Holy Communion Clothes. Finally let's all pray that God will bless our journey together to our celebration of First Holy Communion 2027

With all good wishes,

God bless,

Fr Bartolomeu Blaj

Parish Priest to Chelmsford Linked Parishes