Year 5 Sacramental Programme - Session 1

Date: 4th Nov 2021 @ 5:30pm

After each session of the Sacramental Programme, we will inform you through our class page what the children have discussed and any points that can be further explored at home. The children who are completing the programme will bring home their 'Thank God for Mass!' books to help you understand what they have done and help with your discussions. 

This week the children started their sacramental journey at church with Father Michael, Catechists from St Oswald's, Mrs Mulgrew, Mrs Deighton and Mrs Nuttall.  The children were able to explore the church and find out about all the different sections and symbols. They stood on the sanctuary and spoke to Father Michael about the different things that are around the alter and their significance.  They spoke with school staff and the Catechists about the Baptismal font, the Reconciliation room and the Holy Oils used at different times in a Christian's life. The children also got the chance to walk around and look at the Stations of the Cross and the various statues and paintings within the church.  The children were very respectful and remained calm and inquisitive throughout. 

All the children, whether they are taking part in the Sacramental Programme or not, will take part in the sessions.  All the children will have a folder and a worksheet each week to bring home but only the children completing the sacrament will have the booklet. The children not completing the Sacramental Programme will learn about the Sacraments as part of the RE curriculum and support their friends on their faith Journey.

Points to discuss at home.

Father Michael spoke to the children about various things and asked the children who had undertaken the sacrement of Baptism, to go home and speak to their parents about it. Fr Michael spoke about how Baptism was the start of the children's Faith journey and they were now embarking upon the next stage. 

The children could perhaps look at photos of their Baptism, discuss who was there, who their Godparents are and their role in their Catholic journey and what happened at their Baptism. 

The children who have not undertaken Baptism were still involved in the conversations and activities and were able to listen to stories that the other children could recall and support their friends on the next stage of their journey in Faith.