First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion 2025-2026

First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion Preparation Programme 2025-2026

The North Bedford Catholic Community provides a united sacramental programme for the combined parishes of The Holy Cross and Saints Philip and James. This is a very important time for the parents and all the family members. It will be a time of growth in your child’s faith, and in your own faith as you are expected to play an active and leading role in helping your child through every step of the way. The parish will assist you by providing classes for your child and sessions to aid you in helping your child, but you must commit wholeheartedly to this time of preparation and participate weekly in Sunday mass and attend all the classes on the programme with your child.

Dates for the Sacramental preparation Programme:

Saturday, 20th September 2025

Saturday, 18th October 2025

Saturday, 8th November 2025

Saturday, 22nd November 2025

Saturday, 13th December 2025

Saturday, 10th January 2026

Saturday, 24th January 2026

Saturday, 7th February 2026

Saturday, 7th March 2026

Saturday 21st March 2026

Saturday, 18th April 2026

Saturday, 2nd May 2026

Enrolment Masses: Saturday, 11th and Sunday 12th October 2025

Advent Giving Party: Sunday, 30th November 2025 - save the date

First Reconciliation: Saturday, 28th March 2026

Celebration of First Holy Communion Masses: Corpus Christi, Saturday, 6th and Sunday, 7th June 2026

Thanksgiving and Celebration Mass: Saturday, 27th June 2026

If you would like to enrol your child onto the Sacramental Preparation Programme, AD 2025-2026, enrolment forms are available in the narthex of both churches or via the link at the bottom of this page.

Completed and signed enrolment forms must be returned with your child’s original Baptism certificate to Sheila Allen, Parish Secretary, parish.holycross@northamptondiocese.org or by post. The deadline for returning enrolment forms and Baptism certificates is Wednesday, 7th September 2025.

Further details of the programme will be discussed and confirmed at the first meeting with parents and children, which will be held on Wednesday, 17th September 2025 in Saints Philip and James Church at 6:15pm.

Fr Alex, Fr Richard, Deacon Crispin, Deacon Tony and our sacramental team look forward to getting to know you and your family better prior to the start of Sacramental Preparation.