Sacramental Programme
Sacraments
Children have the opportunity to receive two sacraments during their time at St. Anne's Catholic Primary School.
The catechists at St. Anne's Church prepare the children for the sacraments which is also reinforced in school during RE lessons.
At St. Anne's we follow ‘The Way the Truth and the Life’ scheme of work which helps the children to prepare to receive the Sacraments. We also have two special books called ‘Making Things Right’ and ‘Called to His Supper’ which help us to keep a record of our preparations.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Jesus Christ, in His abundant love and mercy, established the Sacrament of Confession, so that we as sinners can obtain forgiveness for our sins and reconcile with God and the Church. The sacrament “washes us clean,” and renews us in Christ.
“Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained’” (John 20:21-23).
After a period of preparation our Year 3 children receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Spring term.
The children learn the Act of Contrition:
O my God, because you are so good,
I am very sorry that I have sinned against you,
And by the help of your grace, I will not to sin again.
On Wednesday both Year 3 and Year 4 (separately) visited St Anne's church for the Reconciliation service with Fr Tony and Fr Michael. Both services were beautifully serene and intimate, the quiet atmosphere allowing the children to fully focus on their conversation with God undistracted. Although the children were not permitted to sing, their silent signing of Mike Stanley's 'Act of Contrition' was a lovely, meaningful gesture.
The children were wonderfully well behaved and reverential during the service, and looked genuinely thrilled to have participated, as you can see by their pictures.
Sacrament of the Eucharist
Through the sacrament of Eucharist we remember what Jesus did for us in his life, death and resurrection. We remember particularly the Last Supper, that final meal Jesus shared with his disciples. At that meal Jesus gave us the Eucharist so that we could remember him in a special way. When we receive Communion, we believe that we receive the person of Jesus into our very beings. We become one with him, and we become one with each other. As a community we become 'the body of Christ'.
The Sacrament of the Eucharist is received by Year 3 children in May after having received the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The ceremony takes place at St. Anne's Catholic Church. Father Tony Grace came in to school this year to prepare the Y3/4 children on receiving the Blessed Sacrament.
Children receive a certificate and communion pendant to commemorate the day.
For Sacramental dates please see our school calendar.
The Sacrament of the Eucharist was celebrated for our Y3 and Y4 children in July 2021 due to the pandemic. The Mass was lot quieter as numbers were restricted but they were still beautifully reflective and prayerful as the children took this importnat step in their faith journey.
