Diocesan Launch of the new Sacramental Preparation Programme for Reconciliation and Eucharist
The first of three meetings launching the new sacramental preparation programme for Reconciliation and Eucharist took place on June 8th. Catechists, clergy and teachers gathered together at Sacred Heart High School, Fenham for an evening of input about the programme.
Diocesan Meeting to launch the new Sacramental Preparation Programme
After an opening liturgy Fr Michael MCoy welcomed everybody to the meeting. He said this was a significant moment in the life of the diocese - the culmination of three year's work. He gave an overview of the development of the programme and described how it was the result of a consultation process, and had already been piloted in a number of primary schools and parishes with very positive feedback
Fr Michael outlined some of the elements of the programme. Schools would take responsibility for candidates' knowledge and understanding, while parishes would focus on spiritual development and integration into the life of the parish. The progamme would be a year long, starting in July.
Fr Adrian Dixon spoke about the eight parish liturgies that formed part of the programme. These would be celebrated in the parish at key points during the preparation year. He emphasised that they were very simple and would take very little preparation.
Maria Elliott, headteacher of St Mary's Primary School, Jarrow, spoke about the programme for catechists. It was, she said, written with evangelisation and catechesis woven into all that is done and it was a "living programme" that would involve parents and parish.
Bishop Seamus holds up a copy of the new Diocesan Sacramental Preparation Programme
Sr Sheila McNamara spoke about the role of schools. Schools, she said, would take responsibility for knowledge, skills and understanding in the catechetical journey - a key phrase here, she added, was: "Learning about what Catholics believe and do".
The participants broke into three groups - teachers, catechists and clergy - for more input and discussion. During the final part of the meeting everybody gathered together again for another opportunity to ask questions.
The programme was produced in partnership with Pauline Books and Media and can be ordered through the Diocesan Spirituality, Formation and Education Service. Sample handouts of material from the programme were given out to participants at the launch.
Printing will take place shortly and the books will be available very soon. Fr McCoy explained that, in order for printing costs to be kept as low as possible, it would be necessary to get orders before printing. Therefore it is necessary for schools and parishes to order by 24th June.
Because of copyright issues it is not possible to offer the full programme online; though any additional material which is not copyrighted will be made available online if possible.
Bishop Seamus thanked everybody who had been involved in the preparation and launch of the programme and the evening closed with a prayer
Two more regional meetings will follow for different parts of the diocese:Tuesday 14 June (Carmel RC College, Darlington) and Thursday 16 June ( St Aidan’s School, Sunderland). See details.
Order form for the new Progamme (order by 24th June)