Dear Parent/Guardian,

It is that time of year when the Loughshore parishes begin the work of preparing our children for the sacraments of First Penance and First Eucharist. Much of the work is done in our parish schools, but the parish and especially the parents or guardians also have an important role to play in helping our children understand what it means to share the Bread of Life for the first time.

We are using the parish programme of preparation, Do This In Memory, to help our children and their families as they prepare for these sacraments. This programme aims to help parents and parish become more actively involved in the sacramental preparation for First Penance and First Eucharist.

The programme requires children to attend parish Mass once each month throughout the school year. At each of these Masses, the gospel readings and the homily will be ‘child-friendly’.

The Programme will commence on Saturday 11^th October at the 6.30pm Mass in St Mary’s, Greencastle. At the Mass the children will be officially enrolled for the sacraments and parents/guardians and the parish community will be invited to commit ourselves to supporting the children in their sacramental preparation.

I enclose a list of dates of forthcoming events to give plenty of advance notice and help you plan your diaries accordingly. Further communications about dates, etc. will come through the school. Please be sure to look out for any letters and notices from the school principal in the coming months.

This time of preparation for the sacraments is an opportunity for us all to be renewed and nourished in our own faith journey. I look forward to continuing to work with you to support your efforts to pass on the faith to your child. If you feel I can be of any additional assistance to you in this regard, please do not hesitate to contact me. I pray for every blessing for you and your family.

Yours sincerely,

Fr David Delargy P.P.