GIFT

As parents, when your child is baptised, you agree confidently to accept the responsibility of training him/her in the practice of the Catholic faith. It is your duty to bring him/her up to keep God’s commandments as Christ taught us, by loving God and our neighbour.

The Church understands the scale of this duty and the challenge it can be, and we want to help.

Parents are the ones who have the most influence on whether their children remain Catholic when they reach adulthood (or while they are still children!). Family catechesis assists parents in their role. It forms parents and children in their faith together.

In the JOY OF LOVE (Amoris Laetitia) Pope Francis encourages this method saying: “Family catechesis is of great assistance as an effective method in training young parents to be aware of their mission as evangelisers of their own family.” (AT 287)

Discerning when your child is ready to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist is an important factor in their, and your, journey of faith. “Parents have to discern not only if their children are ready for this step, but if they and their entire family are ready.” (Fr James Mallon – Divine Renovation)

How the Hemel East Parish can support you

The Church also has a role in discerning readiness. Receiving the sacraments is not about reaching a certain age – a rite of passage – but about recognising your child’s, and your family’s understanding of what it is to be part of the Church family and a willingness to participate fully in the Church’s life.

We want you, as a family, to engage with your faith. We want to support you in your prayer. We want you to talk about faith issues, and have more family time together. We want to provide a place for you to learn and engage with your faith.

We can’t pass on what we don’t have!

The Church recognises that for many parents, and grandparents, catechesis often ended when they were children. They can lack confidence and be intimidated by what passing on what the faith entails to their children. They need help to understand their own faith better and to grow themselves in their relationship with Jesus Christ. We can’t pass on what we don’t have! And all families are different. We know that many parents are not both Catholic and this too can be challenging.

How this works

We will offer monthly gatherings – on Saturday mornings – to which you will be invited. We will gather, pray, share and learn about our faith together. Together we will engage in activities and conversations that will help us reflect on what faith means to each of us; children, parents, catechists and clergy. In addition we will offer Zoom sessions each month for parents to introduce you to additional resources for you to use at home as a family, and to help you grow in your own faith.

We want to encourage you to participate in the life of the Church; gathering on a Sunday to worship God in the celebration of Mass, time at home when you pray together as a family, parish activities you take part in, for example: ministry, visiting the sick, reading at Mass etc. These things show your willingness to be full members of the community and a desire for your faith to grow.

Who is this for?

In this context of parents and children, Growing in Faith Together (GIFT) is for families with children aged between 5 and 11, whether you are already engaged with your faith and the Church or whether seeking the sacraments for your child is your motivation and you’re not yet as engaged as you would like to be. In reality GIFT is for everyone aged 6 to 106. After all, faith learning is a lifelong experience and joy.

When you, and we, feel your child is ready to receive the sacraments we will offer several sessions specifically designed to prepare them. Not everyone will be ready at the same time. This will mean celebrating the reception of the sacraments at different times throughout the year. For instance there will no longer be only one day when everyone comes forward at the same time to receive Holy Communion for the first time. The dates will be mutually decided between us. Hopefully small groups of children will be ready together so that they can share the celebration with one another, their families and the parish community.

In Summary

The Church is here to help. Just like any relationship, the one with Jesus and his Church needs nurturing and supporting so that we can fully experience the life that was offered us when we were baptised. Through GIFT gatherings, Sunday worship, participation in parish life and service and at home prayer and sharing, families grow in faith and help build a vibrant church.

This is what GIFT is all about. We are looking forward to supporting you as you grow in faith yourselves and in your role as evangelisers of your family.

What’s next?

Details of how to enrol in GIFT, dates of gatherings and resources will be published her on on our website and in our newsletter. If you would like to know more, please contact us; we will be pleased to help.

Encouraging growth towards receiving the Holy Eucharist for the first time.