Our mission statement
In God’s love we learn and grow together
‘With You Always’
The ‘With You Always’ programme prepares the children for the sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and Holy Communion. Making the blessed sacraments is a significant stage in your child’s Catholic journey and the ‘With You Always’ programme helps them to understand and appreciate the true meaning of each. ‘With You Always’ is for children who are baptised and in Years 4 to 6.
The way children are prepared for these sacraments changed a couple of years ago. As Parents/Carers are the first educators of their child/ren and they have chosen to have their child baptised the expectation is that they will lead their children’s preparation of the blessed sacaraments. Parents/Carers are supported in this by the parish priest and the parish catechists (parish helpers).
They will help Parents/Carers to hand down their own faith to their children, fulfilling the responsibility Parents/Carers take when their child is baptised.
The ‘With You Always’ resource aims to:
• engage Parents/Carers and children in sessions that are welcoming and active
• offer time for Parents/Carers and children to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ within the parish community
• help Parents/Carers and children learn about the Faith and respond to God’s Word in their daily lives
• prepare Parents/Carers and children for the reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist in the primary school years.
The ‘With You Always’ resource has 7 sessions, parent and child booklets. The catechists and parish priest organise the sessions as below:
Worksheets for the sessions and information leaflets for Parents/Carers can be found at https://www.liverpoolcatholicresources.com/eucharist
Each Session has the same structure:
• Introduction: catechists deliver a brief welcome to the session and its themes.
• Gathering: parent and child link the session theme with life experience.
• Sharing Scripture and Tradition: parent and child read about Scripture (Old and New Testaments) and Catholic Tradition.
• Responding: parent and child share an activity.
• Celebrating: the Catechist leads prayer in the large group.
• Taking out: sessions end with a task to complete at home during the month.
Session content:
September: Come to the water (Sign of the Cross & Family/Baptism).
October: Called by name (Names/Saints).
November: Come back to me (Sign of Peace & Choices/Reconciliation).
Advent: Family Reconciliation (First Reconciliation).
December: Advent/Christmas (celebration to be decided by the parish or Pastoral Area).
January: A new way of living (Following Jesus & The Beatitudes).
February: Teach us to pray (Prayer & Growth/Lord’s Prayer).
March: Jesus brings us together (Jesus Feeds Us & The Triduum & Community/Eucharist).
Lent/Holy Week/Easter: (celebration to be decided by the parish or Pastoral Area).
April/May: Jesus calls us to follow Him (Receiving Holy Communion & Jesus/Eucharist).
May/June: Rehearsal for the First Communion Mass for Parents/Carers and children & Communion Mass with families.
If you would like your child to embark on their sacramental journey please contact the Our Lady of Mount Carmel & St Patrick parish office on 0151 272 1463.
“You and your family will be specially remembered in our prayers in the coming months. Thank you for choosing to support your child in their Catholic Faith.”