Congratulations to Alexa, Ellie, Isla, Keira, Robyn, Charlie, Jack, Jay, Joseph, Louie, Matthew and Oliver who celebrated receiving Holy Commuion for the first time at mass on Sunday 11th June. The children had all completed the Diocesan preparation programme which began at school last September with the help of catechists Christine Hodgkinson and Mary Stecey.
The five girls and seven boys all from St Anne’s school participated in a beautiful liturgy prepared by the school staff and governors with the help of Mrs Ellis who worked alongside the school with the music.
The children were involved by opening the mass with a prayer, reading the mass readings, singing the responsorial psalm, giving the bidding prayers and preforming a moving liturgical dance after mass.
The headmistress presented the children with their certificates and a prayer book and then explained the difficulties the school faced this week having had to undergo an Ofsted inspection. She specifically thanked the school governors for their help this week.
The children presented the catechists and Mrs Ellis with bouquets of flowers for their help with their first Holy Communion.
Afterwards the children and their families enjoyed a shared breakfast in the church hall with a celebration cake.
It was a beautiful mass and it was lovely to see the church full to overflowing.
Please keep the children in your prayers and we hope that they will grow in faith and love of the blessed Eucharist.
We wish Ethan a very happy 18th birthday. Ethan is a valued member of the parish choir regularly playing the viola at mass but when needed he plays the organ and ukele.