Children & Families
Families are a valued part of parish life. Whether you’re visiting with little ones, preparing for a sacrament, or looking for support, you are very welcome.
Children’s Masses
A Mass for Children is celebrated once a month between September and June, with the main focus alternating between the Primary 4 children preparing for First Holy Communion through the Parish ‘Do This in Memory’ programme and a Mass focusing on the Primary 3 children preparing for their First Reconciliation. The Primary 3 Masses also provide an opportunity for all the other children attending to be involved. These children-focused Masses replace the normal Children’s Liturgy of the Word. For Children’s Masses during July and August, please consult the newsletter.
Children’s Liturgy of the Word
A co-ordinated team of PVG approved catechists provide the Children’s Liturgy for children attending our Sunday Masses. The team prepares and leads a child appropriate Liturgy programme during Mass to which all children are welcome. Presently there are 2 groups meeting weekly during 9.30am Mass on Sundays in St John’s. Our younger children, up to and including Primary 2, meet in the hall, whilst the older group of children, from Primary 3, onwards assemble in the Parish House. At St Mary Magdalene’s, our children meet in the hall. For more information, please contact the co-ordinators, Deacon Eddie for St Mary Magdalene’s and Arlene Lauder for St John’s.
Baptism
If you wish to have your child baptised, please contact Fr Jock. You’ll then be invited to join a two-evening preparation course led by our Baptismal Team. After the course, Fr Jock, Fr Shaiju, or Deacon Eddie will visit you at home to continue the journey.
Baptisms are usually celebrated:
During Sunday Mass
On Saturdays at 12 noon
After Sunday Mass
Or by arrangement
Please note: Baptisms are not normally celebrated during Lent or Advent.
The Parishes’ Baptismal Team is led by Kath Zoltie, Tracy Burgess, Bernadetta Mooney and Susan Hay.
For enquiries, please call 669 5447.
For adults seeking baptism, please see our page on becoming a Catholic
Faith Journey for Children
For most children, the Sacrament of First Reconciliation is celebrated during Lent when they are in Primary 3. Following this, in Primary 4, the children prepare to receive their First Holy Communion around May/June, as part of the Do This in Memory programme.
This parish programme is coordinated by a team of parishioners led by Barbara Service (First Communion) and Gillian Ramage (First Reconciliation). Preparation is usually a collaboration between St John’s and St Mary Magdalene’s Parishes and St John’s Primary School. However, we also welcome children who do not attend the associated primary school.
If your child is not at the associated primary school or a Catholic school and you would like more information about how they can receive the Sacraments, please contact Fr Jock in the first instance.
The Sacrament of Confirmation is now celebrated at the Primary 7 stage for most children and is coordinated by Arlene Lauder (07950 880833).
