St. Thomas Aquinas

Sacraments at St. Thomas Aquinas

Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation and Holy Communion

The Sacraments Explained - All you need to know about The Sacraments

The Sacrament of Baptism Explained - All you need to know about Baptism

The Sacrament of Reconciliation Explained - All you need to know about Reconciliation

The Sacrament of the Eucharist Explained - All you need to know about the Sacrament of Eucharist

Reconciliation

In Year 3 children receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In preparation for this Sacrament, the children reflect on the fact that they are children of God and that this impacts on the way they treat others.

The children learn about Jesus’ teachings on repentance and forgiveness through studying Bible stories such as Zacchaeus the tax collector and parables like the Prodigal Son. They learn to appreciate that God created humans with free will allowing them to make a decision to make good and bad choices. The children are encouraged to think about the consequences of their actions and how this affects their relationship with God.

The children study the structure and sequence of the Rite of Reconciliation and are fully prepared to make their Reconciliation when their special day comes.

First Holy Communion

Once the children in Year 3 have made the Sacrament of Reconciliation, they receive the Sacrament of First Holy Communion. Children are invited to participate in a Mass of enrolment to make a commitment before God that they and their families will take on the responsibilities placed before them.

During Religious Education lessons in school, the children study the Last Supper when Jesus shared his last meal with the disciples. They look in particular at the breaking of the bread and how this is similar to the celebration of the Mass. By examining the words of Jesus at the Last Supper and the priest at Mass, they learn to appreciate that we are present with Jesus every time we go to Mass.

The children study all of the parts of the Mass in detail over the year but focus particularly on the Liturgy of the Eucharist leading up to the celebration of First Holy Communion. By exploring each of the parts of the Liturgy of the Eucharist in detail, the children learn that the Mass is a celebration of thanksgiving and that during the Eucharistic prayer, the priest asks the Holy Spirit to change the gifts of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus.

Alongside their lessons in school, the children attend Mass with their families each week and pray at home as a family. The children are encouraged to read Bible stories together and discuss their Religious Education lessons. The children are given various tasks to complete at home linked to their First Holy Communion. The children work very hard at home, in school and in the parish to ensure that they were fully prepared to receive Jesus into their hearts.

Confirmation

In Year 6, the children prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Children are invited to participate in a Mass of enrolment to make a commitment before God that they and their families take on the responsibilities placed before them.

During Religious Education lessons in school, the children study the Holy Spirit in detail. They look at the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit and think about how these will work in their future lives. The children study the events of Pentecost and think about how they will be like the disciples when the Holy Spirit comes down upon them. As Confirmation is a Sacrament of initiation, the children explore how Baptism and Confirmation are linked, focusing in particular at the signs and symbols used in both.

As part of their journey, children prepare a project on the saint of their choice. They are encouraged to select the name of a saint who has inspired them in some way. A sponsor is also chosen and has the role of supporting the child in their spiritual life. The children also have the opportunity of taking part in spiritual retreats which enrich and deepen the understanding of their faith. Alongside their lessons in school, the children attend Mass with their families each week and pray at home as a family. The children are encouraged to read Bible stories together and discuss their Religious Education lessons.

Confirmation Enrolment Mass

We were blessed to gather as a faith community for the Enrolment Mass of our school and parish Confirmandi. These young candidates have made a heartfelt commitment to deepen their relationship with God and to continue their journey as active witnesses of Christ in the world. With the loving support of their parents and sponsors, they reverently renewed their baptismal promises, affirming their desire to live as faithful disciples.

As they continue to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation, we invite our community to keep them in prayer. We offer our sincere thanks to Fr. Elobe, our parishioners, and the school staff for their guidance, encouragement, and ongoing support in nurturing the faith of our young people.

First Holy Communion Assembly

Year 3 led a beautiful assembly, sharing the significance of their First Holy Communion. They spoke from the heart about what this special day meant to them and how it deepened their faith. Their reflections were moving and heartfelt — a true testament to the preparation and support they received from families, teachers, and the wider school community. Thank you to everyone who helped make this such a memorable moment in their faith journey. We are so proud of you all!

First Holy Communion

Congratulations to all the children who received their First Holy Communion this year

In the stillness of prayer and the grace of the Eucharist, you opened your hearts to Jesus in a most sacred way. This marks not just a milestone, but the beginning of a lifelong journey in faith, love, and grace. May you always remember the peace, joy, and holiness of your special day. We are deeply proud of each one of you, and we hold you in our prayers as you continue to walk with Christ. "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." — John 6:35

Reconciliation

Congratulations to the pupils in Year 3 who took another important step on their faith journey as they made their Sacrament of Reconciliation (First Confession) at Our Lady of the Angels and St Peter in Chains, you were all so prayerful, honest and reflective. We were very proud of you all! Thank you to Father Matthew & Father Eamonn for all your support and a beautiful service.

Confirmation

We extend our congratulations to each child and may the light of the Holy Spirit

always burn brightly in you. ‘God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us”. (Romans 5:5)

May we continue to pray for these children and their families that the Holy Spirit will give them strength and draw them closer into a life of faith where their love for God will empower them. The children’s journey of faith would not have been possible without the support of parents, family members, sponsors and the school staff. Thank you to Fr. Matthew and Fr. Eamonn for your continued support and guidance and a special thanks to Canon Paul for ministering the Holy Spirit to our children and inspiring them to be faithful friends of Jesus.

We also express our gratitude to all those who assisted us in celebrating this wonderful sacrament. Your support is greatly appreciated.

May God Bless you and your families.

Day Retreat to Alton Castle

Y3 and Y6 Alton Castle Retreat – A Day to Remember!

What a fabulous day Year 3 and Year 6 had at Alton Castle! Under glorious sunshine, we took part in a range of exciting and meaningful activities that helped us grow in faith, friendship, and fun.

* The Treasure Hunt had us dashing around in the sunshine, using picture clues to find sacred symbols like the cross, Bible, and chalice—a fun way to link RE learning with real-life discovery. Nightline tested our trust and teamwork as we navigated a forest course blindfolded, relying on each other’s guidance and support. In Team Building, we used problem-solving and communication to complete challenges—like guiding balls through pipes—cheering each other on all the way! During Meditation, we lay in stillness and listened to Scripture, taking time to reflect on its message and how it can guide our thoughts, choices, and actions in everyday life.

And to top it all off… we cooled down with an epic water fight! Laughter, splashes, and sunshine made the perfect ending to a spiritually uplifting and joy-filled day.

A heartfelt thank you to the amazing staff at Alton Castle and our wonderful school team for helping us create such special memories—we’ll treasure them for years to come!

Alton Castle truly gave us space to reflect, play, and grow closer to God and each other