Young Downham quartet receive first communion

In June, the Parish of St Dominic’s Church in Downham Market received its first set of children for the Sacrament of First Holy Communion since the Covid pandemic.  Janelle Cleghorn reports.

Fittingly on Sunday June 19, Corpus Christi – the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, sisters Amicie and Ayana, along with Jonas and Nicolas, witnessed by a dynamic and diverse congregation, received their First Holy Communion from Parish Priest, Fr Erico Falcão. 

It was a momentous celebration to mark a journey that started in October 2021 when the children had their first catechism session with Catechist, Lourdes Luyten-Coelho, whose dedication, care and support to the children was truly meritorious.  The children attended sessions weekly during term time, either in person at the Church’s Parish Rooms or virtually over Microsoft Teams.  Their resilience, dedication and passion for learning were evident and commendable.  They overcame Covid along the way, managed catechism lessons alongside their own school and personal schedules, and, most importantly, developed a beautiful friendship amongst themselves.

In putting their learning into practice, the children led the procession into church, participated in the readings and recited the Prayers of the Faithful, which they had collectively agreed upon during their last catechism session.

After receiving their First Communion, the children along with Fr Erico, led a procession to the Altar of Our Blessed Mother and engaged in prayers to our Holy Mother.  Before the Concluding Rites, Ayana and Jonas delivered a heartfelt thank you address to the whole church for witnessing and joining the celebration of their First Holy Communion.

After Mass, a celebration was held in the Parish Rooms where the children were treated to a breakfast and a specially personalised cake, baked by their Catechist and decorated by the Church treasurer, Janelle Cleghorn, in their honour.

Some attendees had travelled from across Britain,  whilst others were nationals of Albania, Belgium, Belize, Colombia, India, Iran, Lithuania, Mexico, the Philippines and Spain.  It was a glorious celebration and coming together for the candidates and for the Church. 

Pictured above, the four young Candidates, renewing their baptismal vows.

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