All Welcome 

Do you wish to see children between the ages of seven and eleven (First Holy Communion and Confirmation) come to an abiding, loving, personal relationship with  God?  Do Jesus’ words ‘Let the children come to me’ resonate with you?  Are you open to helping your child or other peoples’ children  appreciate being part of the Church, and its mission?   If your answer to any of these questions is ‘Yes!’, this page is for you!

Background to Gathering

Most adults love to see children grow into healthy wholesome adults.  Many parents, grandparents and teachers make great sacrifices to support them, and which of us is not grateful to a sports coach, youth club leader, priest or signficant other who facilitated our enjoyment and learning as children?

It has long been recognised, regarding all facets of childrens’ development, that children  nurtured by family, school and community are like sun-loving plants placed in rich, moist, sun-drenched soil.  This is especially true when it comes to their spiritual development. 

Today,  and mostly because of cultural and societal changes to which we, as Church, are just beginning to respond,  committed Catholic families, clergy and other parishioners are coming to appreciate the need to complement the traditional means by which children come into the Catholic Faith.  

In 2023 a small group of women and men, laity and clergy of the Achonry and Elphin dioceses, greatly encouraged by Bishop Kevin Doran,  came together around the question, ‘How can we and others best complement the efforts of committed parents and teachers?’   Their research led them to developments in Galway city and county, and in Rathdowney, County Laois, and subsequently to a loose network of  child-friendly  ‘Come, Follow Me’ Faith & Fun clubs (CFM F&F Clubs herein), Sunday School and other child-friendly faith formation initiatives that pepper Europe, the Americas, India and Asia.  

The inclusion of the phrase, ‘Come, Follow Me’ is very significant.  It pertains to the name of a French catechetical programme that is interwoven into each club’s provision.  Children come together not to socialise and enjoy one another’s company primarily (though they do), but so they can be supported in growing in their Catholic Faith in a very systematic, tried and tested way.

At this time,  and as a direct consequence of a similar Gathering in Donamon Castle last February, CFM F&F Clubs have been established in Ballintubber/Ballymoe, Croghan, Oran and Tulsk (Elphin Diocese), Ballinasloe (Clonfert diocese) and preliminary work has been undertaken to establish similar clubs in Charlestown and Swinford (Achonry Diocese).  Moreover we are hopeful that our forthcoming Gathering (see below) will supportt the emergence of more clubs and child-related initiatives that will embrace the ‘Come, Follow Me’ catechetical programme.

We are also delighted to share that representatives of the  Ballintubber/Ballymoe, Croghan, Oran and Tulsk CFM F&F Teams will  be an integral part of our Gathering, and look forward to hearing them share how they got up and running.

CATECHESIS … part of our shared mission 

Through the centuries a great number of women and men have devoted time to reflecting on how best to share our Catholic Faith with our children.  One of the legacies from their engagement are certain key words, including:  (i) Catechesis, (ii) Catechetics, (iii) Catechetical, and (iv) Catechist.

‘Catechesis’ is the word used by the Church to describe the practice of handing on our Faith.  Its origins are in a Greek word meaning ‘oral instruction’ and it includes the everyday ways we echo the teachings of the Church to one another.  To engage in ‘catechesis’ does not require any special training or expertise. It’s simply allowing our faith and understanding to permeate our everyday communication with family, friends etc.

That stated, which of us has not benefitted from the sharings of a good teacher, priest or other person who has taken time to prepare a lesson, homily, some other form of instruction or faith-related activity?  This brings me to our second word, ‘Catechetics’.  ‘Catechetics’ refers to the craft, art and science of handing on our Faith, especially when done in a conscious  and deliberate way. 

‘Catechetical’ is  simply ‘of catechesis’.  For example, a parent who teaches their child to bless themselves in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, or who reads  a bible story to them in a prayerful way is engaging in a ‘catechetical’ activity.   The word ‘catechetical’ may also describe a programme that informs the running of a children’s Faith & Fun Club.   

In recent times many catechetical programmes have been written to support children’s catechesis.   All take on board the current cultural milieu, as well as God’s desire for children to better know, love and serve all three persons of the Blessed Trinity.  

We refer to those who facilitate such programmes as ‘catechists’, i.e. people who formally engage in the handing on of our Faith to others. 

Today, there is a growing tendency for parishes to have ‘Volunteer Catechists’, and for them to facilitate an array of catechetcial programmes and opportunites.

‘Come, Follow Me’  Children’s Catechetical Programme

The ‘Come, Follow Me’ catechetical programme originated in France, is now well-established in many countries, and is gaining a foothold with emerging  Faith & Fun Clubs in Ireland. 

 It has been chosen in our dioceses, and further afield, for the following reasons:

• It is very child-friendly and both children and parents / guardians are enjoying it.
• Children learn alot by participating in it.
• It is going well in many parishes (see above).
• It complements the ‘Grow in Love’ Religious Education programme approved for use in all Catholic Schools in Ireland.
• It is adaptable, and all sessions can be run in an hour or less.

• lt can be supported locally by adults who don’t have any formal training in children’s catechetics .. but training and being part of a support network are vital.
• It can be adapted for use in the family home.
• It is highly participatory and leads to fun.
• It can be used with very small groups of children, and with full classes.

• It seeks to foster a personal relationship between each participating child / adult and God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, Our Lady, the Saints and the Church.
• It uses visual aids and child-friendly activities to support children’s engagement.

Like all great programmes, one of its strengths is that it does not try to do everything. For example, it does not seek to prepare children to receive any sacrament but it does enrich their participation in Mass and Confession.

In terms of our dioceses, the preparation of children for the sacraments will remain the responsibility of  each parish in partnership with parents and teachers.  It is envisaged that provision will remain separate from the contribution offered via CFM F&F Clubs.