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 Above 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 parents are coming to appreciate their need for additional support in handing on the Catholic faith.   They recognise the need to complement their own provision in the home, and the provision of their children’s teachers, with engaging, fun-loving learning and worship opportunities that children undertake with other children. 

Within the Achonry and Elphin dioceses , a small group of women and men, laity and clergy, greatly encouraged by Bishop Kevin Doran, have emerged around the question of how best to proceed.  Their research has led them to developments in our countries, and in particular to a very child-friendly catechetical programme called ‘Come, Follow Me’.  ‘

CATECHESIS … part of our shared mission 

The previous paragraph contained an important word that may be new to you, i.e. ‘catechetical’.

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, often conversation-based, by which 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 or some other form of instruction?  This bring 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 decribe a conversation through which a priest seeks to enrich children’s understanding of God or the Church. 

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 all three persons of the Blessed Trinity.  

We refer to those who facilitate such programmes as ‘catechists’, i.e. peope 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 and today it is well-established there, and in the UK.  It is also gaining a foothold in Ireland. 

 It has been chosen for the following reasons:

• It is very child-friendly and both children and parents have been known to enjoy it
• Children learn alot by participating in it
• 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
• It can be used very effectively as the basis of Faith and Fun clubs for children

• It can also serve as the basis of Sunday School style provision
• lt can be taken up and offered by adults who don’t have any formal training in children’s catechetics
• 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.   Provision will be separate from ‘Come, Follow Me’ provision.