“I am the living bread that came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever.”
Jn 6:51
“The Eucharist is such a great gift. That’s why going to Mass is so important. Going to Mass not just to pray, but to receive Communion, the Body and Blood of Christ. It saves us, forgives us and it makes us one with the Father. How beautiful!”
Pope Francis on Holy Communion
This formation is for those children whose parents are resident in the parish.
If you are resident in the parish, please make sure that you are a registered parishioner. In this way, we will be able to keep in contact with you and to inform you of all that is going on in the parish and how you might wish to be involved in our mission.
If possible, please set up a standing order to contribute to the running costs, work and mission of your parish family.
When human beings practice something (for example, playing an instrument, taking part in a sport or learning to drive a car) they do it repeatedly until their skills develop and it becomes “second nature” to them. Of course, if you only practice occasionally or intermittently, it will not develop to your skill levels or change who you are.
Our human relationships, especially our friendships, call for practice. The more time we spend with a person and engage with them in profound ways, physically, emotionally and spiritually, then, the deeper the friendship is likely to be. This is why married couples often describe themselves as “best friends” or “soul mates”. While the people we spend less time with or are an occasional exchange of a text message are more likely to be described as acquaintances. Those relationships that have been broken by some event or those people we use only when we want something from them cannot be described as authentic friendships.
Our Catholic faith is about our personal friendship with Jesus, the Son of God. We believe that he waits for us weekly at Sunday Mass. It is through this sacred meeting that our friendship with him is nurtured and grows. It is there that Christ speaks to us as friends through his living word, the Sacred Scriptures, and feeds us with his own divine life in Holy Communion. And the reason Catholics call this “the practice of our faith” is because meeting Christ every week in this way, over time, deepens our relationship with him, changes us, and prepares us for that time when we will be with him eternally in heaven.
Saturday 5th July Parents’ Meeting 9.00 – 10.00 a.m.
Deadline for Holy Communion Registration forms Sunday 14th September. No Registration forms will be accepted after this date. Registration forms are available in the entrances to the church.
Saturday 4th October 9.00 – 10.00 a.m.
Formation Session 1: Jesus is the way to the Father “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
Sunday 5th October 9.30 a.m. Mass of Welcome for children and their families beginning their Holy Communion formation
Saturday 8th November 9.00 – 10.00 a.m. Formation Session 2: Jesus is the Good Shepherd “I am the Good Shepherd…I know my own and my own know me.” John 10:11
Sunday 9th November 9.30 a.m. Mass for children and their families in formation
Saturday 6th December 9.00 – 10.00 a.m. Formation Session 3: Jesus is our Joy “I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full.” John 10:10
Sunday 7th December 9.30 a.m. Mass for children and their families in formation
Saturday 10th January 9.00 – 10.00 a.m. Formation Session 4: Jesus is our Friend “Greater love has no man than he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13
Sunday 11th January 9.30 a.m. Mass for children and their families in formation
Saturday 7th February 9.00 – 10.00 a.m. Formation Session 5: Jesus is our Healer “And they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, “Take courage, son; your sons are forgiven.”” Mark 2: 5-12
Sunday 8th February 9.30 a.m. Mass for children and their families in formation
Saturday 7th March 9.00 – 10.00 a.m. Formation Session 6: Jesus feeds us with His own life “I am the bread of life, whoever comes to me will never hunger.” John 6:35
Sunday 8th March 9.30 a.m. Mass for children and their families in formation
Holy Communion Masses
11.00 a.m. 18th April, 25th April and 2nd May
If they so wish, parents will also be able to choose to have their child make their Holy Communion for the first time at any of the Sunday Masses during the month of May. Please speak to Fr Martin if you would prefer to do this.
GROUP 1 – Holy Communion Mass on Saturday 18th April 2026 at 11:00am; First Confession & Rehearsal Wednesday 15th April at 5.00 p.m. in the church:
GROUP 2 – Holy Communion Mass on Saturday 25th April 2026 at 11:00am; First Confession & Rehearsal Wednesday 22nd April at 5.00 p.m. in the church:
GROUP 3 – Holy Communion Mass on Saturday 2nd May 2026 at 11:00am; First Confession & Rehearsal Wednesday 29th April at 5.00 p.m. in the church:
In December 1917, at the invitation of Fr O’Grady, the Sisters of Mercy, opened their convent in Cambridge Park, the stables being converted into a temporary Church.
Later, the foundation stone of Our Lady of Lourdes Wanstead was blessed by Arthur Doubleday, the then Bishop of Brentwood, in July 1927.
The Church has been sustained by the people of God here in Wanstead for 100 years. Long may the faith continue to grow and thrive here.
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