In addition to the Catechism classes we organize the Sacrament Teaching for children and young people.
Those children, who have reached the age of 9 or who are in the 3rd grade, are now invited to come to the sacramental teaching of the First Holy Communion to prepare for receiving the Eucharist for the first time in the spring of 2024. Dear children's parents, please contact the parish, if you didn't receive the invitation letter from the parish!

SACRAMENT TEACHING: First Holy Communion 2023/2024
 
Dear parents of children preparing for First Holy Communion,

I invite your children to the Sacrament Teaching organized by the Holy Cross Parish, which prepares to receive the sacrament of penance and First Communion in spring 2024.

Here are the dates of the sacrament teaching of First Communion (in our church building in the rooms of the English School, accessed from the church hall through the sacristy, every Sunday at 11.30 am):

Sun October 1, 2023 at 11.30 am (theme: Creation, Moses) + parents’ meeting
Sun November 5, 2023 at 11.30 am (theme: Ten Commandments) + parents’ conversation
Sun December 3, 2023 at 11.30 am (theme: Ten Commandments) + parents’ conversation

Sun January 14, 2024 at 11.30 am (theme: Holy Eucharist)
Sun February 11, 2024 at 11.30 am (theme: Holy Eucharist)
Sun March 10, 2024 at 11.30 am (theme: Holy Eucharist)
Sun April 14, 2024 at 11.30 am (theme: Sacrament of Penance)
Sun May 19, 2024 at 11.30 am (theme: Sacrament of Penance) + parents’ meeting

The teachers and tutors are Sinikka Meurman and the parish priest Fr Tri Nguyen.

Children are asked to bring pencils and educational materials.

So there are totally eight teaching sessions. All teaching sessions are compulsory. If there is a serious obstacle, please inform Sinikka in advance (+358404197077). Otherwise, the absence means moving to the teaching group of next year (autumn 2024).

In order to receive the First Communion, your child must be a registered member of the parish and a baptized Catholic. In addition, he or she must attend Catholic catechism classes, either at school or on a Saturday course, and attend the Holy Mass at least 10 times. If your child has been baptized outside of Finland, we ask you to submit a baptismal certificate to the parish during this coming winter.

We also organize two parent-meetings during the sacrament teaching to help parents in issues concerning the First Holy Communion of children. These meetings will be on Sun 01.10.2023 and 19.05.2024 immediately after Sunday Mass (11.30 am) in the church building on the premises of the English School.

Fri 24.05.2024 at 17.00 Confessions and Rehearsal //
​Sat 25.05.2024 at 11.00 am First Communion Mass


I wish you abundant blessing from God.
Those young people, who have reached the age of 14 or who are in the 8th grade, are now invited to come to the teaching of the Confirmation to prepare for receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation in the autumn of 2023. Dear young people and your parents, contact the parish!
 
SACRAMENT TEACHING: Confirmation 2023/2024

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes to you, and you will be my witness in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1: 8).

Dear Catholic youngster,
You have come to an age where you have time to take more responsibility for your life. Faith is an important part of every human life. Therefore, your parish invites you to a teaching that will help you take responsibility for your faith and prepare you to receive the sacrament of Confirmation. God wants to give you through your bishop's hands this sacrament, which is an important supernatural aid to the path of living the faith. It is a way of deep and genuine joy.

Dear parents of the young,
We will hold a meeting about the sacrament teaching of the confirmation on November 19, 2023, immediately after Sunday High Mass (at 11:30 am) in the English School room; access from the church through the sacristy. All parents whose children attend religious instruction and want to receive the sacrament of confirmation must be present at the meeting, where I will share the most important things about preparing for and celebrating the sacrament of confirmation.

There are seven very important teaching days in the academic year 2023-2024 for all children who will receive the sacrament of confirmation in Autumn 2024. (in a church building on the premises of the English School). The first day of teaching is November 19, 2023 at 11:30 am. This so-called sacrament teaching helps young people prepare spiritually for the sacrament of confirmation and understand its deep spiritual significance. At the same time, they are prepared for their valuable participation in the sacraments of repentance and confirmation. Without that special teaching and active participation in the Sunday Mass, your child cannot receive the sacrament of confirmation.

Here are the important dates:
Sun November 19, 2023 at 11:30 am: Sacrament Teaching + Parents’ Meeting
Sun December 10, 2023 at 11:30 am: Sacrament Teaching
​
Sun January 21, 2024 at 11:30 am: Sacrament Teaching + Parents’ conversation
Sun February 18, 2024 at 11:30 am: Sacrament Teaching
Sun March 17, 2024 at 11:30 am: Sacrament Teaching + Parents’ conversation
Sun April 21, 2024 at 11:30 am: Sacrament Teaching
Sun May 26, 2024 at 11:30 am. Sacrament Teaching + Parents’ conversation
 
The teachers and instructors are Eini Tastula (tel. 045 1821800; email: eini.tastula@gmail.com) and parish priest Tri Nguyen.
The program also includes a 5-day camp, to be held in June next year, the place will be announced later.

Fri 13/9/2024 17:00 pm - confession and rehearsal //
​Sat 14/9/2024 11:00 am - Bishop's Mass and Confirmation


After the sacrament of confirmation, young Christians are expected to actively participate in the life of the Church, especially the Sunday Mass, and to live the Catholic faith. This again requires the example of parents and a continuous support. So I ask you, dear parents, to help your child prepare well for receiving the sacrament of confirmation.
 
Thanks for the good cooperation,
Tampere, 08.08.2023

Fr Tri Nguyen

Parish Priest of the Holy Cross Parish
tel. +358 50 361 7942, email: tri.nguyen@katolinen.fi tai risti@katolinen.fi