Saint John Bosco, Eyres Monsell

Parish life

The family and parish help children prepare for First Confession, First Holy Communion and Confirmation. The parish serves South Wigston, Eyres Monsell, Aylestone, and surrounding areas including Wigston, Countesthorpe, Blaby and Newton Harcourt.

First Holy Communion is celebrated across the parish communities of St Mary's, St John Bosco and St Edward's. Before the celebration, children are shown practically and reverently how to receive Holy Communion according to the approved practice of the Church and the parish. An adult baptised Catholic who has never received Holy Communion should contact the parish rather than beginning the children's course.

Information about Children's Liturgy and other provision for families can be found through the parish Mass page. The parish has a simple Returning to the Faith pathway to help people return to Confession, prayer and ordinary Catholic practice. The parish offers a Catholic Faith Online Course as a basic introduction to the principal beliefs and practices of the Catholic Church. Marriage preparation begins with a conversation with the priest to establish freedom to marry and explain the preparation process.

After initiation, the parish continues to accompany new Catholics through Mystagogy and ordinary parish life. Sacramental preparation in the parish is personal, catechism-led and adapted to the age, circumstances and sacramental history of the person. For children and young people, parents, godparents, sponsors and parish catechists may all have a part in sacramental accompaniment.

Parishioners admitted to hospital are asked to let the hospital chaplaincy know they are Catholic. Confirmation preparation in the parish is personal, catechism-led and based upon understanding, desire and readiness rather than simply age or school year. Young people preparing for Confirmation use My Confirmation Catechism with twelve short catechism-led conversations together with Sunday Mass, prayer, Confession and personal accompaniment.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Parents receive the parish preparation book 'A Simple Preparation Book for Parents and Godparents'. The baptism preparation book contains three short conversations, each taking about 15–20 minutes. Parents should work through all three conversations; godparents should join where possible, or work through the same material themselves if they live elsewhere. Before the Baptism, there is normally a final parish conversation to answer questions and check arrangements.

The parish uses a preparation companion containing 24 short Catholic conversations. Once the appropriate pathway is clear, the couple receives the parish preparation book 'Preparing for Our Marriage'. Meetings with the priest remain essential for other parts of marriage preparation. The parish will provide the approved texts, readings and practical directions for the wedding liturgy.

Pastoral care in the parish may include visiting the sick or housebound. Pastoral care in the parish may include accompaniment in times of grief.

If someone is seriously ill, deteriorating rapidly, or near death, the parish should be contacted as soon as possible. Sacramental preparation in the parish is centred upon faith, understanding, readiness and accompaniment, rather than simply completing a timetable.