Ballinasloe CFM Faith & Fun Club

We are up and running!

Ballinasloe ‘Come Follow Me’ Faith & Fun Club had its first meeting on Thursday 11th September 2025 and will continue to meet on Thursday evenings, 7 – 7.50 pm, during school term.

The club has its roots in our Catholic Faith and is open to all children in 3rd, 4th and 5th class, and children between the ages of 8 and 11 years who are being home-schooled, subject to places being available.

The club’s primary objective is to support participating children develop their personal relationship with God in age-appropriate, friendly and fun ways.

Each meeting comprises three elements:

* social and settling-in time, including games
* bible story exploration which includes singing, listening, talking together and praying

* fun activities.

We will also have one or two outings during the 2025/2026 school year, and families can anticipate invitations to four child-friendly prayer events followed by short social gatherings.

Next Meeting

Opening of Year Prayer Service
Thursday 18th September, 7 – 7.45 pm
Our Lady of Lourdes Church,
Creagh, Ballinasloe.
H53 EH93

Background

Our club is modelled on similar clubs that have been running in France for more than thirty years.  We are also part of an emerging group of Faith and Fun clubs in Ireland.  For example, similar clubs are being established in Ballintubber, Croghan, Oran and Tulsk, Co. Roscommon, in Swinford, Co. Mayo, and clubs are already up and running in Moycullen and Galway  city and Rathdowney, Co. Laois.

All our clubs have integrated the phrase ‘Come, Follow Me’ into our names, words used by Jesus when he invited his first disciples to get to know him.  This phrase  is also associated with a much respected French programme, developed to help children grow in knowledge, love and service of God.   

Our club is commmitted to drawing on this valuable resource and you can read more about it here: Come, Follow Me | Program for children

Why ‘Come, Follow Me’ over other programmes?

• It is very child-friendly
• Children learn alot
• It complements the ‘Grow in Love’ Religious Education programme approved for use in Catholic Schools
• It is adaptable and weekly sessions can be run in less than an hour
• It supports the children get to know one another

• It can be used with very small groups, as well as groups of up to thirty children

• 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 that appeal to children
• It is sensitive to regarding childrens’ reading difficulties
• Parents / Gaurdians are welcome to remain in the room while the children engage.

Like all great programmes, it does not try to do everything.  For example, it does not seek to prepare children to receive any sacrament.  The preparation of children for the sacraments will remain the responsibility of  parents, supported by teachers in our Catholic schools and parishes.

Future Meetings & Enrolment

The venue for all meetings, bar special prayer services, is:

The Clonfert Family Centre,
John Dunne Ave.,
Brackernagh,
Ballinasloe,
H53 NX59.

We strongly encourage children to join us initially on a ‘come and see’ basis, and  we request that a parent, grandparent or another trusted adult family member accompany them until they choose to come on their own.

Interested?

If you are interested ,or would like to know more, please contact any of the following Club Leaders:

1. Anne Burke
   087 690 6199
2. John Coughlan
   086 8600987
3. Justin Harkin *
   087 6171526
4. Fr John Garvey
   0909643916

* Please contact Justin if you would like to be added to the club’s WhatsApp Group.  This is our means of keeping in contact with parents and guardians.

Related Costs

Should your child decide to join, leaders would appreciate a contribution of €10  toward art and craft materials and a donation  of €2 per session, i.e. to meet light and heat costs.

Parents / Guardians will also be invited to contribute toward costs associated with special events, e.g. Christmas outing, all of which will be optional.

Request

Prayers asking God’s blessing on  the club would also be appreciated.  Thank you.

 

Updated:  13th September 2025.