CFM

Should Ballinasloe & Creagh parish start a ‘Come, Follow Me’ Faith & Friendship Club?

Introduction

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 or signficant other who facilitated our enjoyment and learning as children?
Today,  owing to lots of cultural and societal changes, parents committed to raising their children in the Catholic faith are coming to appreciate their need for additional support with this aspect of their child’s development too.   They recognise the need to complement their own provision, and the provision of their children’s teachers, with engaging, fun-loving learning and worship opportunities that children undertake with other children.  Mindful of this Ballinasloe & Creagh parish will soon host a conversation with interested parents, guardians, grandparents and children in 2nd, 3rd and 4th classes about establishing a ‘Come, Follow Me’ Faith and Friendship Club in Ballinasloe in September.

Additional Background Information

Over recent months, a  small group of parishioners, including Fr John Garvey PP, have been researching possibilities and finding out about how other parishes are supporting their families.
Their research and discussions  have led them to take a special interest in a programme called ‘Come, Follow Me’, that was developed in France 30 years ago, and that is growing in popularity in Ireland and Great Britain.
You can read more about ‘Come, Follow Me’ by clicking on this link: Come, Follow Me | Catechetical Program for children aged 7-11
In Ireland the the UK this programme is growing in popularity as the basis of Faith and Friendship Clubs for children who have made their First Holy Communion but not yet received the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Exploratory Meeting 

This group will host an open meeting for boys and girls in 2nd, 3rd and 4th classes and their parents / guardians / grandparents who live locally on Thursday, 5th June, from 7.30 – 8.30 pm in The Emerald Ballroom (H53 F582).

There will be two main parts to the meeting.

During the first part they will invite a mother who runs this programme, Marie Mahon, to share her experience.

During the second part there will an opportunity for everyone to share their ideas and ask questions.

Why ‘Come, Follow Me’ over other programmes?

  • 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 Friendship clubs for children

  • 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. In terms of our parish, the preparation of children for the sacraments will remain the work of  parents and teachers in our Catholic schools.

What happens after the meeting on 5th June

At the end of the meeting interested parents will have an opportunity to register their interest.

The organisers will contact everyone who registers their interest in late August to consult them about the next step.

For More Information

If you require more information please contact Justin Harkin on 087 6171526
admin@creideamh.ie 

 

Updated:  23rd May 2025.