The Parish hosts a family-based and parish-supported sacramental program for the children of our Parish. In conjunction with parents, who are the first educators of their children in the faith, we undertake the formation and education of children to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation (Penance, formerly known as Confession), Confirmation and First Communion.
In the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle the Sacraments of Initiation for children are administered according to the diocesan policy ‘Becoming Disciples’.
Confirmation
The Sacrament of Confirmation is the second of the three sacraments of Christian Initiation.
Confirmation completes Baptism, by which in the laying on of hands and the anointing with Chrism Oil, which first happened at Baptism, we are confirmed with the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
The Bishop, as leader of the diocesan Church community (or his delegates) administers Confirmation.
Through the gifts of the Holy Spirit - wisdom and understanding, counsel and fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord - we are strengthened to live more truly and responsibly as disciples of Jesus and members of the Church committed to pursuing the mission of Jesus today.
First Holy Communion
The process of Christian Initiation is completed when the person comes to the Altar to receive communion for the first time.
We believe Eucharist makes the Church. The Church is made:
- in the gathering of the community, on Sunday - the Lord's day
- in listening to and reflecting on God's word spoken to us in the scripture
- in the offering of our lives to God by joining ourselves to Christ's offering
- in our personal and communal transformation in this action
- in our being sent to live as disciples of Jesus, continuing the mission of Jesus in the world.
This is how the Church is made. This is how I become a disciple, as I return each Sunday to be nourished by the Word of God and the Body of Christ. This is how we pursue the life-long process of initiating ourselves into the life of God.