Central to our faith and therefore to our Religious Education program are the sacraments of the Catholic Church. We focus on three of the Sacraments during primary school.
Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance)
Learners celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation while in the Middle Learning Community, with preparation occurring regularly from their first year of primary school. They are given the opportunity of celebrating this for the first time at school on an individual basis with our Parish Priest within the Second Rite celebration of the Sacrament during Lent.
Sacrament of Eucharist for the first time
Learners celebrate the Sacrament of Eucharist for the first time during their time in the Middle Learning Community (Year 4 equivalent). The parish community and the learners’ families and friends are invited to celebrate together as the learners receive the Body and Blood of Christ for the first time.
Before the celebration of the sacrament, learners are invited to present themselves to the parish community at weekend Mass and invite the community to pray for them.
Sacrament of Confirmation
Learners in the final year of primary school celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation, with specific preparation occurring throughout their time in the Senior Learning Community. The local Bishop is the principal celebrant who, along with the Parish Priest, seals the candidates with the Holy Spirit. The parish community is invited to pray for the candidates when they present themselves at weekend Masses before the Sacramental celebration.
Family Workshops
In working with our learners, we are conscious that the ultimate responsibility for any child’s faith development and involvement in sacramental life rests with parents. We see our role as one of working in partnership with the family and the parish community to support the growth and development of the child.
Each year we conduct family workshops to help make the time of preparation a significant time for the whole family. All families, regardless of religion, involved are required to attend these workshops, which take place for all learners from the Prep to Senior Learning Communities.