PARISH SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMME

So, you’re wondering about the sacrament programme ….

ENROLMENT – For the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Holy Communion and Confirmation – please check our Weekly Bulletin for updates.  Use this link to navigate to our Bulletins page.

RECONCILIATION & FIRST HOLY COMMUNION – Children in Year 3 or older who have been Baptised into the Roman Catholic Church are eligible to enrol in the Combined First Reconciliaiton & First Eucharist programme.

CONFIRMATION – Children in Year 6 or older who have received the Sacrament of First Eucharist are eligible to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.

At Our Lady of Victories Parish Community we have a parish-based sacrament programme.

This programme assists parents in the preparation of their children for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and Eucharist. The programme is appropriate to your child’s age and level of education. It is presumed that the child’s knowledge of the sacraments will be built upon by further instruction, example at home and at school, and regular attendance at Mass. This will enable both faith and understanding to grow.

What’s it like?….

… a positive experience … a chance to grow … a gentle approach …

lots of time for parents to share with their children … a time for parents to renew their own understanding… a real quality time ….

You must take the responsibility to find out what you need to know.

The details that you are most likely to see will include times for the Parent Meeting for the particular Sacrament that you are interested in.

Who can enrol in the programmes?

RECONCILIATION candidates must be in Year 3 or older and be a member of Our Lady of Victories Parish Horsley Park and Kemps Creek.

CONFIRMATION candidates must be in Year 6 or older and be a member of Our Lady of Victories Parish Horsley Park and Kemps Creek.

FIRST EUCHARIST candidates must be in Year 3 or older and be a member of Our Lady of Victories Parish Horsley Park and Kemps Creek.

OK – so, how’s it organised?

In 2024 the Sacraments will be celebrated as follows:

RECONCILIATION – will be celebrated in Term 3 or Term 4 – date to be advised.

CONFIRMATION – will be celebrated in Term 3 or Term 4 – date to be advised.

FIRST EUCHARIST – will be celebrated in Term 3 or Term 4 – date to be advised.

Please note that the above dates may be subject to change. Specific details will be announced in our weekly bulletin.

The format for each Sacrament is as follows:

PARENT MEETING

Parent information and enrolment night will be held on Monday 12th February 2024 @7.00pm,
at Our Lady Of Victories Catholic Church, Horsley Park.

Parent information meetings are held in the church. During this parents-only evening, input will be given on the particular Sacrament, plus details of the classes for the programme and information related to the celebration of the Sacrament. We ask that you please do not bring children to this meeting.

COMMITMENT MASS

ALL CANDIDATES are expected to attend one of the Commitment Masses:

Saturday Vigil Mass, Sunday morning Masses or evening Mass at Horsley Park.

During the Mass, children and their parents will be invited to promise that they will prepare for the sacrament to the best of their ability, by attending all sessions and doing the required activities. The parish community will also be invited to promise their prayerful support for the candidates throughout the programme.

WEEKLY GROUP SESSIONS

Each group is facilitated by one of the group leaders who give generously of their time to assist parents in the process of sacrament preparation. This approach supports the parents but is not intended to take over their full responsibility.

Children and parents participate in these groups outside school hours.

Each group session lasts about 75 minutes (we suggest you allow yourself ninety minutes).