School-aged Sacraments

Reconciliation

Jesus gave the Church, through Saint Peter, the power to forgive or to retain sins. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is the means by which the Church exercises the ministry of forgiveness. Even after Baptism and Confirmation, we remain fragile beings. As a result, every so often we turn away and from time to time, break off our relationship with God. When this happens, we are in need of forgiveness and healing.

It is through the sacrament of Reconciliation that we meet Jesus. It is through this Sacrament that He restores hope, completeness, and fulfilment. In this way we find closeness and are reconciled with ourselves and God.

First Reconciliation for Children

This program is an annual event for children who have been baptized in the catholic faith.

Our First Reconciliation program here at St. John 23rd endeavours to teach children the significance of God’s forgiveness for our sins and how his healing reconciles us to Him.

Enrollment forms will only be available at the Parents’ Information Night only.

Confirmation

The Sacrament of Confirmation completes the initiation of the baptised into the fullness of Christian life within the Church. Confirmation is a sacrament through which we receive the Holy Spirit making us stronger and more complete Christians. In Baptism we are made Christians, but become more fully alive when we are endowed with the Holy Spirit in Confirmation. Confirmation is a reaffirming of our baptism. Those who receive Confirmation receive the grace to accept the responsibility to live as Christ did, by word and actions, and to spread and preserve the faith. It also gives us the strength ‘to endure to the end’ and provides us with the grace and virtues necessary to save our souls, so we can say as St Paul said;

“I have fought a good fight: I have finished my course: I have kept the faith”.

Confirmation for Children

This is an annual program for children who have been baptized in the Catholic faith and have received the sacrament of communion.

Confirmation is the sacrament which ‘seals’ or ‘reaffirms’ our baptism before we take the final step in becoming a full member of the Catholic Church – sharing in Holy Communion for the first time.

For enquiries, please contact Helen on 8883 5981 or email sacramental@john23rd.org.au

Confirmation Program for adults

Our Diocese organises a preparation program for adults each year (who have already received the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation and Eucharist) to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. See Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)