PARISH CELEBRATION OF THE SACRAMENTS OF CONFIRMATION & EUCHARIST

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In keeping with the Archdiocesan Sacramental Policy for celebration of Sacraments with Children, our parish’s preparation programme focuses heavily on supporting parents in fulfilling their prime responsibility for the faith formation of their children.) One or both promised to bring their child up in the “practice of the faith” at his/her Baptism.)
​– See here for a description of the Respective Roles of the Parish and the Parent(s).

Where you began....:
At the Baptism of your child, one of the blessings recognised you as the parent(s) being the “first and best educators of your child in the ways of faith” and the Godparent(s), on behalf of the believing community promised to “help the parents of this child in their duty as Christian Parents.” Our Sacramental Programme reflects the commitment the Godparents made on our behalf – we will help you parents as you continue to educate your child in the ways of faith.​

The Programme:
Our programme is a purely Family-Based programme and is for children who turn 7 years or older in the current year. It is all done in the context of your family. It assumes that you live in and/or worship here at Stafford. The school your child attends is not relevant at all (We have both State and Catholic schools in our parish). The composition of your family, its ethnicity, or its history is irrelevant. All that is needed is a desire and a commitment from the parent(s) to grow in their own faith and to help their child do the same.
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Timing:
Normally around late May/early June we advertise for parent(s) to come to an Introduction Meeting (which is not optional) to find out more about the programme and then to enrol in the actual journey of faith with their child(ren). This advertisement will be published in the Parish newsletter, the newsletters of all the local State Schools (notice is sent to these schools – we cannot be responsible for their publication), and our local Catholic School “Queen of Apostles”.

The Sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated somewhere around September. The child receives his/her First Communion at the usual Mass the family worships at. The date of this is after he/she and the parents have finished all the programme’s requirements and the parents consider the child ready. (There is no “First Communion” Mass with all the children from the programme celebrating together). Faith is a journey and develops in different ways in different people – it’s not a programme with the same starting and finishing time.​

Some Videos about the Preparation and Celebration of the Sacraments:
You may find an excellent video and FAQ’s on the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist (Communion) by selecting the following links which are on the Archdiocesan Website: http://flameoffaith.org.au/confirmation and http://flameoffaith.org.au/eucharist . 

The Sacrament of Penance (Confession) – First Rite is prepared for and celebrated in the year the child turns at least 10 years old. Normally advertising for this programme happens late January/early February. Refer to http://flameoffaith.org.au/penance.
​OUR ROLE AS PARISH:
The Godparent(s), on behalf of the whole church, promised to “help the parents of this child in their duty as Christian Parents” (from the Baptism Ceremony) and this is what we commit to do. We as a parish community will continue to fulfil that promise by doing the following to help you in the Christian faith development of your child:
  1. We will be available to you whenever possible to support you in your own faith development through personal discussion, input via regular parent meetings, adult education for the wider parish, or whatever means required.
  2. We will make available to you resources to help you create a routine of family prayer.
  3. We will provide support for you to enable you to be more involved in our Weekly gathering at Mass with your child(ren).
  4. We will give you resources to help yourself and your child understand the meaning of the Sacraments.
  5. If you have “issues” with the church with regard to its position on various subjects (real or misunderstood), we will help you understand the reality of the situation and support you in the celebration of the Sacraments.

OUR ROLE AS PARENT(S):
As parent(s), you made this commitment to your child, yourselves and the Church Community at the Baptism of your child: “... you are accepting the responsibility of training him/her in the practice of the faith. It will be your duty to bring them up to keep God’s commandments as Christ taught us...” and ...” if your faith makes you ready to accept this responsibility, renew now the vows of your own Baptism.” (Quotes from the Baptism ceremony of your child(ren))
  1. We/I will strive to establish/continue regular family prayer that is integrated into our current life.
  2. We/I will strive to bring/continue to bring our/my child(ren) to one of the Parish Masses each weekend and be participate fully
  3. We/I will encourage my child(ren) in their knowledge and understanding of the Sacraments using the family resources provided.
  4. We/I will make it a priority to attend the Parent meetings for our/my own support and information.
  5. We/I will continue to encourage our/my child(ren) to do things for others thus developing an ethic of “making the world a better place”.