Nanette Giovannini
Telephone:
(03) 9890 2510
Email: nanette.giovannini@cam.org.au

Sacrament Program for School Aged Children

This will be a busy year across our parishes and schools as we will be completing preparation that was begun in 2020 and we will have many celebrations of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation to make up for those who could not celebrate them in 2020 and for those who will enrol in 2021.  The dates for Reconciliation and Eucharist have been set and our enrolment forms are available to complete.
 
The journey of sacramental learning is an inherent component of Religious Education in all year levels in both our primary and secondary Catholic schools and those families with children attending Catholic primary schools across our parishes generally prepare for the sacrament appropriate for their year level and will be enrolled at the school level by their teacher and Religious Education Leader.

Children attending other schools are invited to register to participate in our parish preparation program. The program runs one afternoon a week, after school, for around 6 weeks prior to the celebration of the sacrament. 

As part of the sacramental preparation, all candidates attend a Reflection Day at OLPS School (Reconciliation) or Don Bosco Retreat Centre Lysterfield (First Eucharist). Confirmation candidates will also attend a Reflection Day, details will be provided nearer the time.

Reconciliation

First Reconciliation for school-aged children has been celebrated across our parishes for 2021.  Details about the Sacramental Program for 2022 will be available later in the year.

First Eucharist

First Eucharist (previously known as First Communion) is the second sacrament of initiation into the Catholic Community. 

Children preparing to receive the Sacrament of Eucharist for the first time are usually in Year 4 of their primary school education. In most instances, these children will have prepared for and received the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the previous year (Year 3). These circumstances can vary.

The following dates have been set for the celebration of the Sacrament of the Eucharist for 2021:

Surrey Hills Wattle Park Parish

Sunday, 30 May at 2.00 pm (for those who were prepared in 2020)

Sunday, 6 June at 2.00 pm (for those who enrol for the first time in 2021)

Camberwell and Balwyn Deepdene Parishes

Sunday, 30 May at 4.00 pm (for those who were prepared in 2020)

Sunday, 6 June at 4.00 pm (for those who enrol for the first time in 2021)

Confirmation

The Sacrament of Confirmation is the third sacrament of initiation into the Catholic Church. Children preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation are usually in Year 5 or 6 of their primary school education. In most instances, these children will have prepared for and received the Sacrament of Reconciliation in Year 3 and the Sacrament of Eucharist in Year 4.  These circumstances can vary.

Confirmation dates for 2021

The Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated across Camberwell, Balwyn, Deepdene and Surrey Hills Wattle Park Parishes.  There are a number of celebrations taking place in 2021.

Confirmation I

If your child:-

(a) attended a Catholic school; and
(b) was in Year 6 in 2020

they would have been taught a Religious Education unit about receiving the Holy Spirit.

They are invited to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation at the end of July or early August and to attend a Refresher and Rehearsal Class.

Online registrations will close on Monday, 19 July.

Dates for Confirmation I

Surrey Hills Wattle Park Parish -Refresher and Rehearsal Class
Thursday, 22 July from 4.15 pm to 5.15 pm
Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church, 301 Elgar Road, Surrey Hills

Confirmation Masses
Friday, 30 July at 6.00 pm
Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church, 301 Elgar Road, Surrey Hills

Sunday, 1 August at 2.00 pm
Our Holy Redeemer Church, 4 Barton Street, Surrey Hills

Confirmation II

If your child:-

(a) was in Year 6 in 2020 and attended a non-Catholic school; or
(b) is currently in Year 6**

they will celebrate in early November.  The after school preparation program will commence in early October.

**Those families with children currently in Year 6 at either Our Lady of Good Counsel Primary School, Deepdene; Our Holy Redeemer Primary School, Surrey Hills or Our Lady’s Primary School, Wattle Park will be enrolled at the school level by their teacher and Religious Education Leader.

Online registrations are currently open and will close on Monday, 27 September.

Dates for Confirmation II

Confirmation Masses
Surrey Hills Wattle Park Parish
Sunday, 7 November at 3.00 pm
Our Holy Redeemer Church, 4 Barton Street, Surrey Hills

Camberwell, Balwyn Deepdene Parish
Sunday, 14 November at 3.00 pm
Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 10 Whitehorse Road, Deepdene

After School Preparation Classes
Will run for five weeks from:-

• Thursday, 7 October from 4.15 pm to 5.15 pm at Our Holy Redeemer Parish Office, 4 Barton Street, Surrey Hills for Surrey Hills Wattle Park Parish.
• Friday, 8 October from 4.00 pm to 5.00 pm at Our Lady of Good Counsel Primary School, 12 Whitehorse Road, Deepdene for Camberwell, Balwyn & Deepdene Parish.

A Reflection Day will also take place at both parishes, details to be confirmed.

Confirmation Registration
If you wish to arrange for your child to be confirmed, please complete the Confirmation Registration Form.  

Baptism

Baptism is the first sacrament of initiation into the Catholic Church, followed by First Eucharist and concluded by the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Baptism ceremonies occur at both of our Parish churches. They are presently held on the fourth Sunday of the month, during the early afternoon.  A minimum of one parent and one Godparent must be a baptised Catholic.

Baptism Preparation, for the parent/s, consists of a meeting with the Parish Sacramental Coordinator, a minimum of one week prior to the Baptism. Families are requested to watch the Flame of Faith clip.The Parish provides a Baptism Stole for the recipient and families provide the Baptism Candle.  Please click on the tab below for further Baptism information.
To register your interest in Baptism, please complete the Baptism Registration form below.

If you have any questions or wish to discuss arrangements, please contact the Parish Sacramental Coordinator, Nanette Giovannini.