Religious Dimension
As the Year 5 and 6 students continue to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation we focus our thoughts on what the Sacrament of Confirmation means. Confirmation is a Catholic Sacrament of mature Christian commitment and a deepening of baptismal gifts. Confirmation perfects our baptism and brings us the graces of the Holy Spirit that were granted to the Apostles on Pentecost Sunday. It is most often associated with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Confirmation is a true sacrament instituted by Christ. It is administered by laying-on of hands and anointing with chrism accompanied by prayer. The chrism is blessed by the bishop and the bishop administers the Sacrament.
Confirmation Name
Our given names are a very important part of our identity. Parents put a lot of thought into choosing a child’s name. It is appropriate for a candidate to confirm the name given at Baptism. If a saint’s name is chosen, it should be a name of a saint that inspires the child. Choosing a Confirmation name helps put us in contact with our greater Christian story.
A list of some of the gifts of the Holy Spirit:
Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Fear of the Lord,
A list of some of the fruits of the Holy Spirit:
Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Generosity, Gentleness, Faithfulness, Reverence and Self-control.
A prayer for those students receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation:
“Creator Spirit, strengthen these children with your gifts of grace, to love and serve as a disciple of Christ.
Grant that they may grow into the fullness of the stature of Christ. Fill them with the joy of your presence. Increase in them the fruit of your Spirit, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of love, patience and gentleness, the spirit of wonder and true holiness.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
Mothers Day
This Sunday we celebrate Mother’s Day. A special day to highlight the central roles our Mothers play in our lives. We also celebrate all the other women in our lives such as grandmothers, stepmothers, aunts, cousins, teachers and special friends who have helped to shape and form us into the person we are today. I would like to especially thank the Parents and Friends Committee for purchasing and organising the gifts for the Mother’s Day Stall which will be held tomorrow. Thank you to all the volunteers who will be helping out on this day too.
We pray to our Mother Mary to bless all the mothers of St Joseph's School community. May Mother Mary bless you all, inspiring and energising you by her gentle example of love and perseverance. May she guide you each day as you care and guide your child/ren to grow and flourish.
Below is a prayer you may like to pray together with your family on Mother’s Day.
Dear Lord,
We pray for young mothers, who give life and count toes and tend to our every need; may they be blessed with patience and tenderness to care for their families and themselves with great joy. We pray for our own mothers who have nurtured and cared for us; may they continue to guide us in strong and gentle ways. We remember mothers who are separated from their children because of war, poverty or conflict; may they feel the loving embrace of our God who wipes away every tear. We pray for women who are not mothers but still love and shape us with motherly care and compassion. We remember mothers, grandmothers, and great grandmothers who are no longer with us but who live forever etched in our memory, with love.
Amen.
jhayes@sjsorrento.catholic.edu.au