Faith Family Night – Preparing for Eucharist

Last night, we welcomed our Eucharist candidates and their families to our Faith Family Night as they continue their journey towards receiving the Sacrament of the Eucharist.

It was a wonderful evening of reflection and learning as we explored the key themes of the

Eucharist: Meal, Sacrifice, and Memory. Through a variety of engaging activities and shared discussions, families and candidates had the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the significance of the Eucharist within our Catholic faith and reflect on how these themes connect to our daily lives.

The evening provided a special opportunity for families to learn alongside one another, strengthening the partnership between home, school, and parish as we support our children in their faith formation.

Thank you to all the families who attended and for the important role you play in walking alongside your children on their faith journey. Your presence, encouragement, and commitment make these milestones even more meaningful. We look forward to celebrating with our Eucharist candidates and their families on Saturday, 1st August, as they receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist—a joyful and significant milestone in their faith journey.

Key information about our Celbration of First Eucharist: Saturday 1st August, 2026

Arrival Time & Duration

The St. Peter’s Parish First Eucharist candidates will be receiving the Sacrament of First Eucharist at St. Monica’s College, 400 Dalton Road Epping, in the College Stadium on Saturday August 1st, 2026.
The Mass will begin promptly at 12:00pm.
Doors will open at 11:15am
Candidates and their immediate family must arrive before 11:30am
All other guests must arrive before 11:45am for an immediate start at 12:00pm.

Parking

General street parking along Dalton Road, we have arranged for the car parking at Melbourne Polytechnic (Epping Campus) located across the road from St. Monica’s to be open for our use free of charge to families.

Seating arrangements

Seating will be allocated to candidates and to families.

Blue section:
- Candidates will be sitting together in school groups, along with staff members
Green section:
- Each family will be allocated a row with 10 seats
- Family names of the communicant will be on the end of the seats.
Yellow section
- Extra seating for additional guests. These are unallocated.

Religious Education Symposium: Inspired by Faith

Across two inspiring days, the Religious Education Symposium brought together

international and national experts, along with local Religious Education leaders, to explore key elements of the new Religious Education curriculum. The program included engaging keynote presentations and workshops that focused on contemporary approaches to Scripture, effective pedagogy, Catholic identity, and our shared mission of excellence across the Archdiocese.

Claire, Jess and I were fortunate to attend and participate in a range of workshops and keynote sessions. Each offered valuable insights that we look forward to sharing with our staff and students.

One presentation that particularly resonated with me was by Br William Short OFM, a Franciscan Friar and Professor of Spirituality at the Franciscan School of Theology at the University of San Diego. In preparation for the 2026 Franciscan Jubilee Year, Br William spoke beautifully about the life and legacy of St Francis of Assisi.

Br William shared the rich history of St Francis, highlighting that unlike many saints who are remembered for one particular ministry or cause, St Francis embraced many different aspects of Christian life. His deep love for creation was especially inspiring.

One story that stood out was the well-known account of St Francis and the flock of birds. As he approached them, the birds did not fly away. Surprised by their stillness, St Francis paused and reflected on what God might be asking of him. He then began preaching to the birds, praising God for the gift of all creation. Br William explained that this encounter became a profound moment in St Francis' spiritual journey, deepening his understanding of the relationship between prayer, all living creatures, and God's presence in the world.

This story reminds us of the importance of caring for creation and recognising God's love in all living things. As we continue to grow in our understanding and practice of Religious Education, we look forward to bringing these insights into our school community and sharing them with our students throughout the year.

Sarah

Education in Faith Leader

Sarah.Spiteri@smcmeppingnth.catholic.edu.au

Child Safety