Religious Education    

Sacramental Program 2021

MONTY & ELTHAM

The Catholic Parishes of 

St Francis Xavier & Our Lady Help of Christians

Sacramental Program 2021

 

Preparation for the Sacraments of Initiation is celebrated within a partnership of the family, Parish and school. At Our Lady Help of Christians and St Francis Xavier Parishes, including Holy Trinity School, sacraments are parent initiated, school supported and Parish based. 

 

St Francis Xavier, Holy Trinity and Our Lady Help of Christians schools are very conscious of their responsibility to support parents in all areas of faith development, with a special program being taught during sacramental preparation time. The three schools will be working together in partnership and sharing the responsibility of the sacramental program along with our Parish. Therefore, each school will take turns in hosting Parent Faith Formation Evenings, in a Covid safe manner, for the Sacramental Program in 2021. 

 

Today the Church offers these celebrations but they are not compulsory. The celebration of the sacraments is a faith highlight in anyone's life. We believe your participation as parents is crucial for the development of your child's faith, thus if you would like your child to receive any of the sacraments (Reconciliation, Eucharist or Confirmation) it therefore follows that your participation is compulsory in the parent faith formation nights. 

 

The following dates are important for families involved in the sacramental program for 2021:

 

Year 5 – Sacrament of Eucharist

Eucharist Parent Faith Formation Evenings: will take place over two nights. Parents will book in to attend on one of the nights.

  • Tuesday 11th May at SFX Church, 86 Mayona Rd, Montmorency at 7pm or
  • Wednesday 12th May at OLHC Church, 2 Henry Street, Eltham at 7pm

Sacrament of Eucharist 

Students can celebrate the Sacrament of First Eucharist by booking into any of the 3 Masses offered at OLHC Church or SFX Church over any weekend from Saturday 5th June (Term 2-Week 7) up until Sunday 20th September (Term 3-Week 9). 

 

Mass times are as follows

Saturday night Mass, 6pm at SFX Church, Sunday morning Masses, 8:30am at SFX Church, 10:00am at OLHC Church. The booking process will be discussed at the Eucharist Parent Faith Formation Evening in May.  (Please note First Eucharist will no longer be celebrated in Year 4.  This is a permanent change). 

 

Year 6 - Sacrament of Confirmation 

 

Confirmation Parent Faith Formation Evenings: will take place over two nights. Parents will book in to attend on one of the nights.

  • Tuesday 3rd August at SFX Church at 7pm
  • Wednesday 4th August at OLHC Church at 7pm

Sacrament of Confirmation 

  • Confirmation Rehearsal at St Patrick’s Cathedral on Thursday 21st October (School Excursion).
  • Sunday 24th October. Mass to commence at 2:30pm. Children receive the Sacrament of Confirmation at St Patrick’s Cathedral, 1 Cathedral Pl, East Melbourne. Student Candidates from Holy Trinity, Eltham North, St Francis Xavier, Montmorency and Our Lady Help of Christians, Eltham

 

Sacrament of Confirmation for Year 6 students from 2020, to be anointed the Sacrament of Confirmation.  Fr Michael envisages for children to be invited back to their Parishes over a number of the weekend Masses following Easter up until the weekend of Pentecost Sunday (23rd May 2021). However, more information will follow.

 

Should you have any serious concerns regarding this process, please contact Fr Michael at the Parish office on 9435 2178, otherwise questions will be answered at the Faith Formation Evenings. 

 

We look forward to working with and supporting you as you lead your child more fully into their faith journey in our parish community. 

 

Warm regards,

 

The Educational Leadership Team

Michael F. Sierakowski 

Moderator

Terry Kean

Pastor in Solidum

Kathy Toomey 

Education in Faith Leader

   

Vince Bumpstead

HT Principal

Therese Stewart               

OLHC Acting Principal 

Philip Cachia

SFX Principal