Catholic Identity
PRAYER
In a few weeks time our baptised Year 6 students will be joining students from the other five parish schools, to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. The sacrament of Confirmation strengthens and confirms the gifts of the Holy Spirit we receive in Baptism.
During the Mass, the bishop will lay his hands over the candidates and pray that the Holy Spirit fill each one with spiritual gifts. Then, using holy oil, the bishop will make a cross on the person’s forehead. It is usual for the person being confirmed to take on an extra name, that of a particular saint. The saint will be a source of inspiration and an intercessor in prayer to God.
Families are invited to pray the prayer below, so that each one of us may be filled with the grace of God:
A Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Lord Jesus Christ, send down your Spirit upon me.
When I am uncertain, grant me wisdom.
When I am confused, grant me understanding.
When I am ignorant, grant me knowledge.
When I am wandering, grant me counsel.
When I am afraid, grant me fortitude.
When I am separated from you, grant me piety.
When I am selfish, grant me the fear of the Lord.
I ask for an outpouring of your Spirit with all of these gifts in your name.
Amen.
PARISH DINNER DANCE
The Parish will be holding a Dinner Dance on Saturday 29th August from 6:30pm onwards in the St Andrew’s School Hall. Please note that due to unforeseen circumstances the date of the event has had to be moved to the last weekend in August. On the night there will be live music and a buffet dinner. This is a wonderful way to support the vital work of our Parish.
COMMUNITY MASS
Our next Community Mass will be here in the St John’s School Hall this Saturday 25th July. Our Year 6 students are invited to attend this Mass with their families. During the Mass those students preparing to celebrate their Confirmation in August will be presented with copies of the Nicene Creed and the Apostles Creed. Below is a list of the remaining Mass dates for the year, we look forward to seeing many of our families at these:
Saturday 25th July
Saturday 22nd August
Saturday 24th October
Saturday 28th November
SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION
- Tuesday July 21st Family Meeting 6:00pm @ St John’s School Hall
- Saturday August 8th Sacrament of Confirmation @ MacKillop College Werribee
SACRAMENTAL JOURNALS
All baptised Catholic students in Year 3, 4 and 6 are celebrating a Sacrament this year. An important aspect of preparing for any Sacrament is to attend Mass each weekend. Fr Albert is encouraging every child in the Parish of St Andrew’s who is preparing to celebrate a Sacrament this year, to attend Mass regularly, to receive God’s abundant graces.
All students celebrating a Sacrament this year, have received their Sacramental Journal. These Journals are given to all children in the Parish who are preparing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, their First Holy Communion or to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation this year. The Journal is an easy way for families to record the Masses they attend throughout the year. Please remember to take a pen to Mass so the priest can sign your Journal for you at the end of Mass.
PARISH NEWSLETTER