Education in Faith

Loving God,

We thank You for the children who have received the Eucharist for the first time. Fill their hearts with joy as they welcome Jesus in a special way.

May they always know Your love and feel Your presence in their lives. Help them to follow Jesus, make kind choices, and share His love with others each day.

Bless their families, teachers, and all who guide them in faith. May this special celebration be the beginning of a lifelong friendship with You.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Eucharist Celebration

On Saturday evening, the Year 4 children from St Fidelis celebrated the Sacrament of the Eucharist for the first time. This was a special and significant milestone in their faith journey as they received Holy Communion and shared in the Body and Blood of Christ. After many weeks of preparation, prayer, and learning, the children gathered with their families, teachers, and parish community to celebrate this sacred occasion. We congratulate the children on this important step in their faith and thank their families for their support throughout their sacramental journey. We thank Father Brendan Reed for leading such a lovely and meaningful celebration. His warmth and guidance helped make this occasion very special for our children and families.

St Fidelis Choir

We extend our sincere thanks to the St Fidelis Choir, especially our Year 3 children, for generously giving their time and sharing their talents as part of this special Eucharist celebration. Their beautiful singing enriched the liturgy and helped create a joyful and prayerful atmosphere for all who attended. We are grateful for their commitment and the wonderful contribution they made to this meaningful occasion.

Eucharist retreat day

Thank you to all the year 4 children who participated so enthusiastically in the Eucharist Retreat Day on Friday. Throughout the day, the children engaged in a variety of learning experiences that helped deepen their understanding of the Eucharist and its importance in their faith journey. We also extend our gratitude to the Vocation Team for being part of the retreat and for sharing their time, knowledge, and faith with our students, helping to make the day a meaningful and enriching experience for all.

Confirmation Information

Parent -Child Faith Workshop Evening - Wednesday 29th July at 7.00pm St Fidelis Hall

We invite all Confirmation candidates and their families to attend our Faith Night, facilitated by Sarah Smith. This evening will provide an opportunity for reflection, prayer, and preparation as the children continue their journey towards receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation- Saturday 1st August at 12.00pm at St Joseph's Church Brunswick

Our Year 6 children, together with the Year 6 students from St Joseph's School, will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation. This special occasion marks an important milestone in their faith journey as they are strengthened by the gifts of the Holy Spirit and continue to grow as active members of the Church community. We look forward to gathering with our candidates and their families as they celebrate this significant step in their sacramental journey.

Serve at the Altar

We invite young people in our parish to become Altar Servers, a special way to serve God and our community at Mass. Altar Servers assist the priest and take part closely in the liturgy, growing in faith, confidence and teamwork while building friendships along the way. It is a meaningful leadership role where young people can deepen their love of the Eucharist and grow in service of others. No experience is needed, training will be provided. Young people from Year 4 and above who have received First Eucharist are welcome.

What’s happening in Religious Education at St Fidelis Year 4

Last Friday, the Year 4 children participated in a meaningful Eucharist Retreat Day as part of their preparation for receiving the Sacrament of Eucharist. The day began with the children gathering together in prayer and reflection as they unpacked Matthew’s Gospel. Through discussion and shared reflection, the students explored the message of the Gospel and considered how Jesus calls us to live as people of faith, compassion, and service.

Throughout the day, the children were given opportunities to deepen their understanding of the Sacrament of Eucharist and to revisit the learning from Sarah Smith’s Eucharist workshop. Through a range of engaging activities, discussions, and personal reflections, they explored the significance of the Eucharist in the lives of Catholics and the ways in which it strengthens our relationship with Jesus and one another.

As part of their reflection, the children considered several important questions:

What is the meaning of Eucharist?
Why do we use a chalice and host during Mass?
How does receiving Holy Communion help us remember and connect with Jesus?
Why is receiving the Eucharist a special and important occasion in your faith journey?

The children shared thoughtful responses, demonstrating a growing understanding of the Eucharist as a sacred gift and a celebration of Jesus’ presence with us. The retreat day provided a valuable opportunity for prayer, learning, and reflection as the children continue their preparation for this important milestone in their faith journey.

The day continued as we engaged in learning with Fr John Vespa, Aleksandra and Marc from Vocation Melbourne who facilitated a Eucharist learning session. During this time, the children explored the connection between receiving the Eucharist and living out their vocation as followers of Christ. Drawing inspiration from St Carlo Acutis, the session encouraged the students to reflect on practical ways they can grow in holiness and deepen their relationship with Jesus in their everyday lives.

We ended the day with a special visit to the church, where the children explored the different parts of the Mass and deepened their understanding of the sacred symbols and objects used during the Eucharistic celebration. Fr John Vespa guided the children through the church, explaining the significance of important symbols such as the altar, tabernacle, chalice, host, vestments, and sacred vessels. Through his explanations, the children gained a greater appreciation of how these symbols help us encounter God's presence and participate fully in the celebration of the Mass.

As part of their final preparation for receiving the Sacrament of Eucharist, the children were also given the opportunity to taste an unconsecrated host. This helped them become familiar with an important element of the Eucharistic celebration and provided a meaningful connection to what they would experience when receiving Holy Communion for the first time.

The retreat day was a prayerful, reflective, and enriching experience for all of our Year 4 students. Throughout the day, the children engaged thoughtfully in a variety of activities that helped them deepen their understanding of the Eucharist, strengthen their faith, and prepare their hearts for this important milestone in their sacramental journey. It was a wonderful opportunity for the children to grow in their relationship with Jesus and reflect on the gift of the Eucharist within our Catholic tradition.

God bless and have a great week.

Religious Education Leader | Annette Gasbarro