Catholic Identity
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
We pray for all students who will me taking part in the Sacrament of Reconciliation next Friday the 20th of June, 2pm at St. Mary's Church. Reconciliation candidates are requested to wear full school uniformfor the liturgy.
Baptism Certificates: For your child to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, your child must have been baptised in the Roman Catholic Church. If you have not yet done so, please kindly email me a copy of your child's Baptismal Certificate ASAP.
In preparation for the Sacrament, students took part in a Reflection Day where we gathered together in prayer through scripture, story and song. Students participated in meaningful activities and reflected on the importance of forgiveness and God’s loving mercy. A special thank you to Mr. Mc Geough, Mrs. O, Ms. Sarah, Mrs. Whatmore and Mr. Anderson for supporting us throughout this special day.
A big thank you to Fr Martin for leading our Family Preparation Session and to all families for their attendance. Your active participation plays a vital role in your child’s faith journey.
RITE OF RECONCILIATION:
As part of the session, we discussed how the "Rite of Reconciliation" will take place during our Liturgy.
Please note the following:
Candidates will be seated in alphabetical order.
When your child is called, parent/s are requested to walk their child up to the altar to bow before presenting them to the priest.
Once presented, your child will remain seated with the priest for the Rite of Reconciliation and parent/s will walk back to the centre to light a candle.
Parents will then return to their seats for quiet prayer and reflection and read the article on Forgiveness, which will be placed on your seats.
After the priest blesses your child they will be asked to pray at the kneeler before returning to their seats.
- On their return, students will have quiet activities to complete. This includes activities in their Reconciliation workbook that they have been going through this term. You may wish to use this time to have a look at some of their wonderful work.
We kindly ask families to support us in making this time of our liturgy a quiet and respectful space for prayer and reflection, honouring the sacred moment for our candidates as they receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
REMINDER:
Sacramental Stoles: Please ensure that your child has been provided with a white stole to be worn on the day of their Sacrament of Reconciliation. On the stole, the student’s name will be placed on the side with the school logo (embroidered, ironed, glued or written) and a symbol of the sacrament on the other side. Symbols of Reconciliation may include praying hands, Bible, prayer book and cross. For more Reconciliation symbols please view the link below (under Reconciliation Symbols heading): https://www.nancyscreations.com.au/symbols_fonts.html
For any further questions regarding the Sacrament, please don't hesistate to reach out.
We look forward to sharing this special day with you.
Veronica Del Castillo
(Religious Education Leader)
vdelcastillo@smhampton.catholic.edu.au
FAMILY GOSPEL REFLECTION
Whatever the Father has is mine. The Spirit of truth will guide us.
Think of the last time you witnessed an act of selfless love in your family. Parents and caregivers of all kinds are called upon to act selflessly every day. Family life calls us to share selfless love with one another.
God is the model for us of selfless love. There was no need for God to create our planet or the creatures that inhabit it; it was an act of selfless love. There was also no need for God to send his only Son to save us. That too was an act of selfless love.
As we draw closer to God and the mystery of the Trinity, we learn about God's love. God has lavished us with love in the persons of the Son and the Spirit, who in turn nurture in us the desire to do the same. When we open ourselves to be filled with an awareness of the divine life within us, we participate in the endless spiral of love that leads to eternal life. Whenever we share selfless love in the family, we are sharing in the life of the Trinity