Principal's Message 

CONFIRMATION PRAYER 

Spirit of God, grant me: the gift of wisdom to see the world 

through your eyes,the gift of counsel to make difficult decisions, 

the gifts of knowledge and understanding 

to use my mind to know you and to love you,

the gift of fortitude to have the courage to live in the faith 

despite the difficulties and disappointments, 

the gift of piety to be able to express my special love 

and commitment to you, 

and the right kind of awesome fear that makes me 

pause to wonder and revere god’s love. Amen.

Spirit Filled

Dear Families,

Confirmation marks the completion of Christian initiation, which began at Baptism. In the early Church, Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist were celebrated together as a single continuous rite. As Catholics, we believe the Holy Spirit is first received at Baptism, while Confirmation serves as the sealing and completion of that divine gift. Confirmation accentuates our active response to the Spirit within us, fostering acceptance, gratitude, and a deeper commitment to life within our faith community.

Our Year 6 students are now in the final stages of their preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Over the past several months, their classroom work, personal reflection, prayer, and study have focused on the action of the Holy Spirit in their lives. As part of this journey, the students recently participated in a Confirmation Reflection Day; a valuable opportunity to pray, bond with peers, and deepen their relationship with God.

The Reflection Day focused on what it truly means to be a "Spirit filled" person. While we often associate this phrase with saints of the past like St Peter, St Ignatius, or St John Bosco, it is a calling for everyone. In fact, many of our candidates named their own parents and family friends as the primary Spirit filled figures in their lives.

To be Spirit filled means prioritising love for self, others, and God. A Spirit filled person lets kindness be their primary guide; showing compassion towards people, animals, and our shared home, the earth. By recognising and honouring the love of God dwelling within us, we learn to live out this faith daily.

During their Reflection Day, the students were visited by Very Rev. Andrzej (Andrew) Mądry CR, Episcopal Vicar for the Southern Region. As our diocese is currently awaiting the appointment of a new bishop, Fr Andrew will celebrate the Confirmation Mass on Friday evening as the delegated authority. The Sacrament of Confirmation will take place at 5pm Friday (tomorrow).

During the Confirmation ceremony, the candidates will take four key steps in their commitment:

• Presentation: Candidates are formally presented to the celebrant and the community.
• Renewal of Baptismal Promises: Candidates reaffirm the promises made at their Baptism.
• Laying on of Hands: The celebrant blesses each candidate, invoking the power and strength of the Holy Spirit.
• Anointing with Chrism: The celebrant anoints each candidate with sacred chrism while speaking their chosen Confirmation name, welcoming them as fully initiated members of the Church.

Please keep our candidates in your prayers as they complete their preparations.

Regards

Brian Martin

Principal