On Thursday, the 14th of August 2025, Good Shepherd Parish and St Justin's celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation at St Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne, Victoria. It was a really special day for all of us and will never be forgotten. This year was the Jubilee Year and we were lucky enough to have our confirmation at the Cathedral.

Before the Mass we took many photos in front of the Cathedral with our families and sponsors. When I walked into the Cathedral, I was amazed, it looked beautiful. The stained glass windows looked magical in the light shining through them! The outside of the Cathedral was stunning. I took many photos, of the windows, the outside and the appealing inside. The inside of the front of the Church was beautiful, the altar was pretty as well as the roof. The roof had lovely patterns on it. Before the Mass started I was really nervous because I (Xavier Peric) was reading and it was really an important role for myself.

My sponsor was my Uncle Pepe aka Uncle Joseph and I chose him because he has been a big part of my life and I spend a lot of time with him. My sponsor (Nikitta) was my grandma. I also spend a lot of time with her and I chose her because she takes care of me, and also like Xavier's uncle, she's very important to me and my life. Having our sponsors with us while we were doing our Confirmation was really important to all of us, because the people we chose were all important and mean a lot to us. Having confirmation is really important when being a christian too, we were so lucky to do it with St Justins and also be at the famous Cathedral.

The Mass was led by Archbishop Peter Comensoli, Father Andrew and Father John were there too. It felt really cool to be confirmed by the Archbishop in such a special Church. Who knows, he might be a Pope in the future. When it was my turn to read (Xavier) I went up to the altar with the RE teacher from St Justins’, I was nervous at first but during the reading it felt really good and then when I went back to my seat I just thought, ‘Yes, It's finally out of the way!’

When the Archbishop anointed us, it was really an amazing experience for all of us.

Xavier and Nikitta
6EL

This year, our Year Sixes were lucky to be confirmed at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. It was a special experience that we will always remember.

The night started with everyone gathering at the front of the Cathedral, taking photos and getting ready for the Mass. There was a mix of excitement and nerves. At exactly 6 o’clock, the Mass began. Archbishop Peter, Father Andrew, and Father John walked up to the altar and the celebration started.

Archbishop Peter spoke to us about Confirmation. He explained that through this sacrament, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. He told us that we are now young adult members of the Church and that we are called to live our faith each day. Then, the Confirmation began. I (Anthony) was the first person to be confirmed. It felt very special.

After Confirmation, we had Communion. I (Anthony) was chosen to bring up the offertory, which was a proud moment for me. When Communion was finished, the Mass ended, and we were happy to take some photos with Archbishop Peter.

When I (Zac) arrived at the Cathedral, I felt nervous but also excited. My sponsor went up to the altar with me. After I received Confirmation, I felt much more calm. I was proud to have taken this step, and I know many of my classmates felt the same. It was also great to see the big Cathedral and meet the Archbishop.

Being confirmed and receiving the Holy Spirit is an important part of our journey as Catholics. It means we are now ready to take on more responsibility in the Church and to grow stronger in our faith.

This night will be one of my favourite memories from Year 6. It was a big moment that I will always remember.

Zachary and Anthony
6MP

On Thursday, 14th of August, the Year 6 Catholic students from Good Shepherd and St Justin’s’, made their Sacrament of Confirmation at Saint Patrick's Cathedral in the city.

We all had lots of fun throughout this journey in Grade 6. Some people felt nervous while others were excited to make this special Sacrament. Our teachers beforehand told us everything we needed to know and left no questions unanswered. We also did a Saint Project in class and made an A3 poster of our Saint. We had to include facts about our Saint that we look up to and the Saint that we want to become like. The day after our Confirmation our teachers were asking how everyone felt about their Confirmation.

The Cathedral was really enormous and beautiful. It had a lovely rainbow glass mosaic for its roof, LOTS of seats and a marbled altar with stairs leading up to it where Archbishop Peter and Father Andrew sealed us with the gift of the Holy Spirit. At school we looked at the top view blueprint of the church and it was shaped like a big cross.

At the Cathedral, we celebrated Mass with the Archbishop, Father Andrew and Father John. Both Father Andrew and Archbishop Peter Comensoli sealed us with the Gift of the Holy Spirit. We confirmed our love to God by saying “I do” and we renewed our baptismal promises. Having our Confirmation at the St Patrick's Cathedral was a real privilege which the Grade 6's from last year didn't get to do. Our teachers were there to guide us on what we to do and where we to go.

WHAT THE STUDENTS FELT:

“I was feeling quite nervous and excited, but really there was nothing to worry about. It was a new and fun experience for every single one of us.”

“ Making my Confirmation was really exciting but as I walked up the altar I got nervous, however, the process was quick and the nerves quickly went away. I was really happy to be blessed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Grace and Zoe
6NB

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