Reflection
Easter - Jesus is Risen!
Easter is not just a day, it is a season that goes from 5 April until 24 May, Pentecost Sunday. It is good to ask the question – what does Easter 2026 mean for us? Pope Leo points us in the right direction in his 2026 Easter message. He made some points that are valuable for us to reflect on:
In the light of Easter, let us allow ourselves to be amazed by Christ! Let us allow our hearts to be transformed by his immense love for us! Let those who have weapons lay them down! Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace! Not a peace imposed by force, but through dialogue! Not with the desire to dominate others, but to encounter them!
At this time, let us abandon every desire for conflict, domination, and power, and implore the Lord to grant his peace to a world ravaged by wars and marked by a hatred and indifference that make us feel powerless in the face of evil. To the Lord we entrust all hearts that suffer and await the true peace that only he can give. Let us entrust ourselves to him and open our hearts to him! He is the only one who makes all things new (cf. Rev 21:5).
The Sacraments
Catholics believe that the Holy Spirit acts through the Church in a life-giving way, which is called grace. The seven sacraments are visible ways through which the Holy Spirit acts. By participating in and receiving the sacraments, we come closer to Jesus, who is present in all of them. The Church celebrates seven sacraments. These are Baptism Eucharist, Reconciliation, Confirmation, Marriage, Holy Orders and Anointing,
A number of our students at Nazareth have been baptised into the Catholic Church but have not as yet received Reconciliation, Holy Communion or Confirmation.
We can offer a program for students who have not been Baptised, or made their First Communion, Reconciliation and /or Confirmation. This allows them to participate more effectively in our Liturgical activities and also provides them with valuable support for their classroom program. Above all, the Sacraments are a wonderful way to encounter Jesus!
If you would like your son or daughter to be a part of this program, we would welcome their involvement. The program will take place during College hours in Term 2 commencing in week four with the ceremony taking place later in the year in a home Parish.
If you would like to discuss this matter further, please contact Mr Peter Stewart at the College. peter.stewart@nazareth.vic.edu.au by Tuesday 5 May.
Mr Peter Stewart
Director of Faith and Mission