Catholic Identity
Sacramental Program 2026
St Mary of the Angels Parish runs the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Eucharist (First Holy Communion) yearly, with the Sacrament of Confirmation being a biannual event (2027).
Although heavily supported by the school for St Mary of the Angel students, Sacraments are a Church activity and we stress the importance of students and parent/carers attending all catechesis meetings with Father O'Shea (St Mary of the Angels students receive some their Sacramental learning in RE Lessons at school, parents will still be required to complete learning with their child in their own time and attend information/catechesis meetings.
It is imperative that we gather our enrolments of Candidates ASAP, if you know of families outside of our school community who have children to complete their Sacraments please forward them the link for this form or ask them to contact the Parish.
Please note:
Enrolment for our Sacraments are also dependent on students being able to produce their Baptismal Certificates and checks of parish records by Father O'Shea.
Typical age of young person for Sacramental Programs:
- Sacrament of Reconciliation (usually Year Two (7/8 years old) students who have been baptised)
- Sacrament of First Eucharist/ Holy Communion (usually Year Three students (8/9 years old) students who have been Baptised and undergone Sacrament of Reconciliation)
- Sacrament of Confirmation Bi Annual and it is Year 5 or Year 6 Students to be celebrated next year 2027
Further information regarding the dates for mass and meeting attendance will follow to interested participants.
At this stage:
- Sacrament of Reconciliation: Wednesday 27th May 2026
- Sacrament of Holy Communion/First Eucharist: Sunday 7th June 2026
- Sacrament of Confirmation: 2027
Please complete a new form for each child. HERE
Prayer for Peace
Pope Francis
Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!
We have tried so many times and over so many years to resolve our conflicts by our own powers and by the force of our arms. How many moments of hostility and darkness have we experienced; how much blood has been shed; how many lives have been shattered; how many hopes have been buried… But our efforts have been in vain.
Now, Lord, come to our aid! Grant us peace, teach us peace; guide our steps in the way of peace. Open our eyes and our hearts, and give us the courage to say: “Never again war!”; “With war everything is lost”. Instill in our hearts the courage to take concrete steps to achieve peace.
Lord, God of Abraham, God of the Prophets, God of Love, you created us and you call us to live as brothers and sisters. Give us the strength daily to be instruments of peace; enable us to see everyone who crosses our path as our brother or sister. Make us sensitive to the plea of our citizens who entreat us to turn our weapons of war into implements of peace, our trepidation into confident trust, and our quarreling into forgiveness.
Keep alive within us the flame of hope, so that with patience and perseverance we may opt for dialogue and reconciliation.
In this way may peace triumph at last, and may the words “division”, “hatred” and “war” be banished from the heart of every man and woman. Lord, defuse the violence of our tongues and our hands.
Renew our hearts and minds, so that the word which always brings us together will be “brother”, and our way of life will always be that of: Shalom, Peace, Salaam!
Amen.
🍀 St Patrick’s Day Celebration 🍀
On Tuesday 17th March 2026 we will celebrate St Patrick’s Day as a school community. Students will attend Mass at 9:00am, giving us the opportunity to come together in prayer and recognise the life and legacy of St Patrick. All families and parishioners are welcome to attend!
In the afternoon, Stage 3 students will be hosting a variety of fun St Patrick’s Day activities for everyone to enjoy. Students are invited to dress in the colours of the Irish flag (green, white and orange) to join in the celebration and show their festive spirit.
We look forward to a joyful day of faith, fun and community.
Whole School Masses
As we move into the end of the year, we warmly invite families to join us in celebrating our final Mass with our young people.
Upcoming Masses:
- Wk 8: St Patrick’s Mass (Tuesday)
- Wk 9: Mass - Annunciation of the Lord (Thursday)
- Wk 10: Easter Mass (Tuesday) on the same day School Captains and Spiritual Leader will attend the Chrism Mass in Armidale.
We encourage parents, carers and parishioners to join us for these special celebrations!
Parish Mass Times
Please join our Parish to celebrate the Eucharist. Our Parish offers daily masses at 9:00am and two Mass times every weekend.
Saturday - 6.00pm
Sunday - 9.00am
Project Compassion Boxes
During Lent, we try to think of others, especially those less fortunate. Project Compassion is a wonderful program run by Caritas Australia, to raise funds for communities in need. Each student has received a money box for families to make donations throughout Lent. These will be collected at the end of the term. Each classroom also has a donation box to encourage students to help those in need.
We are aware of many local families doing it tough given the current circumstances so prayers for those in need and random acts of kindness that don't cost money can be just as good as a monetary contribution!
Catholic Principles & Values
Catholic principles and values (CPV's) are at the heart of everything we do in Armidale Catholic Schools. Our goal is to provide a truly Catholic education that invites students, parents, and staff into a deeper understanding of the human person and the dignity bestowed upon us because we are created in God’s image and likeness.
By grounding our schools in these principles, we strive to nurture compassionate, responsible, and faith-filled individuals who are prepared to contribute positively to society. If you would like to know more about the CPV's and how we live them everyday at St Mary of the Angels, please do not hesitate to contact our Religious Education Coordinator; Zoe Nugent.
