Catholic Identity and Mission 

Sacramental Programme

Following the Feast of Pentecost, we have begun the season of Ordinary Time.  The dominant liturgical colour in the church is green which adorns our classroom prayer tables and the vestments worn by priests as they say Mass each week. 

Children preparing for Confirmation this week will experience their own personal Pentecost when they receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit as they are anointed with the oil of Chrism which signifies they are one with Christ.  The oil seals the children with the Spirit of God and confirms them as a child of Christ, working to bring love, kindness and peace to the world.

Following their Confirmation, the children receiving the Sacraments will celebrate their First Holy Communion next term.  We will be well and truly into the season of Ordinary Time then, which is fitting for the occasion of First Eucharist.

Ordinary time is a season of getting on with life.  The major celebration of Easter is behind us for another year and we concentrate on bringing joy and hope into the world by the example of our lives.  The joy of the Eucharist is to celebrate who we are and offer thanks for the blessings we have in our life.  We are reminded each time we go to Communion of Christ's message to serve each other with humility and grace.  We pray the children receiving the Sacraments come closer to Jesus through their sacramental journey and become agents of peace and hope in our world.

Prayer for the Week 

PRAYER FOR CONFIRMATION CANDIDATES: 

Lord, You send out Your Spirit to touch the hearts of all people, so that they may believe in You and in Jesus whom You sent.  Look kindly on all candidates for Confirmation as they listen to Your voice.  Open their hearts to Your Spirit and bring to fulfilment the good work that You have begun in them.  As we prepare these children for Confirmation, make each of us an instrument of Your love.  Teach us to appreciate what is holy in others and to be patient with what we do not understand.  Deepen our faith in the Gospel and help us to pass it on by our example.  We pray that You will continue to guide us and sustain us. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Bernie Meixner

APRIM