Sacrament of First Reconciliation 2023

Our Year 3 students are already busy preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation beginning with their Commitment Mass on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 May. It was wonderful to see the students and parents make their commitment to this sacrament which they will celebrate in the coming weeks. 

Our Year 3 students and teachers had their Reflection Day on Thursday 25 May. Some highlights from the children included: “I really enjoyed the mosaic Crucifixion activity and role playing to practice the sacrament” - Mason Wiley

“My favourite part of the Reflection Day was watching the story of Zaccheaus and eating the delicious pizza” - Max Ponce

“The highlight from Reflection Day was role playing and eating delicious pizza.” - Ella Baker

“The leaf art activity we did for the Zaccheus story about forgiving was fun. I also loved having pizza for lunch.” - Ava Friend

“The crucifixion actively was really lovely. I also loved eating pizza!” - Cayla Robb

“The highlight of Reflection Day was role playing. I was St. John and changed people. I loved eating the pizza.” - Oscar Pope

“The rotation activities were lots of fun and so was eating pizza for lunch.” - Harrison O’Reilly 

“I liked having a speaking part for the Liturgy. I like making the crucifix too.” - Tom Davoren

“I loved all the rotations and praying in the church. I also learnt how to genuflect. It is like a lunge.” - Eve Keeble

“The liturgies in the hall and the church were my favourite and eating pizza for lunch.” - Rosie O’Shannessy

The Sacrament of Reconciliation  (previously referred to as Confession or Penance) has undergone some changes since the Second Vatican Council. The major renewal in thinking revolves around reaffirming the truth that God loves us without fail and forgives us before we even recognise our need to be forgiven. Therefore when we make poor choices we are also damaging our relationship with God, with others and ourselves. Reconciliation is about building bridges and making an attempt to make things right. No matter our age, we make mistakes and the Sacrament of Reconciliation reminds us to focus on the social aspect of our wrong-doing in the hope of making better decisions in the future.

Sacrament of Confirmation 2023

The celebrations of the Sacrament of Confirmation begin next week. With over 40 children in our school to be confirmed. We are very grateful for the support and cooperation shown by the parish, families and school staff to make this occasion meaningful and special for our young people. I appreciate that parents and carers are mostly understanding of the challenges with such a large group and are working with us to ensure a sense of prayer and community.

The students, assisted by their teachers, have been preparing throughout the term for this special occasion. We were very honoured to have Bishop Tony Ireland visit St. Paul’s last Friday 26 May 2023. Bishop Tony met with the Year 6’s and spoke to them about the Sacrament of Confirmation with a focus on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Some of the highlights from the Confirmation Reflection day of the students included: 

“I really liked the dove activity and being able to come to school in casual clothes and eat pizza; it made the day extra special.” - Zac Morris

“It was nice to be able to practice in the church and be told what is going to happen on the night of our Confirmation. The Hawaian pizza was also delicious.” - Mia Benvenuto

“The art activity which is going to be the sign for our pew was a great activity. I also loved the cheese pizza.” - Layth Soufan

“Creating the origami dove and hearts was a really beautiful reflection day activity. The pepperoni pizza was another highlight of the day.” - Hayley Draper

“The highlight of my day was practicing so we know what to do on the night. The margherita pizza was also another highlight from the day.” - Matthew Strupl

“I thought the origami activity with Ms Lachal was fun. We also learnt some more about the fruits of the Holy Spirit. The Hawaiian pizza was delicious.” - Cristian Bianchi 

“Creating the pew sign for our Confirmation was fun. It was nice to be in casual clothes and eat pizza.” - Ebony Grima

“My favourite activity was with Ms Lachal creating the dove and hearts origami. The pepperoni pizza was also delicious.” - Nicholas Sabbadin

“The dove activity with Miss Berends was a highlight. It was really good of the school to buy us pepperoni pizza for lunch.” - Jeremy Bobik 

Our school community is looking forward to a joyful celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation on Wednesday 7th June 2023 at 6pm.