Dear Parishioners,

As you know the Sacrament of Confirmation, completes or confirms the Sacrament of Baptism. For Catholics it is a time when we re-examine our commitment to the Faith handed down to us from generation to generation. Confirmation asks that we explore our personal lives in order to understand the love of God and ourselves more fully. It is primarily your responsibility to bring up your children in the practice of the faith. The parish/school community act in co-operation with parents to this end.

Ezekiel 36:25-28 "A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you, and make you follow my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances. Then you shall live in the land and you shall be my people, and I will be your God."

The Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit This process of discernment gives us the benefit of learned wisdom and spiritual insights so that we can negotiate the present and make the best decisions for our future. The fruits of the Holy Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. he gifts of the Holy Spirit are; wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and respect of the Lord.

One of the difficulties facing the Sacramental Programme is the lack of Adult Faith Development. In response to this situation – in helping parents to guide their children along the path of faith – the parish has implemented an Adult Faith Education Programme as part of the sacramental preparation of your child. This enables parents to actively participate in the spiritual development of their children while enhancing ones own spiritual development and that of the whole family.

The Theology of the Holy Spirit I have produced two adult education audio video session on the theology of the Holy Spirit. This will greatly enhacve you knowledge fo the Holy Spirit using scripture and theology to explain the sacrament of Confirmation from an adult perspective.

The Spiritual Wellbeing of your Child This Sacramental Programme is central to the spiritual development of your child. As parents/guardians I know that you will agree with me that your child needs to know God as a loving friend and companion. Our Parish Sacramental Programme encourages active sacramental participation by you and your child. This can only benefit your child, your family and, by your support, the whole community of God’s people who make up this parish. Therefore you are required to:

1. To promise to attend Weekend Mass
2. Your child must attend the children's education session/s
3. To promise to help your child in their sacramental preparation

Readiness

Failure to participate fully in this programme, without valid reason, may lead to the postponement of the reception of your child’s Sacrament. So if you feel you or your child are not ready to commit yourself to the Parish Sacramental Programme you can always choose to defer for a year or more until you feel ready to make the commitment necessary to make this programme as personally and spiritually meaningful as possible.

Yours Sincerely,

Father John Madden, Parish Priest

Costs for registration, administration, certification and Adult Education sessions will be $150.00 per student. To register for our parish programme kindly complete our Registration Form, provide a copy of the Baptism Certificate, Reconciliation Certificate, First Eucharist Certificate and payment are due on Sunday 7 May 2023. NB there will be no registration accepted after this date unless a prior arrangement has been made. Your child can only celebrate one Sacrament a year as this allows your child to truly focus on the Sacrament your child is celebrating.

PAYMENT & BANK DETAILS:

Name of Account: Sacred Heart Church, Kew

BSB: 083 347

ACCOUNT #: 682 606 383

REFERENCE: CON_CHILD'S NAME

PAYMENT AMOUNT: $150.00

Or you can scan this QR Code with your phone camera and follow the prompts to organise payment.

Even though your child may be enrolled in the programme, it is important to contribute to their education and preparation both at home and in Mass. Preparing a child for their First Holy Communion involves discussion, study and spiritual preparation. Fr John Madden has produced a video on Confirmation. Click on the link to access the video.

These workshops will be child-focused. Our Parish Sacramental Programme is open to all children who belong to our Parish independent of where they attend school. It is essential that some adults are also present for obvious reasons. It is compulsory to attend both sessions to ensure that your child is adequately prepared for the reception of the Sacrament. Please note no further instructions will be offered outside of these workshops.

Our Parish-Based Sacramental Programme involves one workshop. There will be every opportunity to spiritually prepare your child by giving them a clear understanding of the meaning and purpose of this Sacrament. This will include how to receive the Sacrament offering practical advice as well as answering any concerns they may have. Consequently, it is essential to participate in our Parish-Based Programme to prepare your child for their Sacrament.

The workshop is for your child's spiritual benefit. We will explore the Sacrament of Confirmation:

• to prepare your child to receive the Sacrament.
• for families to reconnect with their local parish.
• to get acquainted with your local parish priest on a personal basis.
• to develop a spiritual way of life.

The session is held in the church on:

Date: Saturday 27 May 2023

Time: 3:30-5 PM

Venue: Sacred Heart Church, 116 Cotham Road Kew

What to bring: pen, colours pencils, drink bottle

It is essential that some adults are present for obvious reasons.

Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated on:

Date: Friday 2 June 2023

Time: 6 pm

Venue: Sacred Heart Church, 116 Cotham Road Kew

Celebrated By:

Very Reverend Anthony Kerin

Parish Priest of Box Hil & Box Hill North

Episcopal Vicar for the Eastern Region of the Archdiocese

Episcopal Vicar for Marriage, Life & Family