Reconciliation & Holy Communion

Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion 

In the year that children turn nine (usually year four) our Parish welcomes parents to enrol their children into our Reconciliation and Holy Communion program.  Within this program they will prepare to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation with individual confession and absolution (first rite). This will involve learning in detail what it means to examine their conscience.  They will then be welcomed to the Lord’s Table and receive Holy Communion for the first time.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be celebrated before receiving First Holy Communion as this is the healing Sacrament that ‘cleanses us’ and makes us ready to receive Jesus in the form of the Holy Communion.  The Sacrament of Reconciliation is made up of three parts: Confession, Penance and Reconciliation.  The entire Sacrament is a celebration of God’s love and mercy. It celebrates the call to repentance after a process of conversion of heart.

“This includes confessing our sins and receiving the forgiveness of God through the ministry of the priest. Through this process, a person is reconciled with the Church (and community) and continues to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ." Archdiocese of Brisbane.

Once we are put right with God and community through this healing Sacrament, we are then ready to receive Jesus in the form of Holy Communion. 

Holy Communion, or Eucharist, is the last Sacrament of Initiation.  The first time we receive Holy Communion this completes our initiation into the Church. This Sacrament takes place in the Mass and is sometimes called the “source and summit” of the life of a Catholic. Unlike many other sacraments, Holy Communion is not celebrated just once. Each week, Catholics go to Mass to participate in the celebration of the Eucharist, the ritual in which, by the power of the Holy Spirit, bread and wine are transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ. We who celebrate and receive Communion are also transformed, becoming Christ’s presence to others, and recognising the presence of Christ in others.

For Catholics, the Eucharist, or Mass, is the most powerful way to encounter the real presence of Jesus Christ.

Enrolment for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion 2024: 
1. Enrolment for Reconciliation and Holy Communion (Complete online):  Reconciliation and First Holy Communion enrolment 
​2. Sacramental Parental Permission form - please complete, print and bring to the Rite of Enrolment Mass of your choice.

​Reconciliation and First Holy Communion Preparation
​Attendance at a Parent/Carer Information evening (mandatory)
Either Thursday 11th July 10.00 a.m. - 11.00 a.m.
OR Thursday 11th July 7.00 p.m. - 8.00 p.m.

​Attendance at a Rite of Enrolment Mass (mandatory)
Either Saturday 13th July 6.00 p.m. 
or Sunday 14th July 7.00 a.m., or Sunday 14th July 9.00 a.m., or Sunday 14th July 5.00 p.m.

Attendance at TWO Workshops.  Parent/s and child to attend (mandatory) 

• First Holy Communion Workshop:
  Either Saturday 17th August 10.30 a.m. - 12.00 noon
  OR 4.00 p.m. - 5.30 p.m.
• ​Reconciliation Workshop:  Saturday 24th August 4.00 p.m. - 5.15 p.m.

Attendance at ONE practice session (mandatory)
Child and at least one parent to attend.
Friday 6th September 4.30 p.m. 

​Celebration of Sacrament of Reconciliation
Immediately after the practice for the sacraments, the children will celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Friday 6th September 2024 at 5.30 p.m.

Celebration of Sacrament of First Holy Communion (Masses on the weekend of 7 - 8 September)

Saturday 7th September at 6.00 p.m.

Sunday 8th September at 9.00 a.m.