Baptism is the first sacrament that a Christian receives. It marks the beginning of the process of initiation and is not the only sacrament of initiation. Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist together form the gateway through which people enter into full participation in Catholic life.  The process of Initiation continues with Confirmation and is completed with the reception of Eucharist for the first time. For those received into the Church as adults these three sacraments are conferred at the one ceremony.   The usual practise for most Catholics however is to be baptised as infants or young children. The ensuing Sacraments of Initiation are administered when the child reaches the age of reason.

 

St Benedict’s Parish follows the Archdiocesan policy and offers programmes to complete the Sacraments of Initiation on an annual basis. The programmes are home based and parish supported, and written for children aged approximately 8 years old.

 

It is Archdiocesan policy to confer the Sacrament of Confirmation before the receiving First Eucharist. This was the practise of the Church in the earliest part of its history. It also highlights the significance that it is in receiving Holy Communion that we become full members of the Church. We are baptised to begin our journey to the Eucharistic table. The Sacrament of Confirmation strengthens and helps us as we journey to receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour at Eucharist.

 

Being home based means that the programme is undertaken by parents with their children. The Church believes that parents are the first and best teachers of the faith for their children. Written material is supplied to parents to provide background material and activities to be undertaken in the home.

 

The Parish supports the programme through the Junior Sacramental Programme Coordinator. This Coordinator arranges the formal group sessions of the programme and liaises with the Parish Priest about the actual celebrations and their timing in the life of the Parish. The Coordinator is also available for any assistance parents may in the course of the programme.

 

The Church requires that before First Holy Communion Catholic receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. To allow this to occur as part of the process the following timetable has been adopted by St Benedict’s Parish

 

Preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation takes place during the Season of Lent in the first term of the School Year. The celebration of First Reconciliation usually takes place in the Parish Rite II celebration as preparation for Easter.

 

Confirmation is conferred in St Benedict’s around the season when the Church celebrates Pentecost. This is usually during the second term of the academic year.

 

First Holy Communion preparation takes place during the third academic terms and the ceremony normally takes place during early spring.