After Baptism, your child will continue through the Sacraments on their way to understanding and living the Catholic faith. After Baptism, your child will be Confirmed (usually around 8yrs of age). After Confirmation, your child will receive First Holy Communion (usually around 9yrs of age). And finally, your child will have receive Reconciliation / Penance (usually around 10yrs of age). This process has been agreed upon by the Archdiocese of Brisbane (see their policy below). Contact the parish [email protected]
Sacrament of Penance / Reconciliation concluded. Sacrament of First Holy Communion concluded.
Sacrament of Confirmation to begin in July: Wednesday 10th July at 6:00 pm Parent-Info Session (attendance of parent/s or guardian is required; children are not required to attend this session) in the church.
In the Archdiocese of Brisbane, this program is offered to children who have been baptised and are in Year 3 (or older). Please request parents communicate with our email [email protected] / our phone (07) 3397 1671.
The main resource for this Sacramental Program is “Growing Up Catholic: Confirmation (in restored order)” from the Pastoral Center. This resource uses a home-centred model where one or both parents or guardians will help their children with their formation process.
Anytime BEFORE the program commences, please furnish a hard copy of your child’s baptismal certificate to the Parish Office. A digital or scanned copy is also accepted. If your child was baptised at St James and you don’t have a copy of his/her baptismal certificate, simply contact Trish at the Parish office to request for a copy. If your child was baptised elsewhere, please contact the office of the church or parish of his/her baptism and request a baptismal certificate as soon as possible. If your child is not yet baptised, we recommend that you defer his/her confirmation after Baptism has been arranged.
As part of the program, we include our parish community by asking them to pray for you and your children for the duration of the preparation for Confirmation. To help our team with this task, we would like to request for an A5 photo or printed picture of your child (at the back of the picture, please write your child’s first and last name. Please note that the office will laminate the pictures, so a photo printed on an ordinary paper is fine. Photo paper is also welcomed, but not necessary).
A note on the ‘Confirmation sponsor’ for your child: The primary responsibility of the sponsor is to provide the confirmed person (that is, your child) prayerful support and guidance in his or her Christian walk and to “take care that the confirmed person behaves as a true witness of Christ and faithfully fulfills the obligations inherent in this sacrament” (canon 892).
Only one sponsor for a Confirmation candidate is to be used. In accordance with the Code of Canon Law, this person must have completed the 16th year of age; must be a baptised Catholic; he/she has received the sacrament of Confirmation; he/she has already received the Most Holy Eucharist, and leads a life of faith in harmony with the Catholic Church. This person is not the father or the mother of the one to be confirmed (canon 874). If any of their Baptismal godparents fulfill the abovementioned requirements, it is desirable that he or she be the sponsor for confirmation (canon 892 §2).
Program details - Wednesday 10th July at 6:00 pm Parent-Info Session (attendance of parent/s or guardian is required; children are not required to attend this session) in the church Sunday 14th July at 9:00 am Rite of Enrolment during Mass in the church Monday 15th July at 6:00 pm Parent-Child Home Session 1 in your Home Sunday 21st July at 9:00 am Honour the Lord’s Day and attend a mass in the church Monday 22nd July at 6:00 pm Parent-Child Home Session 2 in your Home Sunday 28th July at 9:00 am Presentation of the Creed to children during mass in the church + St James Feast Parish Celebration in the church Monday 29th July at 6:00 pm Parent-Child Home Session 3 in your Home Sunday 4th August at 9:00 am Honour the Lord’s Day and attend a mass in our church Monday 5th August at 6:00 pm Parent-Child Home Session 4 in your Home Wednesday 7th August at 6:00 pm Rehearsal with children – it would be helpful if their sponsor is able to join us in the church Sunday 11th August at 9:00 am CONFIRMATION MASS with BISHOP TIM NORTON, SVD - Morning Tea follows after the mass (we invite parents to bring a plate to share)