Parish News
What does the Sacramental Program involve?
Unlike most parishes and schools, our Sacramental Program is based within both the school and the parish. This is not the norm as it is either a school or a parish program. In Campbell, we have taken the best from both approaches to get the best possible formation for our children.
Our program comprises of two areas of input:
- Catechesis and Homework
- Mass Attendance and Ministry
Catechesis
Catechesis is the term that we use for when someone learns about the teachings of the Church. Each child will receive catechesis or teaching about the particular sacrament within the classroom setting at St. Thomas More’s. There is also the option (if the parent requests) of receiving additional formation after Mass. This catechesis is important and is compulsory for children to receive – whether it is at the school or with the Parish Sacramental Coordinator after Mass on Sundays.
Homework
Each child will receive a Sacramental Activity Book for them to complete at home each week. This book is to be used weekly and to have the assigned work completed and marked each week by either the Sacramental Coordinator or classroom teacher.
Alongside the homework are parent/caregiver notes. These notes will be provided for parents/caregivers to read prior to helping the children with their homework. This does not only aim to act as a ‘cheat sheet’ for the parents but is tailored to be a refresher for them as well. If there are any questions about things that arise from discussions with your children and you would like a proper answer please don’t hesitate to either ask me at Mass or email me on my email address below.
Mass Attendance
Each child undertaking sacramental preparation is required to attend Mass for the duration of the Sacramental Program. The span of time that this will take varies for each of the sacraments. This is to encourage the communal aspect of what it is to be Catholic and to provide an opportunity to spend time within the parish context, of which, the Catholic faith is nourished and encouraged.
Ministry
Throughout the duration of the sacramental preparation, each child is required to undertake ministries during their time of formation. These ministries can include: welcoming parishioners and distributing bulletins, helping with the offertory procession, helping commentate the Mass and assisting with the Morning tea. These are important as they provide the children with a sense of service within the faith community. It also encourages a sense of belonging.
Attendance card
As a sign of encouragement and to monitor the attendance of children to Sunday Mass, each child will receive a card that has to be signed at the end of every Mass by the Sacramental Coordinator or by Fr. Josh. This card will not only monitor Mass attendance but it will also monitor the ministry and progress that the child makes over the time of preparation.
If for whatever reason a child is unable to attend the Mass at St. Thomas More’s Parish, students of St. Thomas More’s Primary are able to attend Masses at St. Brigid’s Church in Dickson at 6pm or St. Patrick’s Church in Braddon for Mass at 8am on Sunday. They are also able to attend Mass at any other Catholic Church as long as they obtain a bulletin from that parish. The Children will still be required to have their cards signed at these Masses. It is expected however that a majority of the Masses be undertaken at St. Thomas More’s Church in Campbell.
Formation over Information
Although this may seem a lot of work for a child to receive the sacraments, it is an ample formation program that aims to form the child rather than simply inform them. To form a child enables a child to live and grow into the person that they are called to be in God. It gives them purpose, tools for life and ways to live out their life as people of faith. This isn’t possible with mere information as information only engages the mind. Formation affects the whole person, and thus, is the better way to prepare our children for the sacraments.
If you need any more information regarding the sacraments please don’t hesitate to contact me via email at:
Tel: (02) 6248 5472
Email: joshua.scott@cg.org.au
Many blessings,
Fr. Josh