Sacrament Program for School Aged Children

Sacraments in 2025

  • Reconciliation takes place during Term 1 for children in Year 4.
  • First Eucharist takes place during Term 2 for children in Year 4.
  • Confirmation takes place during Term 3 for children in Year 6 and above.

Further information about each Sacrament can be found below.

If you are interested in your child registering to attend one of the Sacramental Programs, please complete the Expressions of Interest form and we will be in touch once registration is open.

Expressions of Interest form

Sacramental Program

Registration

Families are invited to register in the Parish’s Sacramental Program and Catechist Classes.  Students attending one of the Parish Primary Schools will be contacted through the school.  Information about each Sacrament is provided below.

Preparation

Preparation for each Sacrament will be provided through the Parish Catechist Program which runs for five to six weeks prior to the celebration.  If your child attends one of the Parish Primary Schools their preparation will be completed during school hours with their classroom teacher.

Reconciliation

Children preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation are usually in Year 4.  Read more about Reconciliation…

Reconciliation in 2025 will take place on:

  • Tuesday, 25 March at 6.00 pm at Our Holy Redeemer Church, Surrey Hills
  • Wednesday, 26 March at 6.00 pm at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church, Wattle Park
  • Thursday, 27 March at 6.00 pm at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Deepdene

The Parish Catechist Classes will take place on a Thursday, from 4.15 pm to 5.15 pm for five weeks, commencing Thursday, 20 February 2025.

Two other Reconciliation commitments in 2025 are:

  • Formation Evening for Parents on Tuesday, 25 February at 7.00 pm at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church, Wattle Park
  • Reflection Day for Primary School and Parish Catechist students on Friday, 21 March 2025 at Our Holy Redeemer Primary School, Surrey Hills

Registration will open at the end of January 2025.  If you are interested in being contacted when the online form is available, please complete the Expressions of Interest form.

First Eucharist

Children preparing to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist for the first time are usually in Year 4 and have received the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Read more about Eucharist…

The Sacrament of the Eucharist in 2025 will take place on:

  • Saturday, 21 June during 6.00 pm Mass at Our Holy Redeemer Church, Surrey Hills
  • Sunday, 22 June during 10.30 am Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Deepdene
  • Sunday, 29 June during 9.00 am Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church, Wattle Park
  • Sunday, 29 June during 5.00 pm Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Deepdene

The Parish Catechist Classes will take place on a Tuesday, from 4.15 pm to 5.15 pm for six weeks, commencing Tuesday, 6 May 2025.

Other Eucharist commitments in 2025 are:

  • Formation Evening for Parents on Thursday, 8 May at 7.00 pm at Our Holy Redeemer Church, Surrey Hills
  • Eucharist Commitment Mass on Sunday, 18 May at 5.00 pm at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Deepdene
  • Reflection Day for Primary School and Parish Catechist students on Friday, 13 June at Our Lady of Good Counsel Primary School, Deepdene

Registration will open at the end of March 2025.  If you are interested in being contacted when the online form is available, please complete the Expressions of Interest form.

Confirmation

Children preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation are usually in Year 6 or above.  Read more about Confirmation…

The Sacrament of Confirmation in 2025 will take place on:

  • Wednesday, 8 October at 7.00 pm at St Patrick’s Cathedral, East Melbourne

The Parish Catechist Classes will take place on:

  • Thursday from 4.30 pm to 5.30 pm for six weeks, commencing Thursday, 7 August 2025
  • Friday from 4.30 pm to 5.30 pm for six weeks, commencing Friday, 8 August 2025

Other Confirmation commitments in 2025 are:

  • Formation Evening for Parents on Tuesday, 12 August at 7.00 pm at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Deepdene
  • Confirmation Commitment Mass on Sunday, 17 August at 5.00 pm at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Deepdene
  • Reflection Day for Primary School and Parish Catechist students on Wednesday, 8 October at Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre

Registration will open at the end of June 2025.  If you are interested in being contacted when the online form is available, please complete the Expressions of Interest form.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Children (RCIC)

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Children (RCIC) in most instances applies to children and young people, generally of school age, who have not been baptised. The RCIC program can also provide assistance to those children who wish to prepare to receive the sacraments they have missed since Baptism, or who are seeking to join the Catholic Church.

Participants attend RCIC classes on a regular basis, usually beginning in September and continuing through the Easter season, with holiday breaks. Each child/young person comes into the RCIC program with different needs. Taking into consideration their age and levels of maturity, the goal of the RCIC is to provide participants with an understanding of what it means to know and love God, and to live a Christian life as a Catholic Christian.  Read more…