Sacramental Program
Reconciliation (Year 3, Term 2), First Eucharist (Year 4, Sunday 6 September 2026, 10:30am) and Confirmation (Year 6, Friday 16 October 2026, 7:00pm) at St Mary's: preparation sessions, parent workshops, what to wear and bring, costs and how to enrol.
The sacraments of Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation are celebrated through St Mary of the Cross Parish, not the school alone — because a child is baptised into a parish community, not a classroom. In practice the program is a partnership: classroom preparation happens in Religious Education at St Mary's, and family sessions, commitment Masses and the celebrations themselves happen with the parish under Fr Michael Dwyer and the Parish Sacramental Coordinator, Mrs Judith Farrell. Children attending St Mary's who belong to another parish, and children from other schools who belong to our parish, are all welcome.
Who can enrol
- The child must be baptised Catholic (bring the baptism certificate) and be in the relevant year level or older. Children who have missed a sacrament — for example a Year 6 student who has not made First Eucharist — are prepared in a small "catch-up" group at the same time as the Year 4 cohort; please talk to Mrs Farrell.
- Enrolment is by the family, not automatic. Complete the Parish Sacramental Enrolment Form (paper copies from the Junior Office or Parish Office; online via the parish website) by the closing date for each sacrament.
- A parish sacramental fee of $40 per child per sacrament covers preparation materials, the candle or stole, certificate and the celebration. Pay at the Parish Office; families with a Health Care Card pay nothing — just tick the box.
- Children who are not baptised but would like to be, at any age, are welcomed through a separate short program — contact the Parish Office on (03) 9555 0180.
Reconciliation — Year 3, Term 2
| Step | When | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Enrolment closes | Friday 17 April 2026 (last day of Term 1 holidays) | Parish Office / Junior Office |
| Parent Information Evening | Wednesday 22 April 2026, 7:00–8:00pm | St Mary of the Cross Church |
| Commitment Mass | Sunday 26 April 2026, 10:30am | Church |
| Classroom preparation | Term 2 Weeks 2–7 in RE, with a family activity book to complete at home | Tenison Building |
| Family workshop | Wednesday 20 May 2026, 6:30–7:30pm (children and a parent) | Mary MacKillop Hall |
| Celebration of Reconciliation | Wednesday 10 June 2026, 7:00pm (3A and 3B) and Thursday 11 June 2026, 7:00pm (3C and 3D) | Church |
Reconciliation is celebrated in the Second Rite: a short liturgy of the Word together, then each child speaks individually with one of the four priests present, followed by a shared prayer of thanksgiving. It takes about an hour. Children wear neat casual clothes; there is nothing to bring. Year 3 2027 dates will be published in February 2027 and follow the same Term 2 pattern.
First Eucharist — Year 4, Sunday 6 September 2026, 10:30am
| Step | When | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Enrolment closed | Friday 24 July 2026 (late enrolments — contact Mrs Farrell) | — |
| Parent Workshop | Wednesday 29 July 2026, 7:00–8:15pm | Church |
| Commitment Mass | Sunday 2 August 2026, 10:30am — candidates presented to the parish | Church |
| Classroom preparation | Tuesdays 4, 11, 18 and 25 August and 1 September 2026, in RE; family activity each week | Tenison Building |
| Reflection Day | Thursday 3 September 2026, 9:00am–2:30pm — bread-making, the story of the Last Supper, banner painting; rehearsal in the Church at 1:30pm. Bring a plain white T-shirt for banner printing and normal lunch. | Mary MacKillop Hall and Church |
| First Eucharist Mass | Sunday 6 September 2026, 10:30am (also Father's Day). Candidates and families arrive by 10:00am; children sit with their families and are called forward by class. Morning tea on the church lawn afterwards, provided by the Year 3 families. | St Mary of the Cross Church |
What to wear: "Sunday best" rather than school uniform — a dress or smart top and skirt/trousers for girls, a collared shirt and long trousers for boys. No veils or formal white outfits are needed, though families may choose them. Photos: the parish photographer takes a group photo before Mass at 10:10am and individual photos afterwards (order form provided, $15 per print, no obligation). Please do not use phones during Mass. Certificates are presented at the Junior assembly on Friday 11 September 2026 at 2:30pm.
Confirmation — Year 6, Friday 16 October 2026, 7:00pm
Confirmation will be celebrated by the Bishop, with Fr Michael Dwyer concelebrating.
| Step | When | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Enrolment closes | Friday 18 September 2026 (last day of Term 3) | Parish Office / Junior Office |
| Parent & Candidate Workshop | Wednesday 7 October 2026, 7:00–8:15pm — the gifts of the Spirit, choosing a sponsor and a Confirmation name; candidates attend with a parent | Church |
| Commitment Mass | Sunday 11 October 2026, 10:30am — candidates and sponsors introduced | Church |
| Classroom preparation | Tuesday 6 – Wednesday 14 October 2026 in RE, including a letter to the Bishop and a saint research project | Tenison Building |
| Retreat / Reflection Day | Wednesday 14 October 2026, 9:00am–3:00pm — led by Sr Bernadette Long rsj and the Year 6 team; includes Reconciliation for candidates who wish | MacKillop Chapel and Mary MacKillop Hall |
| Rehearsal | Thursday 15 October 2026, 4:00–5:00pm — candidates and sponsors (or a stand-in parent) | Church |
| Confirmation Mass | Friday 16 October 2026, 7:00pm. Arrive by 6:30pm; candidates sit with sponsors in reserved front pews, families behind. Supper in the Hall afterwards (P&F). | St Mary of the Cross Church |
Sponsors must be a confirmed, practising Catholic aged 16 or over and may not be the candidate's parent; a godparent is the traditional choice. If a sponsor cannot attend on the night, a parent may stand in on their behalf. Confirmation names: candidates choose a saint's name (or keep their baptismal name if it is a saint's). What to wear: Sunday best as for First Eucharist; the parish provides a red stole which candidates keep. Photos as for First Eucharist, with the Bishop available for family photos after Mass until 8:30pm.
Please note the Bishop's visit fixes the date — families are asked not to book travel for the Friday of Week 2, Term 4.
Frequently asked questions
My child was baptised in another Christian church. Children baptised in most Christian denominations (Anglican, Uniting, Orthodox, Lutheran and others) are validly baptised and can make a Profession of Faith to be received into the Catholic Church before the sacraments. Speak to Fr Dwyer.
We go to Mass at another parish. Your child can still prepare with their class at school, and you may choose to celebrate the sacrament at your own parish or with us. Let both parishes know.
Can my child receive a sacrament later than the year level? Yes, at any age. The catch-up group runs alongside each year-level program.
Does it cost anything beyond $40? No. Photos and any celebratory clothing are optional.
Contact
Parish Sacramental Coordinator — Mrs Judith Farrell, St Mary of the Cross Parish · (03) 9555 0180 · Parish Office open Tuesday–Friday 9:00am–3:00pm Parish Priest — Fr Michael Dwyer · (03) 9555 0180 College — Mrs Siobhan Reilly, Deputy Principal – Wellbeing & Mission · mission@stmaryswc.vic.edu.au · Junior Office (03) 9555 0130