Sacramental Programs at Our Lady of the Angels

General Information

Each year, our Programs for the Sacraments are offered,

First Penance/Reconciliation in Term 1;

First Holy Communion in Term 2; and

Confirmation in Term 3.

Our Programs take place through a Parish based and family centred process.

That means that it is you (as the primary teacher of your child) that does the preparation with your child. Assistance is given through the facilitation of the content for the program during the sessions. It is essential the content is then revised, discussed and all homework (if any) is completed each week.

For your child to receive the Sacraments, your commitment to ensuring attendance in all sessions and applicable rehearsals is compulsory.

Your support of your child progressing on their faith journey is the most beautiful gift you can give to them!

Through making the sacraments, your child will be receiving something God has instituted Himself – His Grace is something more indelible and important than anything we can ever receive from anyone else here on earth or experience in life and, when received with the right heart and mind, following the proper preparation, will be with them for the rest of their lives.

Further, each of us are reminded of our obligation as a Catholic, or parent raising a Catholic child, to attend Mass each Sunday as Jesus Himself told us to ‘Do this in Memory of Me’.

If you have any questions about the program, please contact the Parish Office.

First Penance/Reconciliation and First Holy Communion

If you would like your child to progress on their faith journey, this program is for any child who has been baptised,
reside within our Parish boundaries and is entering into Grade 3 or above.

If you are unsure your child is ready, please see the section below on “How do I know if my child is ready?”.
You are welcome to also contact the Parish Office if you wish to discuss further.

Further information about the 2025 program and/or registration for Penance and First Holy Communion 

will be posted on this website towards the end of Term 4 2024.

Confirmation

Our Confirmation Program is for any child who has been Baptised and made their First Holy Communion, reside within our Parish boundaries and in Grade 6 or above.

The dates for Confirmation in 2024 are set out below:

Attendance at all sessions and the rehearsal applicable to the Mass is compulsory. 

This is essential for your child to receive the proper formation in order to be prepared to receive the Sacrament.

Registration for the Sacrament of Confirmation 2024 has now closed due to commencement of our program.

For further information about the above Sacraments or if your child is wishing to catch up on any missed Sacraments, please contact the Parish Office on 8883 4063.

How do I know if my child is ready?

The recommended age for a child who has been baptised as an infant to receive their Sacraments of
Penance and First Holy Communion is considered when a child reaches the age of 

reason (or capable of acting responsibly) which is around the age of 7 years. 

Children who are in Grade 6 or above are then able to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.

However, some children may not be ready at the recommended age and that is perfectly ok. 

(Please note that our Parish accepts enrolment into the Sacramental Program for 

Penance and Communion when a child is in Grade 3 or above 

and Confirmation in Grade 6 or above only.)

Receiving a Sacrament, whilst most important to a child’s faith journey, is something to be
done at a time when a child is capable of also understanding and able to prepare for what it is that he or she
is receiving. Only a parent can make that determination on behalf of their child.

Some questions you may ask yourself when making this consideration before your child receives the Sacrament of Penance/Communion are:

 What does my child know about God?

 Does my child know how to pray?

 Does my child know the differences between RIGHT and WRONG?

 Can my child accept that they make mistakes?

 Can my child admit that they sometimes do what is wrong?

 Is my child able to say “sorry” when it is appropriate?

It is important that as parents you make a decision yourself and not be swayed by the fact that the child is now 

in a particular class e.g. Year Three or Year Six.  There is no right class that marks the right time for the first reception of the 

Sacrament of Penance, for the reception of the Sacrament of First Holy Communion or the Sacrament of Confirmation.