Sacrament of Reconciliation
Reconciliation, which is also known as Confession or Penance, it is the healing and reconciling action of the Holy Spirit. Through this sacrament, we are renewed and recommitted to being open to the action of the Spirit in our lives in helping us to become more fully human and so be effective in reflecting Christ and His words of life and love to others. In this way we strengthen Christ’s Body on earth, His community, which in turn can continue the healing, saving, loving work of Jesus Christ. (cf Luke 7:39-48)
Sacrament of Confirmation
Confirmation is a continuance of what has begun at our baptism; a continuance of the developing awareness and reality of faith and the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. At our baptism, faith was conceived; we became part of Christ’s body; part of his Church. The Holy Spirit ensures that we are a brother or sister of Christ. Our confirmation is the gentle unfolding of what our baptism means.
When we celebrate confirmation, we celebrate the fact that we are being transformed, and that transformation will continue to take place from the day we are confirmed until we are completely one with God. We are on a journey to wholeness, peace and perfecting love.
Sacrament of First Holy Communion
Eucharist means Thanksgiving. The eating of the bread and wine, which are changed into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ to be the food of eternal life, is the sign of our union with Christ.
In the Eucharist, we are united with Christ through the power of the Spirit and so united with the risen Christ’s worship of his Father. “Nourished by his body and blood and filled with His Holy Spirit, we become one body, one Spirit in Christ” and so are able to offer glory and honour to the Almighty Father.
Holy Family Sacramental Programme:
Holy Family Parish runs a Sacramental Programme every year. This programme covers a study of First Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Holy Communion for children aged between 7 and 16 years old who have been baptised in the Catholic Church.
The lessons are held on Saturday afternoons from 4pm - 5pm in the Joseph Centre. We start advertising for our Sacramental Programme in January and usually First Reconciliation classes start in February /March, Confirmation classes start in April/May and First Holy Communion Classes start in September/October.
We usually hold the First Reconciliation a week before Holy Week, Confirmation during June or July and First Holy Communion on Christ the King.
Please note: to enroll in our sacramental programme throughout the year your child would need to have received preparation for 1st Reconciliation as we only do preparation once a year at the beginning.
For more information about the programme or if you are wishing to attend, please contact the Parish Office, on (09) 834 6677 or email hfparish@xtra.co.nz
