Dear Year 4 Parents and Guardians

We look forward to celebrating the Sacrament of Eucharist with your child.       
   
As per the Sacramental Policy of the Archdiocese of Brisbane, Year 4 children receive the Sacrament of Eucharist – First Holy Communion. 
Children in Year 4 will receive the Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation) in 2024 when they are in Year 5.

To participate in the Sacrament of Eucharist, your child must be Baptised and Confirmed. 
                     
The Sacrament of Eucharist will be celebrated here at the Parish on the following dates:
Thursday 1 June 2023 at 5pm           
Friday 2 June at 2023 at 5pm
          ________________________________________________________________________
Parental Responsibility and the Sacraments in the Catholic Church

In receiving their First Holy Communion, the children will complete their Christian initiation.  The process began with their Baptism which first joined them to Christ and made them members of the Church.  It was then sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit when they received their Sacrament of Confirmation.
The Sacrament of Eucharist will be the first time they share intimately in the life of Christ and the unity of the Church by receiving the body and blood of Christ.

In the time of preparation for the Sacrament of Eucharist, it is very important for the children and their families to participate regularly in Mass so the children become familiar with its parts and its pattern.  The Eucharist is at the heart of our Catholic identity and faith.
 
For your child to be eligible to receive the Sacrament of Eucharist, it is very important that all sessions of the preparation are attended.  When you and your child make a decision to receive the Sacrament of Eucharist, you are making a commitment to share in the complete journey of receiving this Sacrament.

The Parent and Child Information Session will provide an overview of the preparation involved with the Sacrament of Eucharist and will be an opportunity for parents to raise any questions. Please also find a list of key dates for this sacrament below.  If you are happy for you and your child to make this commitment, complete the online enrolment form (click here) and submit with the completed Parental Authority Form (below) and receipt of donation to mtcarmel@bne.catholic.net.au or the parish office by Tuesday 2 May.

The Parish community looks forward to supporting you in this journey.
For any further enquiries, please contact the Parish Office (details below).
 
Sincerely,
Rev Martinho Da Costa, O.Carm                                                                                                                                      Parish Priest
 
Parish Office Hours: Monday to Thursday 8:30am-2:30pm.
T:  3397 1587   E:  mtcarmel@bne.catholic.net.au

The season of Lent begins this week as we mark ourselves with a cross of ashes.
On this 40-day journey, we join those who are joining the Catholic Church around the world and embark together on this time of going more deeply into our way of following Jesus in our relationship with God, our family, friends and neighbours.

It is a time of letting go of what cannot love us back to make space for what can!
 
Traditionally, the church community practices three ways of letting go and taking up: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
 
Some ideas for this week:
Prayer
1) Consider with curiosity what is keeping you from listening to God’s quiet voice and keeping you at a distance from yourself?
2) Is there anything in your life that you are very attached to, that can’t love you back and is taking you away from those who do? What do you want to make more space for in your life?
 
Fasting
1)  Consider Pope Francis’ words: Do you want to fast this Lent? (See below)
2) Consider what you can practice letting go of to open space for sharing generously?
 
Almsgiving & Service
1)  How will your fasting lead you to be a person sharing God’s abundant generosity with others?
2) What commitment can you make this Lent to practice generosity. Perhaps:

• a commitment of time to a weekly visit or checkin with someone who lives alone, in a care home or needs friendly support in the struggles of life.
• a commitment to intentional family time, a meal, game time or volunteering together.
• a commitment of finance to supporting the poor through Project Compassion, St Vincent de Paul or the Carmelite mission in Timor Leste.
• a commitment of service joining one of our church ministry groups, assisting as a volunteer at our parish school, volunteering in our local community.