After just over a year of waiting, four groups of young students across our parishes celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time. Two celebrations, each involving around thirty children, were held at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church last Tuesday and two at Surrey Hills Wattle Park Parish on Wednesday.
Children reflected on the parables of the prodigal son, the lost sheep and the lost coin from chapter 15 of Luke’s Gospel. These are wonderful parables that remind us that God never tires of searching for us and showering us with mercy and forgiveness. Nothing can ever come between us and the love and mercy of God. They also reflected on the importance of admitting when we have done wrong. Covering up our wrongdoing or blaming someone else for the things that we have done does not lead to a healthy life or Christian community. These insights into the Christian life are valuable for our whole community. It is good for us to remember that the Sacrament of Reconciliation is not just for children.
We are grateful to the parents, catechists and teachers who prepared the children for this long awaited day.
Celebration at Camberwell, Balwyn & Deepdene
Celebration at Surrey Hills Wattle Park
Our Parish Sacramental Program is now up and running. Enrolments for the Sacramental Program for First Eucharist are open until Friday, 12 April. Those families with students in one of our parish schools will be enrolled directly by their school. All other parish families can enrol online by completing the First Eucharist Registration Form.
A Lenten Penitential Service will take place on Thursday, 18 March at 7.30 pm at Our Holy Redeemer Church in Surrey Hills for pre-organised groups. Booking essential through TryBooking.
Image: Return of the Prodigal Son by Bartolome Esteban Murillo
19 Brenbeal Street, Balwyn VIC 3103
Telephone: 03 9816 9291
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours:
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