Sacrament Program for School Aged Children
Sacraments in 2026
- Reconciliation takes place during Term 1 for children in Year 4.
- First Eucharist takes place during Term 2 for children in Year 4.
- Confirmation takes place during Term 3 for children in Year 6 and above.
Further information about each Sacrament can be found below.
If you are interested in your child registering to attend one of the Sacramental Programs, please complete the Expressions of Interest form and we will be in touch once registration is open.
Sacramental Program
Registration
Families are invited to register in the Parish’s Sacramental Program and Catechist Classes. Students attending one of the Parish Primary Schools will be contacted through the school. Information about each Sacrament is provided below.
Preparation
Preparation for each Sacrament will be provided through the Parish Catechist Program which runs for five to six weeks prior to the celebration. If your child attends one of the Parish Primary Schools their preparation will be completed during school hours with their classroom teacher.
Reconciliation
Children preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation are usually in Year 4. Read more about Reconciliation…
First Reconciliation in 2026 will take place on:
- Tuesday, 17 March at 6.00 pm at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church, Wattle Park
- Thursday, 19 March at 6.00 pm at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Deepdene
The Parish Catechist Classes for Reconciliation will take place on a Thursday from 4.15 pm to 5.15 pm for five weeks commencing Thursday, 12 February 2026.
Two other Reconciliation Program commitments in 2026 are:
- Reconciliation Commitment Mass on Sunday, 8 February at 10.30 am at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Deepdene.
- Reflection Day for Primary School and Parish Catechist students on Friday, 13 March 2026 at Our Holy Redeemer Primary School, Surrey Hills
Registration will open at the end of January 2026. If you are interested in being contacted when the online form is available, please complete the Expressions of Interest form.
First Eucharist
Children preparing to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist for the first time are usually in Year 4 and have received the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Read more about Eucharist…
The celebration of First Eucharist in 2026 will take place on the weekends of 13 & 14 June and 20 & 21 June 2026.
Mass times and locations to be confirmed.
The Parish Catechist Classes for First Eucharist will take place on a Thursday from 4.15 pm to 5.15 pm for six weeks, commencing Thursday, 7 May 2026.
Other Eucharist commitments in 2026 are:
- First Eucharist Workshop and Commitment Mass on Sunday, 3 May 2026 at 3.30 pm at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Deepdene, followed by Mass at 5.00 pm.
- Reflection Day for Primary School and Parish Catechist students on Friday, 12 June at Our Lady of Good Counsel Primary School, Deepdene
Registration will open at the end of March 2026. If you are interested in being contacted when the online form is available, please complete the Expressions of Interest form.
Confirmation
Children preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation are usually in Year 6 or above. Read more about Confirmation…
The Sacrament of Confirmation in 2026 will take place at Our Lady of Victories Basilica, Camberwell on:
- Tuesday, 1 September at 6.00 pm
- Wednesday, 2 September at 6.00 pm
The Parish Catechist Classes will take place on:
- Thursday from 4.30 pm to 5.30 pm for six weeks, commencing Thursday, 23 July 2026
- Friday from 4.30 pm to 5.30 pm for six weeks, commencing Friday, 24 July 2026
Other Confirmation commitments in 2025 are:
- Confirmation Workshop & Commitment Mass on Sunday, 19 July at 3.30 pm at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Deepdene, followed by Mass at 5.00 pm.
- Reflection Day for Primary School and Parish Catechist students on Wednesday, 26 August at Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre
Registration will open at the end of June 2026. If you are interested in being contacted when the online form is available, please complete the Expressions of Interest form.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Children (RCIC)
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Children (RCIC) in most instances applies to children and young people, generally of school age, who have not been baptised. The RCIC program can also provide assistance to those children who wish to prepare to receive the sacraments they have missed since Baptism, or who are seeking to join the Catholic Church.
Participants attend RCIC classes on a regular basis, usually beginning in September and continuing through the Easter season, with holiday breaks. Each child/young person comes into the RCIC program with different needs. Taking into consideration their age and levels of maturity, the goal of the RCIC is to provide participants with an understanding of what it means to know and love God, and to live a Christian life as a Catholic Christian. Read more…