Sacraments are signs of God’s invisible grace that help us to grow to be more like Jesus. In the Catholic Church there are Seven Sacraments initiated by Jesus and these are divided into 3 groups.

• Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation. Once you have received all three of these Sacraments you are fully initiated into the Church.
• Sacraments of Healing: Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick
• Sacraments of Service: Marriage, Holy orders

At Saint Michael’s eligible students prepare for and receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation.

First Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Reconciliation officially known as the Sacrament of Penance and also known as Confession, is a Sacrament of Healing. Those receiving this sacrament reflect on words and actions that have caused a breakdown in their relationships with others (sin), these words and actions are confessed to the priest. The person then receives God’s healing forgiveness. The acts of asking for and receiving forgiveness are an important part of healing broken relationships.

At St Michael’s eligible students receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time in Year 2. Once students have made their first Reconciliation they will continue to receive this sacrament regularly.

First Eucharist

The Sacrament of Eucharist also known as Communion, is a Sacrament of Initiation. The word Eucharist comes from the Greek word “eucharistia” meaning “thanksgiving” and refers to the whole celebration of the Mass. During the Mass we believe that the bread and wine are consecrated and changed into the Body and Blood of Jesus which is the Most Holy Eucharist also called the host. Communion comes from the Latin word “communio” meaning sharing unity or participation and refers to the action of receiving the blessed Eucharist in Holy Communion.

At St Michael’s the First Eucharist unit is taught every second year in Stage 2 (Year 3 and 4 students), in the odd year cycle (2023…). Eligible students in Stage 2 receive the Sacrament of Eucharist at the end of the teaching unit at a Sunday Parish Mass. Once students have made their First Eucharist they will continue to receive this sacrament each time they go to Mass. These students will then become altar servers.

Confirmation

The Sacrament of Confirmation is one of the three Sacraments of initiation in the Catholic Church and completes the confirmandi’s initiation into the Church. The Bishop of Armidale administers the sacrament, in which those being confirmed are anointed with Chrism and receive the seven-fold gifts of the Holy Spirit.

• Wisdom helps us recognise the importance of others and the importance of keeping God central in our lives.
• Understanding is the ability to comprehend the meaning of God’s message.
• Knowledge is the ability to think about and explore God’s revelation, and also to recognise there are mysteries of faith beyond us.
• Counsel is the ability to see the best way to follow God’s plan when we have choices that relate to him.
• Fortitude is the courage to do what one knows is right.
• Piety helps us pray to God in true devotion.
• Fear of the Lord is the sense of amazement before God, who is so good and all-present, whom we do not want to offend by sin and whose friendship we do not want to lose.

At St Michael’s the Confirmation unit is taught every second year in Stage 3 (Year 5 and 6 students), in the even year cycle (2024…). Eligible students in Stage 3 receive the Sacrament of Confirmation at the end of the teaching unit at a Sunday Parish Mass.