St. Kieran's Parish@SpiritLive(TM)

The Catholic Community of North Harbour

Sacraments of Initiation

The Sacraments of Initiation
for
Children

A journey for families into discipleship and community!

The Catholic Community of North Harbour

BAPTISM

The Sacraments of Initiation complete:
- a journey of re-birth in Christ,
- commitment as a community of disciples.
Baptism, Confirmation and Communion
together make up the Sacraments of Initiation.
At the age of 7/8, they complete their Initiation through the parish sacramental program in small family groups.

THE SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM

This program commences in August of any year and is in three sequential stages.

Confirmation   ------- August-September
Reconciliation  ------ February-March
Communion     ------- April-May

Families wishing to participate should note that acceptance into the program requires:

That the child is baptised

Parent attendance at the first Enquiry evening and the Registration session,

Parent attendance at the sacramental formation evenings,

Completion of Documentation:
- a copy of the baptism certificate
- registration form
- donation for program resources.

Before presenting the children for the sacraments, it is expected that the children will have:

Attended Weekend Mass with their family

Participated in the special rituals,

Attended the program sessions.

All children are encouraged to participate in Children’s Liturgy on the 1^st , 2^nd, 4^th Sundays of the Month at Sunday Mass.

RECONCILIATION 2008

School starts 28^th January, 2008

February 4         Facilitators Meeting (Leaders)       9.30 am or 7.30pm St Kieran’s

February 6         Ash Wednesday

February 11        Parent Sessions                            9.30 am or 7.30 pm St Kieran's

                                                                 or
February 14        Parent Session                              9.30 am or 7.30 pm St Kieran's

February 18-22   Reconciliation Session 1

February 23/24   Ritual of Cross                              Any Parish Mass over weekend

February 25-29 Reconciliation Session 2

March       3       Reconciliation Practice                   3.30 pm or 7.30 pm St Cecilia's

March      5/6     Reconciliation                             7.30 pm St Cecilia's

March  10              Reconciliation Practice              3.30 pm or 7.30 pm St Kieran's

March 12/13           Reconciliation Practice              3.30 pm  or 7.30 pm St Cecilia’s


March 12/13          Reconciliation                         7.30 pm St Kieran’s

March 11               Parish Reconciliation              7.30 pm St Cecilia’s

March 16-22          Holy Week

COMMUNION 2008

April 1

Parent Session St Kieran’s

9.30 am       or       7.30 pm

April  3

Parent Session St Kieran’s

9.30 am       or       7.30 pm

April 7

Leaders’ Meeting St Kieran’s

9.30 am       or       7.30 pm

May 5-9	Communion Session 1
May 12-16	Communion Session 2
May 17/18	Ritual of Our Father	Any Parish Mass over weekend
May 19-23	Communion Session 3
May 26-30	Communion Session 4
May 30	Practice – St Cecilia’s – St Kieran’s	3.30 am or 7.30 pm 3.30 am or 7.30 pm

June 7

Communion – St Cecilia’s

– St Kieran’s

5.30 pm

6.00 pm

June 8

Communion – St Cecilia’s

– St Kieran’s

9.00 am

9.30 am

June 14

Communion – St Cecilia’s

– St Kieran’s

5.30 pm

6.00 pm

June 15

Communion – St Cecilia’s

– St Kieran’s

9.00 am

9.30 am

June 29

Parish Gathering

CONFIRMATION 2008

“These children have been reborn in baptism.
                     They are now called Children of God,
                                                     for so indeed they are.”
                                                                          From the Baptism liturgy

STAGE 1        ENQUIRY TIME

June 17

Parent Catechesis – St Kieran’s

  9.30 am

OR

June 19

Parent Catechesis – St Kieran’s

7.30 pm

OR

June 24

Parent Catechesis – St Kieran’s

7.30 pm

STAGE 2        Gathering of documentation at home.

STAGE 3 Parent preparation for group sessions and handing in of documentation.

July 22           Parish Centre St Kieran's      9.00 - 10.00 am
                                                                          or
                      Parish Centre St Kieran's      7.00 -  8.00 pm
                                                                          or
July 24           Parish Centre St Kieran's      9.00 - 10.00 pm
                                                                          or
                      Parish Centre St Kieran's      7.00 -   8.00 pm

July 29           Group Leader's Meeting
                      Parish Centre St Kieran's      9.30 am or 7.30 pm

Aug 2/3          Rite of Welcome.
                     Any parish Mass over weekend.

STAGE 4 FAMILY GROUP CATECHESIS

August    4 -  8      Confirmation Session 1
August 11 - 15      Confirmation Session 2
August 16 - 17      Ritual of Creed - any Parish Mass over weekend.
August 18 - 22      Confirmation Session 3
August 25 - 29      Confirmation Session 4.

STAGE 5 CELEBRATING THE SACRAMENT

September 2          Confirmation Practice at St Kieran's       Group 1    3.30 pm
                                                                                        Group 2    7.30 pm

September 3           Confirmation Practice at St Cecilia's       3.30 pm or 7.30 pm

September 6           Confirmation at St Kieran's:                  Group 1    10.00 am
                                                                                        Group 2    11.30 am
                                 Confirmation at St Cecilia's:                                 1.30 pm

Confirmation 2007

The Parish Priest, Pastoral Associate and Sacramental Co-ordinator are happy
to answer further enquiries.

9949 4455

RITE OF INITIATION for CHILDREN

For children and young people

in grade four and above

who wish to be baptised

who have been baptised,

but have not been Confirmed

nor received First Communion.

A time of community

A time to learn together

A time for making friends

A time for God and you

Call the Parish Office on 9949 4455

CHILDREN'S LITURGY

at the beginning of Mass the priest invites the children to gather at the altar and we process to the hall, for about 20 minutes, then we return to the church to resume Mass with the assembled community.
is held as part of the 9.30 am Sunday Mass, at the Church of St Kieran, during school terms on the first, third, fourth and fifth Sundays of the month.
is held as part of the 9.00 am Sunday Mass, at the Church of St Cecilia, during school terms on the first, second, fourth and fifth Sundays of the month.
any child of pre school or primary school age is welcome to attend.
allows children to listen to the Gospel at a level appropriate for their age.
structure —
welcome and introduction
lighting of the candle, Symbol of Christ’s presence with us
reading of the First Reading; sung Gospel Acclamation; reading of the Gospel
a discussion of the meaning/theme of the gospel
simplified creed is said
Prayers of the Faithful may be made up with the Gospel theme in mind
a song or prayer to finish.

Would you like to participate:

as a Leader? - one or two people prepare and guide children through the
liturgy at the level appropriate to their age.
as a set up and pack away assistant?- one person helps set up and pack away mats and chairs used .

for further information or to volunteer please contact
Sr Josie on 9949 4455 for Church of St Kieran
Marguerite Hudson on 9949 9264 for Church of St Cecilia

What is the RCIA?

It’s the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults….a process for preparing and welcoming new members into the Catholic Community. It is a journey of faith and life.

A community journey….. that leads to a change of heart and mind through our journey with one another…..sharing, praying and worshipping with the church community.

A personal journey….where we are able to discover our personal relationship with God through the Gospels and teaching of the Church in a friendly and caring environment.

How does it work? The process of becoming a Catholic Christian is a journey of faith made in the company of other enquirers, sponsors, catechists and priests.

The process involves discussion and sharing of the Gospels and the teachings of the Church and leads to an understanding of what it means to be a follower of Jesus and Catholic Christian.

How long will it take? That depends on you!!

In our parish the process begins mid-year and most enquirers are received into the Church the following Easter and continue to journey together until at least Pentecost. If, after consultation with others you feel that you are not ready to be received into the Catholic Church your decision will be respected. This is your journey of faith!!