Thirty-seven young parishioners took the next step in their faith journey at St Joseph's Catholic Church when Bishop Michael Kennedy celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation in front of family and friends.
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The young candidates from St Xavier's Primary School and surrounding state schools had been prepared for the sacrament in the weeks leading up to Confirmation - one of the church's three sacraments of initiation into the Catholic way of life.
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Bishop Kennedy led the celebration supported by parish priests Fr John McHugh and assistant Fr Vince Amaro, who had nurtured the faith of the candidates throughout the enrolment period.
The bishop noted how wonderfully prepared the candidates were, and how reverently they conducted themselves throughout the special Mass, with their sponsors by their side.
The mass was held during Bishop Kennedy's pastoral visit to the parish where he mixed with the young people during retreat on the Friday and relaxed with senior school staff and members of the parish pastoral council and finance committee.
The students were prepared by Year 6 teachers at St Xavier's and state school catechists, supported by parents, families and sponsors throughout the sacramental program.
The mass was followed by morning tea and the cutting of a celebratory cake by school captains Alice O'Brien and Darcy Hannaford.