National Child Protection Week

This week we celebrate Child Protection Week. As a system of schools, the Diocese of Wollongong has an unwavering commitment to child safety and sits at the heart of everything we do. The theme for 2023 Child Protection Week is 'where we start matters'. It is an opportunity to come together as a community to raise awareness of child safety and child abuse prevention. It was an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the protection of the children and young people in our care. We strive also to support all of our students to learn and develop respectful relationships with others.

Sacrament of Confirmation

Last night Year 6 students and other students in our St Anthony’s Parish received the Sacrament of Confirmation under the faith guidance of Fr Peter and our Bishop, Bishop Brian Mascord.

This sacrament is called Confirmation because the faith given in Baptism is now confirmed and made strong. Confirmation means accepting responsibility for your faith and destiny. Childhood is a time when you’re told what to do, and you react positively to reward and negatively to punishment. Adulthood, even young adulthood, means that you must do what’s right on your own, not for the recognition or reward but merely because it’s the right thing to do. The focus is on the Holy Spirit, who confirmed the apostles on Pentecost (Acts 2:1–4) and gave them courage to practice their faith. Catholics believe that the same Holy Spirit confirms Catholics during the Sacrament of Confirmation and gives them the same gifts and fruits.

We pray for all the students who were confirmed and their families as they are filled with the Holy Spirit and are called to live their life filled with God’s goodness and love. Thank you to the families of our students who have supported them on their journey and thank you to the teachers, catechists and Sacramental organisers who have helped prepare the students for this very special occasion.

Creator Spirit, 

strengthen the students of our Parish with your gifts of grace, 

to love and serve as a disciple of Christ. 

Grant that they may grow into the fullness of the stature of Christ. 

Fill them with the joy of your presence. 

Increase in them the fruit of your Spirit: 

the spirit of wisdom and understanding, 

the spirit of love, patience and gentleness, 

the spirit of wonder and true holiness.