The sacraments of the Catholic Church are the key ways that God communicates His life of sanctifying grace to humanity. Ordinarily, Catholic children are prepared to receive the sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation when they attend Catholic primary school. We offer sacrament preparation courses for Catholic children from our parish who do not attend a Catholic primary school.

Sacrament Preparation Courses Information 2027

Courses Overview

• In 2027, our parish will offer children’s sacrament preparation courses for First Reconciliation, Baptism (children aged 7 and older), and First Holy Communion.
• We offer the Baptism (for children aged 7 years and older) and Confirmation preparation courses in alternating years. Confirmation will be next offered in 2028.

Enrolment Criteria

• To enrol in Baptism / Reception into the Catholic Church, at least one parent must be a baptised Catholic.
• To enrol in First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation, children must have been baptised Catholic (or have been received into the Catholic Church if they were baptised in another Christian church).
• To enrol for First Reconciliation, children must have been baptised and be in grade 3 or above.
• To enrol for First Holy Communion, children must have made their First Reconciliation and be in grade 4 or above.
• To enrol for Confirmation, children must have received First Reconciliation and First Communion and be in grade 5 or above.
• Children may only enrol in one sacrament preparation course per year in the sequence outlined above.
• In order to enrol your child, the enrolment form and fee must be received by our parish prior to the enrolment closure date. The enrolment form should be submitted to the Sacrament Administration Assistant by email (see bottom of this page).

Attendance

• Beginning in 2027, we require at least one parent to attend each preparation class with their child.
• In order to be admitted to the sacrament, children must attend all preparation classes.

Required Resources

• Children and parents will need to bring stationary to write, draw, cut and paste.

Enrolment Fee. The fee per child per course is $200 ($20-$25 per class). If the child’s family has participated in the parish’s stewardship program for at least six months, the fee is $100 per child per course. The enrolment fee covers the cost of remunerating our qualified catechists and of providing resources. To pay the enrolment fee, visit our Giving Portal. Under ‘Donation for’ select ‘Children’s Sacrament Preparation Fee’, select ‘Leave a message’ and write your child’s full name.

First Holy Communion

This course is for children who are in grade 4 or above. Children must have been baptised Catholic (or received into the Catholic Church if validly baptised in another Christian church), and have received their First Reconciliation.

Enrolments Close
Wednesday 30th June 2027

Course Commences
Wednesday 14th July 2027

Age
Grade 4 and above

Class Venue
St Anthony of Padua Church, Lara

Class Time
6.45pm – 8.00pm

Class Dates
Class 1 | 14/07/2027
Class 2 | 21/07/2027
Class 3 | 28/07/2027
Class 4 | 04/08/2027
Class 5 | 11/08/2027
Class 6 | 18/08/2027
Class 7 | 25/08/2027
Class 8 | 01/09/2027
Class 9 | 08/09/2027
First Communion Mass | 12/09/2027

First Holy Communion Mass
9am at Lara or 11am at Corio
Sunday 12th September 2027

Submit with your Application Form:

• A copy of your child’s birth certificate
• A copy of your child’s baptism certificate
• $200 enrolment fee

Copies of sacrament certificates may be obtained by contacting the parish where the sacrament was received.

Contact our Sacrament Administration Assistant

For all inquiries relating to the sacraments, please contact our Sacrament Administration Assistant, Ivy Parkinson, by email admin@coriolaracatholicparish.com.au using the form above or by phone on 03 5201 3924.