Preparing and Celebrating Together (PACT) is our parish pathway for first reconciliation, first communion and confirmation for children aged 8 by 1 May 2024. It’s an exciting part of your family’s faith journey as you grow in understanding and faith, and deepen your relationship with Jesus.
Parents and children who would like to participate in this years programme need to come along on Sunday 7 April after 9am Mass for our introduction session.
PREPARING TOGETHER
Sunday Mass:
Sunday Mass is the centre of our life as Catholics. Therefore it is important that in preparing to receive the sacraments families come along to Sunday Mass.
Preparation Sessions:
Sessions for adults and children will be held after mass in Taupō.
Reconciliation
5 May | 26 May | 9 June
Confirmation
28 July | 11 August | 25 August
8 Septebmer Encounter Day with the NET team 9am - 3pm (Students only)
First Communion
20 October | 3 November | 10 November
CELEBRATING TOGETHER
We encourage you to invite friends and family to these special celebrations. More details about these celebrations will be shared during the preparation sessions.
Reconciliation:
Sunday 23 June after 9am Mass
First Communion and Confirmation:
Sunday 17 November 9am Mass
The sacraments are not the goal at the end of a program, rather, sacramental preparation is only one part of our faith journey. The PACT journey encourages an openness to our strengths and calling to ministry within the parish community.
Feedback from our families last year:
"Thank you for all your hard mahi"
"We get more chance to spend time together as a family even we are busy working weekdays and the kids are at school. Our faith is way more stronger as we get closer to God and share it to our children. "
"I have learnt more about Jesus and the Mass. I pay more attention during Mass. It has helped me to become more involved in the parish. Thank you for the fun, enjoyable lessons."
"I LOVED IT ALL!!!! Thanks. Fun experience. "
"This has been a very well run and organised programme with great resources."
"Thank you PACT team for the awesome sessions. "
"Kids should lean Catholic faith is worldwide. Great course. Felt it was more beneficial for the family compared to when the child came by himself previously. "
"Happy, joyful, thankful, nice. "
"The teachers are good. We like the videos."
"I enjoyed the activities."
"As parents we were reminded of the importance and meaning of Reconciliation, Confirmation and Communion. Children learned the importance of the Eucharist and the true meaning of it. We learned that Jesus sacrificed a lot and gave up his life because of his love for us. "
Reconciliation (Confession)
We come to Jesus for forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In this sacrament, we confess our sins to a priest. He forgives us in Jesus’ name. The grace we have lost is given back to us.
First Communion
Our First Communion is the very first time we receive the body and blood of Jesus in the Eucharist. Once we have made our first communion we are called to join together with our church community and receive the Eucharist every Sunday at Mass.
Confirmation
By the sacrament of Confirmation we are more perfectly bound to the Church and enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. We are, as the true witness of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.
It is important to discern whether your family is ready for this journey. If you have any questions please contact me.
Alison Carroll
Phone: 027 662 5078
email: pastoral@tongarirocatholic.nz