Sacramental Programs at St Charles for First Reconciliation (held during the Lenten Season), Confirmation (held around the feast of Pentecost) and First Communion (held around the Feast of Christ the King), focus on learning about and sharing faith.

Each Sacramental Program is founded on the two key principles of the centrality of scripture to our education in faith, and the power of reciprocal ministry between parents and their children.

Candidates and their mums and dads are required to attend a series of weekly sessions spread over three weeks for First Reconciliation, and over five weeks for First Communion and Confirmation.

As primary life-givers and faith-educators, parents have a crucial role in preparing their children and encouraging and supporting them in the practice of their faith.

As parents accompany their children through the program, they are drawn to reflect on their own faith and are encouraged to do so in a companionable and gentle manner.

In addition, they find themselves building relationships and sharing faith stories with other parents in their group. Parents also need the support and guidance of the greater Parish community in this challenging duty and accordingly, members of the Sacramental Team facilitate sessions and also journey with the candidates.

The parishioners of St Charles are invited to welcome the candidates at designated Enrolment ceremonies during Sunday Eucharist. They are also encouraged to become Prayer Partners with one or more of the candidates and are invited to support them by signing their names on special sheets for the children. These sheets are displayed in the church during the programs.

The preparation for a sacrament is a very special time in the life of the Catholic Church but especially so within in the local Parish community.

This preparation process, known as Sacramental Catechesis, provides our entire Parish with an opportunity to deepen its own spirituality in the sacramental life of the Church.