Religious Education Program

A series of religious education classes are conducted at St Gerard’s each Wednesday night (6.00 – 7.00 pm) on a continual basis during the school terms. These classes are made available for children (from Year 1 onwards) who attend state schools in the area. They offer basic instruction in the Catholic Faith. Students are generally Primary School age but when teenagers show an interest in extending their knowledge, then appropriate lessons are offered to guide them on their faith journey.

Volunteers from within our Church Community supervise these classes and the limited number of students attending creates an atmosphere conducive to nurturing faith.

For further information contact Mary Phone 3263 5604

Sacramental Program

A sacramental program is included and covers the sacraments of initiation, preparing the children for Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Eucharist. Children from St Gerard's parish who attend the neighbouring Catholic Schools are invited to each of these ten-week courses with the children from the Religious Education Program. Instruction culminates in the celebration of Reconciliation towards the end of the year and Confirmation and First Eucharist during moving ceremonies around Pentecost Sunday each year.

The Sacramental program is available for children in Year 3 or older. This year it commences with a compulsory Information Session for parents of children who attend both Catholic and State schools. The sessions will be repeated on 3 occasions to allow parents greater flexibility in choice of attendance. At these sessions, the nature of the program will be explained and questions will be answered. The dates and times of the sessions are:

Enrolments for the Sacramental Program will be accepted after the Information Sessions. Further enquiries may be made to the Sacramental Program Coordinator (Dianne Trudgian) through the Parish Office (3359 0088) or email chermsidewest@bne.catholic.net.au