At St George Preca Primary School the beliefs and practices of our Catholic faith and tradition are embedded in every aspect of our lives. The staff aim to provide opportunities for learners to recognise God’s presence in their daily lives, in those around them and in their environment. Learners are encouraged to develop their personal relationship with God and staff aim to empower students to live a life based on the life and teachings of Jesus.
As a school community, we gather regularly to pray and to celebrate liturgies and masses. Some of these include the following:
- students gathering in prayer each morning and afternoon.
- Beginning of the Year Staff Mass
- Beginning of the Year School Mass
- Ash Wednesday Mass
- Ash Wednesday liturgy
- Holy Week and Easter liturgies
- ANZAC Day liturgy
- St George Preca Feast Day Whole School Mass
- Remembrance Day liturgy
- Solemnity of All Saints
- End of the Year School Mass
- Advent Liturgies
- Year 6 Graduation Mass
Sacraments
All sacraments are gifts of Jesus to his Church. Through these sacraments, we share in the blessings gained through his life, death and resurrection. Children in Years Three, Four and Six learn about the sacraments of Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation and children who are baptised Catholic, are able to receive these sacraments. As part of this preparation, they develop an understanding of each sacrament and become familiar with the prayers, rituals and traditions associated with them.
Faith development is a lifelong journey and staff acknowledge parents as the first educators of their child. To support parents, the school offers the opportunity for parents to attend Family Faith Nights and participate in information sessions related to each of the three sacraments that learners celebrate during Primary School.
Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Penance is a Sacrament of healing, because it heals the hurt caused by our wrong doings. The healing process helps us to grow as people and helps us to love. The Sacrament of Penance allows us to receive forgiveness of sins and be reconciled with God, ourselves, the Church family, and the human family—restoring our broken relationships. Through Penance, we are able to return to right relationships.
First Holy Communion (Eucharist)
In the Eucharist, Jesus gives himself completely to his Father and to us. Jesus becomes the spiritual food we need for our life’s journey. Children learn about the Eucharist in the context of the Mass, which is made up of the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Through preparing to receive this sacrament, the children come to understand its significance through the sharing of a holy meal, a gathering of friends, a great, loving sacrifice, a sign of forgiveness, a sign of peace, an expression of gratitude and a celebration.
Confirmation
Confirmation completes our Baptism. We are sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit, and strengthened to spread God’s word by what we say and do. As the students prepare for Confirmation, they are helped to explore their life experiences in light of the Gospel, and think about the ways they are called to service and continue the work of Jesus in the community.