Religious Education

Students in 5/6 have been exploring how personal and spiritual transformation is activated through significant encounters and challenges. By the end of the term they will understand and be able to discuss:

• how faith is shared and strengthened in communities,
• that people choose how to respond to change,
• how the Holy Spirit is a power of transformation and present in the actions of people.

Students are learning about traditional saints like our own St Mary MacKillop of the Cross but also modern figures whom we may consider to have saint-like qualities like Greta Thunberg or Malala Yousafzai. This work will also support those students who will later prepare for Confirmation this year.

Religious Life of St Michael’s

First Communion

We keep in our prayers our First Communion candidates and their families as the children prepare to receive the precious Body and Blood of Jesus Christ this coming weekend. This weekend is particularly chosen as we celebrate the feast of Corpus Christi this week.

 Feast of Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi is a festival that has been celebrated by many Christians, particularly the Catholic Church, in honour of the Eucharist since 1246. The name “Corpus Christi” is a Latin phrase that refers to the body of Christ. This event commemorates the Last Supper on the day before Jesus’ crucifixion, as described in the Bible. Corpus Christi is primarily celebrated by the Roman Catholic Church, but it is also included in the calendar of some Anglican churches.

Many Christians, especially those who belong to the Catholic denomination, receive Communion on this day. Some people, particularly children, receive their first Communion during Corpus Christi. This practice, also known as the Eucharist, involves people accepting consecrated bread and wine (or grape juice), which we believe are transformed into Jesus Christ’s body and blood.

Some churches have Corpus Christi processions and social gatherings after a church service. Thousands of people have participated in some of these processions in cities such as Sydney in recent times. Special guests are often invited to attend these processions, which usually feature music from choirs and bands. Corpus Christi usually falls on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday although some churches may celebrate it on the Sunday after Trinity Sunday.