Matthew 17:20 “…Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

R.C.I.A.

R.C.I.A. – The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. The R.C.I.A. is the process by which adults who wish to become Catholic are introduced to the life of the Catholic Church through catechesis and liturgy.

R.C.I.A. encompasses adults who have not yet been baptised and wish to be, and those that are converting from other Christian religions to the Catholic faith who have already been validly baptised, and also adults who have been baptised Catholic but have not received any other sacraments.

The process at OLMC Parish begins after Pentecost Sunday each year where participants journey through for 12 months to become a fully Initiated Catholic and Reception into the Church at the Easter Vigil. Adequate catechesis and preparation must precede these sacraments.

Liturgy of The Word for Children

The term ‘Children’s Liturgy of the Word’ refers to the practice of children leaving the Mass during the Liturgy of the Word and gathering in a special area (next door in the OLMC Parish Hall)  to celebrate a separate Liturgy of the Word that is more appropriate to their level of understanding.

The approved book of readings for Children’s Liturgy of the Word is the ‘Lectionary for Masses with Children’.

The participants are usually children of primary school age. Children younger than this are generally unable to participate consciously and actively in liturgical celebrations. Note it is not a child minding or care facility.

It takes place during the Liturgy of the Word at the 10.30am Mass each Sunday (except during school holidays).The group is run by a team of volunteers and parents.

The children spend about 20 minutes reviewing the Sunday Gospel with the use of pictures, colouring in sheets, play, song, Etc. To help them to understand the meaning of the days Gospel.

Extra volunteers are always welcome.

Catechist/Scripture Teacher

The role of the Catechist is to provide religious education and pastoral care to Catholic students attending local government schools within the parish area.

Catechists and catechist helpers teach the children the Catholic faith/belief in our local State Primary Schools on a weekday morning Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday depending on the school. All schools are unfortunately not catered for as there are not enough volunteers.

Training is provided by the Archdiocesan Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD), at the parish.

The class lasts about 30 minutes and has a prescribed structure and catechists’ lesson book with lesson plans and teaching ideas for each class.

Some of the catechists also prepare the children from the State Schools for their First Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation through the parish program.

OLMC Youth Group

The Youth Ministry helps to foster the personal and spiritual growth of teenagers and young adults of our parish. Faith based programmes empower young people to live as Disciples of Christ in our world today.