Tena koutou katoa. Nga mihi nui atawhai.

‘Baptism is a gift from God to humanity. Baptism initiates us into the family of God and cleanses us of sin. We do not need to earn this gift. God gives it freely to all who are open to it. For someone who is baptized, the personal response of faith comes as the person grows to respond to the graces given in baptism’.

This past Sunday, nine of our students who participated in our school based Sacramental Programme, received the sacrament of Baptism at St Mary’s Church in Northcote. It was lovely to see these young women initiated in the Catholic faith, supported by their whanau and god parents.

And, in the next few weeks, 45 of the participants will receive the other Sacraments of Initiation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation.

Ms Fouhy and Sr. Anna have guided over 70 students through this programme during Term 2, meeting weekly to learn about our Catholic faith and to then, with their families, make the decision about receiving sacraments.

We joyously welcome you all into our Catholic faith family.

‘And with the grace of Baptism and of Eucharist Communion, I can become an instrument of God’s mercy, of that beautiful mercy of God.’ Pope Francis