FAMILY and the community came together at St Brigid’s Church, Nerang this month to make the annual sacramental program something special.
Parish priest Fr Rafal Rucinski said the larger than normal group of 48 candidates included two sets of twins and four of current pastoral council chairman Michael Ware’s grandchildren.
“We did it as a community, the craft group volunteered to make confirmation stoles for each of the children,” he said.
He said the craft group had recently been learning how to make Rosary beads and also donated a hand made set to each child as a communion present.
“Our sacramental co-ordinators Ed (Fahey) and Rebecca (Flockhart) took full control and ownership of the program leaving me without worries,” Fr Rucinski said.
Michael and Marie Ware, who have both served on the pastoral council at various times over the last 15 years, had four of their 22 grandchildren among this year’s sacramental program candidates and said it was a very special occasion.
“Each of those children were also baptised in St Brigid’s Church and attend St Brigid’s primary school where another eight grandchildren have attended or completed their education,” Marie, who is also a member of the craft group, said.
“We have seven children and 22 grandchildren both here in Australia and in New Zealand and it was amazing and quite special to have four of them confirmed and
receive their first Eucharist together.”
Mr Ware, the pastoral council chairman, said it was wonderful to have so many friends and family present.
“It was wonderful to have my whole parish community share my joy at more of my grandchildren being fully initiated into the Catholic Church,” he said.
“We have a good strong parish school community and days like these go smoothly because of how well we all work together.”
