Tonight was a very special night for many of the Year 7 boys as they received the sacrament of Confirmation. In total, fourteen boys in the form, along with another ten from other year groups took part in this very special evening. In addition to the sacrement of Confirmation, Tyrone Janson Ho (Greenwich) and Adrian Ang (Artarmon) also made their First Communion.

Over the last few weeks, each of the boys have met with Fr Andrew in order to prepare them for this sacrament and tonight, they were joined by family and friends in celebration. As the Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney, Most Reverend Julian Porteous quizzed the boys during his homily, it was obvious that the boys were well prepared.

One of the things that I found noticeable this evening was the number of boys who had their older siblings as their sponsors. What a wonderful example of family coming together and seeing one young man or woman sponsor their younger brother at his Confirmation is superb illustration of the strength of faith in our community at Joeys.

Joining the boys in this sacred event were many of their friends as the boarders contributed strongly with their singing and responses. It was wonderful to have several local boys request to stay for the mass as well. This evening was a wonderful example of the boys supporting their mates in all facets of College life.

A big congratulations to all the boys (listed below) on this significant moment in their lives as we know with great confidence that the Holy Spirit has found each of these young men.

Photo 1:  Antonio Puglisi (Lane Cove) is Confirmed by Bishop Portous

Photo 2: Harry Tate (Year 9) was the sponsor for his younger brother Max Tate (Bronte) – one of five boys to have an older sibling as his sponsor.

Today the boys celebrated the Eucharist together for the first time as a year group at the Year 7 Mass. The College Chapel is an amazing place where many important events in the lives of our boys and “old boys” take place. It is the place where weekly masses, graduations, funerals and weddings all take place and I am sure that today’s mass is an event that will be remembered by all the boys when they reflect on their time at Joeys a little later in life.

This was a also a very special occasion for the boys as Mr Tarlinton and Fr Andrew presented them with their new College Bibles. This passing-on of the good news is very symbolic and important for us as a Catholic school and both Mr Tarlinton and Fr Andrew spoke to the boys about the importance of not only what is in the bible but also looking after their own bibles.

We are very lucky at Joeys to have Fr Andrew as our College Chaplain. He has an incredible ability to deliver his homilies in a way that the boys can understand and relate to which makes their faith very relevant and meaningful for them. Today was no different and the boys were encouraged to continue working on their spiritual life, as they do with all other areas in their lives.

It was excellent to see many of our boys contributing to the liturgy through music and readings and certainly the way that all the boys joined in the singing and responses was very pleasing. It is a great sign of the importance that the boys place on their faith here at Joeys.

Photo 1: Liam Hamilton (Drummoyne) is presented with his College Bible by Mr Tarlinton.

Photo 2: Stephen Matheson (Longueville) reading at our mass.