A French priest from the Community of St John has been invited to Perth and Bunbury from 8-16 November to teach children in particular how to adore the Blessed Sacrament.
The programme for the Children of Hope tour developed by Fr Antoine Thomas csj introduces children to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and it has been active in many countries since 1994.
Fr Antoine led the Children of Hope tour in Sydney for the few weeks leading up to the Sydney Congress Embracing the New Evangelisation (SCENE) in 2009 and again in 2010. This will be his second visit to Perth.
St Bernadette’s Glendalough parish priest, Fr Doug Harris, will be hosting Fr Antoine Thomas.
With the blessing of Perth Archbishop Barry Hickey, Divine Mercy College in Yangebup and Fr Doug are sponsoring his stopover in Perth on his way to Christchurch in New Zealand.
After many years in America, Fr Antoine is being sent to New Zealand to be prior of a new foundation of the Community of St John.
There will be opportunities in Perth for the public to attend open talks by Fr Antoine on Children’s Eucharistic Adoration in the third millennium as well to discover the purpose of life.
Fr Antoine will visit several Perth primary schools including St Lawrence Primary, Balcatta; St Jude Primary, Langford and Aranmore Primary, Leederville among others.
Fr Antoine will also teach some high schoolers about Adoration at Divine Mercy College and at Kearnan College, Manjimup.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is growing in Perth. There are several chapels of perpetual Eucharistic Adoration including in Ocean Reef which is now open most weekdays from 9am to 7 or 9pm for Adoration.
In 2005, Pope Benedict XVI wrote an Apostolic Exultation on the Eucharist as the Source and Summit of the Church’s Life and Mission, Sacramentum Caritatis (Sacrament of Charity).
In this letter, the Holy Father not only encouraged the setting aside of specific churches and oratories for Perpetual Adoration where possible in highly populated areas but he recommended that children learn how to spend time with Jesus.
“I also recommend that, in their catechetical training, and especially in their preparation for First Holy Communion, children be taught the meaning and the beauty of spending time with Jesus, and helped to cultivate a sense of awe before His presence in the Eucharist,” he wrote in 2005.
Further details – Email: eac.perth@yahoo.com or call: Anna 0411 952 233 or visit: www.childrenofhope.org.
Children of Hope Tour Programme
Monday, 8 November
7-8.30pm at Sts John and Paul, 5 Ingham Ct, Willetton. Fr Antoine will give a public talk What’s the Purpose of our Life? followed by Family Holy Hour. All welcome.
Tuesday, 9 November
4-5pm at Sts John and Paul, 5 Ingham Ct, Willetton. Fr Antoine will lead a Holy Half Hour from 4-4.30pm for children 4 and up; and at 4.30-5pm will lead a Holy Half Hour for ages 10 and up. All children welcome.
Wednesday, 10 November
5.30-8.30pm at Catholic Youth Ministry, 40/A Mary St, Highgate. Fr Antoine will join the young adults for Mass at 5.30 followed by Holy Hour and at 8pm he will give a short talk. All young adults welcome.
Thursday, 11 November
7.30-9pm at St Bernadette’s, 49 Jugan St, Glendalough. Fr Antoine will give a public talk and formation of children’s Adoration leaders. He will speak about Children’s Eucharistic Adoration in the Third Millennium. All welcome. There will be Mass at St Bernadette’s at 5.45pm beforehand.
Friday, 12 November
7.30-9pm at St Jude’s, 20 Prendiville Way, Langford. Fr Antoine will give a public talk What’s the Purpose of our Life? followed by Family Holy Hour. All welcome.
Saturday, 13 November
9-10am at Christ the King, 61 Lefroy Rd, Beaconsfield. Fr Antoine will lead a Holy Hour for children 4 and up and teenagers, followed by a cup of tea. All welcome.
Sunday, 14 November
1-2pm at St Mary’s Cathedral, 17 Victoria Sq. Fr Antoine will lead a Holy Hour for families, especially children 4 and up, including teens. All children, parents, Religious, priests, children’s liturgy groups welcome.
7pm at St Bernadette’s, 49 Jugan St, Glendalough. Fr Antoine will join the young adults for Mass. All welcome, especially the young adults of the parish.
Monday, 15 November
7-8pm at Sacred Heart, cnr Guppy and Dean Sts, Pemberton. Fr Antoine will lead a Teen Holy Hour in the parish Church. All teenagers welcome.
Tuesday, 16 November
7.30-8.30pm at St Jude’s Parish Centre, 20 Prendiville Way, Langford. Fr Antoine will give a public talk Challenges of Teenagers in the Third Millennium.
All are welcome to these public events.