Catholic students in state schools don’t usually experience religious education during school hours but in Rockingham they have been the beneficiaries of a scripture programme over the past 12 months run by Our Lady of Lourdes parish.
So it was that parish priest Fr Michael Separovich celebrated a special mass of thanksgiving for children on Sunday 27 November, marking the end of the 2011 Scripture Programme for children at state schools in the parish.
All students were actively involved in one or another aspects of the celebration of Mass.
Thanks to a dedicated team of voluntary cathechists, the children have been attending weekly classes after school in preparation for one of the sacraments of Reconciliation, First Holy Communion or Confirmation.
After mass, certificates were presented to students during a morning tea with their families.
Scripture classes for 2012 will resume in early March.