This page includes a series of questions that are commonly asked by our parishioners and cover topics including faith formation, sacramental programs, mass time table and more.

Church celebrations & life

• What is a catholic parish?

  A parish is a definite community of the Christian faithful established on a stable basis within a particular Church; the pastoral care of the parish is entrusted to a parish priest as its own shepherd under the authority of the diocesan bishop” (CCL No. 515)

• What are the Parish Office opening hours?

  Parish Office opening hours are:
  Monday: 8:30am to 4 pm.
  Wednesday: 8:30am to 4 pm.
  Thursday: 8:30am to 4 pm.
  Friday: 8:30am to 4 pm.

• What is the regular mass timetable?

  Weekend Masses
  Saturday	4:40pm Rosary & Reconciliation. 5:00pm Saturday Vigil Mass.
  Sunday	7:10am  Reconciliation. 7:30am  Mass. 8:40am  Reconciliation. 9:00am Mass includes Children’s Liturgy during school term, follow by morning tea. 11:15am Vietnamese Mass 6:00pm Mass

   

  Week day Masses
  Monday	8:45am Rosary.9:15am Mass, Adoration & Reconciliation.
  Tuesday	6:15pm Adoration. 6:30pm Rosary & Reconciliation. 7:00pm Mass.
  Wednesday	8:45am Rosary. 9:15am Mass, Adoration & Reconciliation.
  Thursday	8:45am Rosary. 9:15am Mass, Adoration & Reconciliation.
  Friday	8:45am Rosary. 9:15am Mass, Adoration & Reconciliation.
  1st Friday of the month	7:00am to 7:30pm Adoration. 9:15am & 7:30pm Mass Mass with Anointing of the sick. 4:00pm Vietnamese Mass

• Is this a child-friendly parish?

  A child-friendly liturgy
  People like to worship in different ways. At St Luke’s we have four Sunday Masses, each with its own special character. The 5:00pm Vigil Mass on Saturday evenings and the 9:00 and 6:00pm Masses on Sundays are traditional-style liturgies with singing. The 7:30am Sunday Mass is a quiet Mass, without music. The 9:00am Sunday mass, during school term, includes:

  Children’s Liturgy of the Word

  Children have their own Liturgy of the Word. It is for children from preschool age to 6 years old. They listen to, reflect on, and have activities based on Sunday readings at their level. The children re-join the congregation after the Prayers of the Faithful.

• Can you leave a bequest to our parish?

  A bequest is a donation left to your local parish, given via your will. A bequest to your parish will help the faith community which has meant so much to you to continue its good works and its loving outreach. It is also a means by which you can plan a lasting gift for your parish which might not be possible in your lifetime.

  In receiving a bequest, a parish may be able to use the gift to attend to much needed maintenance and improvements to the church and other Parish property or put the gift towards building a new church or refurbishing their existing one. These kinds of gifts help the Parish free up other income to use towards pastoral care programs.

  No matter the size of the gift, a bequest of any kind in your will can make a significant difference.

  The following are some examples of how a bequest may be given:

  1. A Specific Bequest: A detailed gift, for example, an item of property, shares or an insurance policy
  2. Percentage of your estate: Nominating a set percentage of your estate for your chosen beneficiaries
  3. Residuary Request: Nominating a beneficiary to receive any leftover monies from your estate
  4. Whole Estate: Nominating your entire estate for your chosen beneficiary

• Can you include the Parish in your will?

  Thank you for your thoughtful and generous consideration to make a lasting gift to your Parish. A gift in your Will (also known as a bequest) to the Church supports your family of faith.

  The following wording is intended as a guide only and we recommend that you seek advice from a solicitor who is experienced in Wills and Estates. You may wish to contact the Law Society of NSW via email lawsociety@lawsociety.com.au or phone (02) 9926 0333 for their Solicitor Referral Service.

  For general purposes to a Parish in the Archdiocese of Sydney

  “I give to the Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Archdiocese of Sydney as Trustee for the Catholic Parish of St Luke the Evangelist, Revesby in the State of New South Wales for its general purposes, the sum of $__________ or _____ % percent of my estate or the property at ________________ (or other specific items), free of all duties, taxes and other deductions of whatever kind.

  I declare that the receipt for the same signed by the Archbishop of the Archdiocese, or other designated officer, shall be sufficient discharge to my Executors and Trustees.”

• Can we donate by Paywave/Tap and Go?

  There are two Paywave machines which accept Visa, Mastercard, ApplePay and Samsung Pay.

  The machines are set to $10 per tap.

  First machine donations go to the Parish Fund and are used for the renovation and maintenance of the church building.

  Second machine donations go to the Parish Fund and are used for the priests, supports our retired clergy and pays medical costs.

• What are the Annual Giving Opportunities to donate?

  Peter’s Pence: conducted on the first weekend in July and sent to the Vatican as a response from the faithful to support the charitable activities of the Holy See.

  Project Compassion: conducted during Lent each year for Caritas, the Catholic organisation that provides humanitarian assistance to people in need. Project Compassion is tax deductible.

  Catholic Mission: taken annually to support the spreading of the Gospel in places around the world where Australian missionaries work. Catholic Mission is tax deductible.

  St Vincent de Paul: held twice a year for the Winter Appeal and Christmas Appeal. There are also ‘Poor Boxes’ with the SVDP logo in the Church.

  Holy Places: held on Good Friday to promote missionary work of the Church and support education, health and medical and social works for the people of the Holy Land and to preserve and restore the sacred historical sites.

Baptism

• What is baptism?

  Baptism is a holy sacrament during which an infant or newly converted Catholic is blessed with holy water and chrism oil, and then welcomed into the Catholic Church. Most often, baptism takes place during Catholic Mass, or as its own, separate ceremony before or after Mass. 

• What if my child is no longer a baby?

  Baptism for a child under 7 years of age is a straightforward matter. If a child is over 7 years then there is an expectation that the child, accompanied by his or her parent(s), would undergo instruction as the child is now old enough to be able to understand what is happening and what baptism means for him or her. This will be discussed with you at the time of booking, and following an interview with our Parish Priest.

• What if parent(s) aren’t Catholic?

  It is not uncommon for parents who aren’t baptised Catholic themselves to want this for their child.  An interview with our Parish Priest would be required before the baptism were to proceed, but please do not feel intimidated as it is merely the platform for you to express your desire for a Catholic upbringing for your child.

• Does a child of non-married parents be baptised?

  All that the Church requires is that the parents undertake to do their best to bring the child up as Catholic. Provided that there is a well-founded hope that the child will be brought up as Catholic, the child may be baptised.

  Does their not being married affect their willingness or ability to give a child a catholic upbringing? During the preparation for baptism the parents might be asked to consider this.

  Nothing is said on the baptismal certificate about the status of the parents. Sometimes a confidential note is made in the parish baptismal register.

• Do parent(s) and godparent(s) need to attend Education Class?

  Parents are required to attend education class that is taking place once a month at … Saturday of the month at 10am in Parish Centre, and to conclude online course prior to the presentation and birth of their child in the church. All godparent(s) and witnesses are welcome and encouraged to attend the education class and online course as well.

• When is the Presentation Ceremony?

  After completing the Baptism preparation Session, you are invited to present your child to the Parish. This will take place at 9am Mass on any Sunday of the month and you are warmly invited to join us for the Morning Tea afterwards.

• Can parent(s) choose the day of baptism?

  Choose if you would like to have the baptism of your child “Baptism within Mass” or “Baptism outside Mass”. You need to state this on the Baptismal Form. You may choose baptism on same date as the date of Presentation Ceremony. However, you may choose another Sunday but this must be after Presentation Ceremony. On some occasion you may choose Saturday morning or other time but this must be after the Presentation Ceremony.

• What are the requirements for godparents?

  Godparents play a very important role in your child’s spiritual life. They assist the child in leading a Christian life and in faithfully fulfilling the obligations that follow from their baptism. Godparents must serve as an example of how to live the Catholic faith as the Church teaches us. They support not only the child but also the parents of the child. Godparents also stand as a representative of the larger Church community. Therefore, being a godparent is not only an honour but a solemn responsibility. They should be chosen with care. The Catholic Church sets forth the following requirements for godparents:

  • There must be at least one catholic godparent.
  • Godparent(s) must be practicing Roman Catholics who:
  • Are at least 17 years of age and mature enough to understand, accept, and carry out the duties proper to a godparent.
  • Have received the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Holy Eucharist and Confirmation.
  • Are in good standing with the Church.
  • If non-Catholic may be chosen as a witness (not as a godparent) provided that the other sponsor qualifies as a Catholic godparent.
  • Godparents may be represented by proxies if they are unable to attend the ceremony. Those standing in as proxies must fulfil the same requirements as godparents.

• Can the baptismal record be changed?

  The Baptism will be recorded in the permanent records of whichever parish the Baptism takes place and they cannot be changed.

  Therefore, please be sure of the accuracy of information and the spelling of names, and write clearly and distinctly. Records will serve as the official place of record for all future sacraments, including marriage. Please submit this form as soon as possible to reserve your date and time.

• When will we receive the baptism certificate?

  A Baptismal certificate will be given to you on the day of your child’s Baptism. Later, whenever a baptismal certificate may be needed, it will be reproduced from the parish records.

• What should the baby wear? & Do parents need Candle(s)?

  A white Christening clothing is required. The clothing is worn so that it should be loose enough at the neck to allow anointing of the child’s chest. Parents need to provide a Baptismal candle and parents need to keep it as a reminder of this joyous occasion. The candle can be burned on Baptismal anniversaries and when the child receives other sacraments in the future.

• Can the photos or videos be taken during ceremony?

  Photographs and videos are encouraged at the ceremony. These are excellent ways of sharing the memory of this joyous occasion.

• Is there a donation?

  There is no fee, however, families are encouraged to offer a donation towards the priest on the occasion of their child’s baptism. This fund is the source of financial support for the priests of the   archdiocese and therefore any contributions thereto would be much appreciated. Please place it in an envelope marked with the child’s name and the date of the Baptism.

• What should the baby wear for the baptism?

  A white garment is an ancient sign of the newly baptized Christian’s new life in Christ. Your child’s baptismal garment need not be a traditional baptismal or christening gown; it can be any clothing that is mainly white.

Reconciliation

• What is the Sacrament of Reconciliation?

  The Sacrament of Reconciliation, or Confession, is a sacrament instituted by Jesus Christ providing a means for those who fall into sin after Baptism to be restored into God’s grace. It involves the admission of one’s sins made to a duly approved Priest in order to
  obtain Absolution.

  It is one of the most unique and beautiful aspects of Catholicism. Jesus Christ, in His abundant love and mercy, established this sacrament, so that we as sinners can obtain forgiveness for our sins and reconcile with God and the Church. The sacrament “washes us clean,” and renews us in Christ.

  “Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained’” (John 20:21-23).

• Why should I go to confession??

  If you haven’t been to Confession in a while, the Catholic Church wants to welcome you back, and invites you to participate in this beautiful sacrament of healing. Take a step in faith. You’ll be surprised about how free you feel after taking part in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. So many Catholics describe incredible feelings of peace, joy, relief, and love that they never expected. Jesus is calling you to experience His mercy in this way too.

• Is Catholic penance necessary for salvation?... and how often?

  Passages from the Catechism of the Catholic Church to consider:

  •  “The sacrament of Penance is necessary for salvation for this who have fallen after Baptism” (CCC 980)
  • “the Church possesses the power to forgive the sins of the baptized and exercises it through bishops and priests normally in the sacrament of Penance” (CCC 986)
  • “In the forgiveness of sins, both priests and sacraments are instruments through which our Lord Jesus Christ, the only author and liberal giver of salvation, wills to use in order to efface our sins and give us the grace of justification” (CCC 987)
  • “those who, since Baptism, have fallen into grave sin and have thus lost their baptismal grace… the Sacrament of Penance offers a new possibility to convert and recover the grace of justification.” (CCC 1446)
  • “When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called ‘perfect’ (contrition of charity). Such contrition remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible.” (CCC 1452)
  • Each faithful of right discerning age is “bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year.” (CCC 1457) Some might be tempted to just do the minimum. The Church allows it at one per year after all. But diligent selfexamination will reveal that almost each one of us, if not all, actually sin several times – making a yearly Confession simply not enough.

Eucharist & Holy Communion

• What is the Eucharist?

  The Holy Eucharist is a sacrament and a sacrifice. In the Holy Eucharist, under the appearances of bread and wine, the Lord Christ is contained, offered, and received.

  (a) The whole Christ is really, truly, and substantially present in the Holy Eucharist. We use the words “really, truly, and substantially” to describe Christ’s presence in the Holy Eucharist in order to distinguish Our Lord’s teaching from that of mere men who falsely teach that the Holy Eucharist is only a sign or figure of Christ, or that He is present only by His power.

  (b) All Christians, with but few minor exceptions, held the true doctrine of the Real Presence from the time of Christ until the Protestant Revolution in the sixteenth century.

  (c) The word “Eucharist” means “Thanksgiving.”

• Is Jesus really present in the Eucharist?

  The Catholic doctrine of the Real Presence is the belief that Jesus Christ is literally, not symbolically, present in the Holy Eucharist—body, blood, soul and divinity.

  Catholics believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist because Jesus tells us this is true in the Bible: “I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

  The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him” (John 6:48-56).

  Furthermore, the early Church Fathers either imply or directly state that the bread and wine offered in the celebration of the Lord’s Supper is really the body and blood of Jesus Christ. In other words, the doctrine of the Real Presence that Catholics believe today was believed by the earliest Christians 2,000 years ago!

• Is the Catholic Mass the same all around the world?

  Yes! No matter where or when you go to Mass, you will always know what you’re going to get! Jesus Christ celebrated the first Mass with His disciples at the Last Supper, the night before He died. He commanded His disciples, “Do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19). The celebration of the Mass then became the main form of worship in the early Church, as a re-enactment of the Last Supper, as
  Christ had commanded.

  Each and every Mass since commemorates Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross through the Holy Eucharist. Because the Mass “represents” (makes present) the sacrifice on Calvary, Catholics all around the world join together to be made present in Christ’s timeless sacrifice for our sins. There is something fascinating about continuing to celebrate the same Mass – instituted by Christ and practiced by the early Church – with the whole community of Catholics around the world… and in heaven.

• Can non-Catholics receive Holy Communion?

  Catholics believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, meaning that what appears to be bread and wine is really Jesus’ body and blood—not just a symbol of his body and blood. When Catholics receive Holy Communion, it is an expression of the unity among all those in communion with the Catholic Church throughout the world, who maintain the belief in the Real Eucharistic Presence of Christ. Therefore, only those who believe in the True Presence may participate in this sacrament of oneness with Christ and his Church. “… The celebration of the Eucharistic sacrifice is wholly directed toward the intimate union of the faithful with Christ through communion” (CCC 1382).

  Ultimately, Catholics believe that we cannot celebrate this unifying sacrament with other Christians while there are disagreements about the Eucharist itself. However, Catholics pray for the day when we can reconcile with other Christians and share in the unity of God’s people through the Holy Eucharist.

  Catholic communities express this desire for unity: “We pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spirit in this Eucharist will draw us closer to one another and begin to dispel the sad divisions which separate us. We pray that these will lessen and finally disappear, in keeping with Christ’s prayer for us ‘that they may all be one’” (John 17:21).

• If I miss Mass for no good reason, may I receive Communion?

  No, you ought to first go to confession. The Catechism, in conformity with ancient teaching about the necessity of attending Mass says, “Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit grave sin.” (#2181).
  Hence you ought to go to confession first. There are some reasons that one might miss Mass that are legitimate such as serious illness, the care of the sick, or some lack of capacity due to weather or distance and also struggle with work schedules. But in this matter they should consult with their pastor or confessor and also seek solutions.

Confirmation

• What is the Sacrament of Confirmation

  The Sacrament of Confirmation is the second of the three sacraments of Christian initiation.

  Confirmation completes Baptism, by which in the laying on of hands and the anointing with Chrism Oil, which first happened at Baptism, we are confirmed with the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

  We are reminded of our participation in the ministry and mission of Jesus, and strengthened to follow Jesus more closely.

• Who can receive the Sacrament of Confirmation?

  Those who have been baptised continue on the path of Christian initiation through the Sacrament of Confirmation. In this way, they receive the Holy Spirit, conforming them more perfectly to Christ and strengthening them so that they may bear witness to Christ for the building up of his body in faith and love. (Rite of Confirmation, nn. 1-2)

• What do I need to do if I would like to have my child confirmed?

  To start the process to be confirmed you will need to contact your local parish. We have a page to help you contact your nearest parish if you are unsure of your parish contact details.

  Parents are the first teachers of faith to their children and therefore are required to take part in the parish preparation to enable them to understand the meaning of the sacrament and the commitment they will make to support their child’s growth in faith and life.

• Can your child choose confirmation name?

  Choosing a Confirmation name has never been an official part of the sacrament, although it has been a popular custom in many places.

  Our given names are a very important part of our identity. Parents put a lot of thought into choosing a child’s name. It is appropriate for a candidate to confirm the name given at Baptism.

  If a saint’s name is chosen, it should be a name of a saint that inspires the child. Choosing a Confirmation name helps put us in contact with our greater Christian story.

• Whom should I choose as a sponsor?

  Confirmation is a reaffirmation of the promises made at Baptism, therefore the Church recommends that a child’s godparent take on the role of sponsor for Confirmation.

  Sponsors should be: at least 16 years old, not the child’s parent, a Catholic who has been confirmed, receives Communion and who lives a life of faith.

• What is the responsibility of the sponsor?

  Since a sponsor has such a significant role to play in the development of the candidate for Confirmation, it is important that this person be one who is a living example of faith, one whose actions reflect the actions of Jesus. A Confirmation sponsor offers support and encouragement during the Confirmation preparation process.

  During the Confirmation ceremony sponsors bring the candidates forward and present them to the bishop.

• What happens during the sacrament of Confirmation?

  The Sacrament of Confirmation consists of the renewal of baptismal promises and the laying on of hands and anointing with the oil of Chrism. The anointing of the candidate is a sign of confirming the gift of the Spirit, and calling the candidates to use these gifts to become involved in the life and mission of the community.

  Usually the bishop presides over this sacrament.

Marriage

• What’s different about getting married in the Catholic Church?

  Marriage in the Catholic tradition is a covenant – a sacred vow which, like God’s promise of love to us, can never be broken. From the beginning, God created man and woman to be joined as a sign of His love both to each other and to the world.

  In the Catholic Church, Marriage is one of seven Sacraments – a sacred sign that presents to the world a deeper spiritual reality. A man and woman in marriage reveal the full, free, faithful and fruitful love that Jesus Christ has for each of us.

• When contact the church?

  Couples are asked to give at least six months notice to the officiating priest or deacon. One month notice is obligatory by law, but the longer notice requested here allows for a calm and serious preparation for marriage.

• Do you need to take marriage preparation program?

  In order to recognize if you are ready for marriage and to prepare you for issues that you’ll inevitably face in your marriage, taking a marriage preparation course is mandatory for most marriages that occur within the Catholic Church.

  During the course, you’ll learn about balancing values, money, the role of family, healthy sexuality and intimacy, planning a family and parenting, communication skills and the theology of marriage.

  Fortunately, there are online courses that you can take that will suit your busy schedule and allow you learn about marriage, fulfilling the Catholic Church’s requirements.

• What documents required do you need to have?

  When you wish to be married in the Catholic Church, you need to provide the priest with the following documents:
  Baptism Certificate – This must have been issued in the past six months and is available from the parish where you were baptised. Send the parish your full name, estimated date of baptism and a stamped self-addressed envelope.
  Birth Certificate or Passport (if in different language then they need to be translated by professional translator)

  If either party has been married before, you must provide:
  a Decree of Nullity and Civil Divorce Decree
  or
  the Death certificate of their former spouse.

• What is mixed marriage

  A mixed marriage is where one party is a Catholic and the other party is not a Catholic, whether baptised or not. A Catholic, even when entering a mixed marriage must be married before a Catholic priest.

  Permission can be given for a Catholic to marry one who is not Catholic provided that the Catholic promises to safeguard his/her own Catholic faith and to do all in his/her power to have the children of their marriage baptised and raised as Catholic.

  The partner who is not a Catholic, though not required to make a promise must be properly informed before the wedding of the obligations and expectations the Church has of their Catholic spouse.

• What is annulment?

  An annulment (decree of nullity) is a declaration by the Tribunal that at the time of a wedding a permanent bond of marriage, as understood by the Church, did not come into existence because some essential element for a valid marriage was lacking.

• How does an annulment differ from a divorce?

  A divorce is a civil decree by which a marriage that existed has ended is now dissolved. An annulment, on the other hand, is not a dissolution. It is an official declaration by a Church Tribunal that at the beginning of the marriage, the time of consent, something essential was lacking that prevented a marriage bond as understood by the Church, from coming into existence.

• Can I re-marry in the Catholic Church after an annulment?

  In practical terms, if a marriage is declared null, the Church considers the parties free of the marriage bond that would have otherwise arisen. The parties are then free to marry in the Catholic Church.

• Whom do you need to contact?

  Archdiocesan Tribunal of Sydney

  Contact: Fr Julian B. Wellspring J.V.
  A: Level 7, Polding Centre, 133 Liverpool St, Sydney 2000
  P: (02) 9307 8300

  W: Webpage & E: Email