As the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle looks ahead to the International Eucharistic Congress in 2028, we are invited into a moment of deep reflection: How are we forming our young people to recognise, love, and live the mystery of the Eucharist?

This question sits at the heart of our mission. It is not simply about preparing children for sacraments, but about nurturing a lifelong relationship with Jesus – one that begins in childhood and continues to grow throughout life.

The Eucharist: A mystery that transforms

When we gather for Mass, something extraordinary takes place. The bread and wine offered on the altar do not remain what they appear to be. Through the prayers of the priest, they become the Body and Blood of Jesus. They look the same, but in their deepest reality, they are transformed.

Why does this matter? Because Jesus desires to be close to us. At the Last Supper, he said, “This is my body… this is my blood.” He meant it. In every Eucharist, Jesus gives us his very self – his love, his life, his presence.

The Eucharist is not simply a ritual meal. It is a gift of love, a sign of unity, and a promise that Christ is always with us. When children learn to recognise this mystery, they discover that faith is not abstract. It is personal. It is relational. It is transformative.

 

The Atrium: A sacred space where children encounter God

One of the most beautiful ways our diocese is nurturing this understanding in children is through the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS), offered in the parish hall at Our Lady of Lourdes, Beresfield. The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a child-focused program that meets in a specially prepared environment called The Atrium. This formation process, grounded in Scripture, the liturgy, and the educational insights of Maria Montessori, invites children aged 3 to 12 into a gentle, contemplative encounter with God.

The Atrium allows children to work with sensorially rich materials that proclaim the essential mysteries of our faith. They are free to explore, wonder, and respond to God’s invitation in their own way.

The Atrium is not a classroom. It is a space of prayer, beauty, and community, where children encounter the Good Shepherd who calls them by name. Here, they learn to hear God’s Word and to recognise Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist.

Preparing for 2028 begins now!

The Church around the world is being called to deepen its love for the Eucharist. Here in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, that renewal begins with our children.

We are invited to ask:

• How are we helping young people recognise Jesus truly present in the Eucharist?
• How are we nurturing spaces, like the Atrium, where children can encounter God with wonder and joy?
• How are we forming families, parishes, and schools to accompany children in their growing relationship with Christ?

Looking ahead with hope

The road to 2028 is not simply a countdown to an event. It is an invitation to renewal – of hearts, of communities, and of our diocesan mission.

The Eucharist transforms us so that we may transform the world. By helping children understand this mystery, we are shaping disciples who will carry the light of Christ into the future. Investing in their spiritual formation today prepares a generation who will approach the Eucharistic Congress not as spectators, but as disciples who hear the voice of the Good Shepherd and recognise him in the breaking of the bread.

A call to be involved

Ahead of the International Eucharistic Congress in 2028, our diocese is being invited not only to reflect, but to act. The formation of young people in the mystery of the Eucharist is not the work of a few; it is the shared mission of our whole Church.

For parents who desire their children to grow in wonder, understanding, and love for Jesus truly present in the Eucharist, now is a beautiful time to become involved.

The Atrium is open every Wednesday from 10am to 12pm, offering a gentle, sacred space where children can encounter God through prayer, Scripture, and hands on materials that help them recognise the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.

We also warmly invite those who feel a stirring, to support children more directly. Becoming a Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) facilitator is a deeply rewarding way to accompany young people as they discover the Good Shepherd who knows them by name. You do not need to be a teacher, only someone who loves God, loves children, and is open to learning.

We are preparing for 2028 by investing in the hearts of our youngest disciples today.

Your ‘yes’ whether as a parent, a parishioner, or a potential CGS facilitator, helps build a Church where children can encounter Jesus in the Eucharist with joy, reverence, and confidence.

Together, let us form a generation ready to recognise Christ in the breaking of the bread and to carry his light into the world.

If you choose to say ‘yes’ to a calling in this ministry, or if you would like to learn more, click the button below