On 9-10 May, the VESCC confirmation class conducted its Retreat Weekend in the village of Winden in the Burgenland and in the Prater. It was an opportunity to escape the routine of life in Vienna and reflect on the sacrament of Confirmation which they will receive later this month. The weekend included time for the confirmation candidates to bond as a group, reflect on their relationship with God, and also to relax (as is evident in some of the photos). On the second day of the retreat we conducted our Service Project by inviting some teenagers from a nearby refugee camp to spend the day with us in the Prater, where we took them bowling, had a picnic and played in the park.

We invite the entire community to celebrate our Confirmation with us at Mass on Sunday 31 May at the St. Francis of Assisi Church on Mexico Platz.

Nine young children from the VESCC community received their First Communion on Sunday, 26 April at the St. Francis of Assisi Church in Vienna, Austria. Fr. Kevin Soars presided over the solemn ceremonies in the presence of community members, and friends, relatives and guests of the children’s families.

A photo gallery of selected pictures is available on this site.

Families with children wishing to prepare for First Communion or Confirmation are asked to be sure to attend the first Whole Community Catechesis on Sunday November 9th at 9:45 a.m. It is still not too late for First Communion Registration and Confirmation Registration.

First Communion and Reconciliation and Confirmation preparations are yearly activities supported by the VESCC community. A gallery of pictures from the First Communion Rites held in April 20, 2008, as well as Confirmation Rites held April 22, 2007 at the Votive Church is available for viewing.

Ten young children from the community, ages 7 and up, received their first sacrament of Holy Communion on 20 April, 2008 at the Votiv Church in Vienna. Selected photos of the ceremony are available here.