For more than 20 years, I have had the privilege of presenting Sacramental evenings to schools throughout Victoria and nationally. It is an opportunity for children, parents /carers, and educators to reflect upon the
unique way God becomes fully present sacramentally and guides us in our lives. As well as presenting sacramental evenings, I am a Catholic
educator, liturgist, spiritual director, and singer-songwriter.
2023 ONLINE SACRAMENTAL EVENINGS
Due to the success of online presentations, we will be presenting our sacramental evenings online again in 2023 using several platforms, including ZOOM, WEBEX, GOOGLE MEET and MICROSOFT TEAMS. Parents are given the
opportunity to sit quietly with their child in the privacy of their own homes, creating a personal sacred space with the ritual of lighting a candle. Staff are no longer required to remain at school after hours but can participate in the sacramental formation from
home and apply for accreditation via TAP. Sacramental evenings are usually 60-70 minutes and include an opening prayer, music, a visual presentation, an invitation for parents and children to
dialogue and a blessing. The evening is hoped to be informative for all participants, including parents and educators.
MUSIC FOR YOUR SACRAMENTAL LITURGY
I am available for sacramental liturgies,including the first Eucharist andConfirmation. I will provide live music andsinging at
the liturgy and, if required, canprovide a recording of the songs forchildren to rehearse leading up to thesacramental liturgy. For further details, please get in touch with me
atmariaforde1@gmail.com or 0411158593
Here is a sample of my music: ‘Do this in memory of me’
Bookings are now open for 2023 online sacramental presentations. For more information, please get in touch with me at mariaforde1@gmail.com or 0411158593
ARIA FORDE SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION EVENI
In the meantime check out some of my other school resources available to you for free on Youtube
'Abba Father Daddy' - a song to teach children an understanding of the 'Our Father' Prayer
'Hail Mary Mother of God' - a song to teach children an understanding of the Hail Mary Prayer
'He has Risen' - a song celebrating the Risen Christ
'In my Father's House' - a song focussing upon the importance of caring for our planet
Grade one / two teacher from Our Lady of Lourdes Bayswater:
We were learning about choices in RE today. I read a story that finishes with the parent saying 'I love
you even though you wear me out!' At the end of the story Johnny said 'Thats like what Maria taught us last night... that our parents always love us even when we do the wrong thing. And so does
Jesus' I nearly cried!! How lovely!! Even our juniors got something out of the night!! Thanks !!
'Maria Forde brings her spirit, warm personality, deep faith, authenticity, musical talent and wonderful
voice to our school community, as she facilitates parent and children sacramental programs.
Parents and children are engaged and responsive to Maria as she tells stories, sings and plays the
guitar, explains the rich symbolism and meaning of our sacraments and invites our community to prayer. Maria does so with a simplicity, authenticity and deep conviction.
As a community we look forward to Maria’s parent/child sacramental programs each year and walk away enriched in our understanding
of our Catholic story, the Sacraments and our faith.'
Anthony McCluskey
Principal
St Mary Mac Killop Primary School
Keilor Downs
'Thank you for helping our children see a little more of themselves and for the gift of music you have shared' Mary Immaculate
School Ivanhoe
'I want to thank you for a wonderful presentation. You guided us through the Sacrament in a spiritual, reflective and engaging way.
I think everyone present was tuned into what you were doing. Our PP loved it and spoke so highly of the evening and told his parishioners.'
Rachele Oliver
Deputy Principal
St Andrews School
South Clayton
To book your 2019 Sacramental Days or Evenings please contact Maria on 0411158593 or mariaforde1@gmail.com
Please enjoy a selection of songs that I wrote to assist children with understanding the
Sacraments