FIRST RECONCILIATION and FIRST EUCHARIST (2nd grade)

St. Gabriel’s Sacramental Preparation program is geared toward providing parents—as their children’s primary educators—with the tools and information needed to properly prepare children for reception of the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist. Children traditionally celebrate these sacraments during their 2nd grade year. The Diocese of Charlotte requires that children must be baptized and complete 1st and 2nd grade religious education curriculum in either a Catholic church Faith Formation program or a Catholic school in order to prepare for and receive First Reconciliation and First Eucharist.

All children registered for 2nd grade Faith Formation classes are automatically registered for Sacramental Preparation, as well. Parents must provide a copy of the child’s baptismal certificate to the program coordinator. Even if the child was baptized at St. Gabriel, it is the parents’ responsibility to provide confirmation of baptism.

Second grade students at St. Gabriel School receive program registration forms and information during the first weeks of each school year. St. Gabriel School parents who wish for their children to prepare for and receive the sacraments at St. Gabriel Catholic Church must complete and return the registration forms and a copy of their child’s baptismal certificate by the deadline provided.

Parents of 2nd grade St. Gabriel School students who are not registered in the parish but who wish for their child to prepare for and receive sacraments with their class must provide an authorization letter from their home parish’s pastor, in addition to a completed registration form and confirmation of baptism.

Parents who are registered parishioners of St. Gabriel Catholic Church and whose 2nd grade children attend parochial schools other than St. Gabriel but want their children to prepare for and receive sacraments at St. Gabriel must obtain, complete and return a registration form, as well. In addition, they should notify the coordinator of the Sacramental Preparation at their children’s school that their child will not participate in that program.

Parents of children who are beyond 2nd grade but who have not prepared for and/or received the sacraments should contact Laura Rice or Trish Stewart to discuss the matter.

A materials fee of $45 is due upon registration, whether the child attends 2nd grade Faith Formation classes or parochial school.

In the fall of the 2nd grade year, parents must attend a meeting where they will receive materials and information pertaining to First Reconciliation. They will be expected to work with their child over the course of the next few months, attend a workshop with their child as part of preparation of the sacrament. A communal penance service will be held after the first of the year wherein the children will celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation. All meeting and workshop dates will be provided well in advance.

In the spring of 2nd grade year, parents will attend a meeting where they will receive materials and information pertaining to First Eucharist. Again, they will be expected to work with their child over the course of the next few months, attend a workshop with their child as part of preparation of the sacrament, and a rehearsal for their child’s First Eucharist Mass. First Eucharist for 2nd grade students is traditionally celebrated on the first Saturday in May.

For more information, contact Laura Rice, Lrice@stgabrielchurch.org or 704-362-5047, ext. 228.