To prepare for and receive First Reconciliation and First Eucharist, a student's family must be registered parishioners of St. Gabriel Church.  The Diocese of Charlotte requires that children:

• Be baptized (every family must provide their child's baptism certificate - submit copy below)
• Completed religious education last year (in a parish Faith Formation program or attending Catholic school)
• Are currently enrolled in religious education (in a parish Faith Formation program or attending Catholic school)

For many years, families at St. Gabriel Church have prepared their children for the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist through a combination of workshops and at-home workbooks.  For 2021-2022, we will continue this approach with parent-child workshops that support the home-based learning materials.  As the Catechism teaches, parents are the primary catechists.  We, as a parish, are here to support you. 

These hour-long, parent and child workshops are scheduled in the main church at 2:30 pm:  

• September 19, 2021:  1st Reconciliation Materials pick up and kick off workshop
• November 7, 2021:  "Going to Confession” workshop
• January 30, 2022: 1st Communion Materials pick up and kick off workshop
• April 3, 2022:  “How to Receive the Eucharist” workshop

You must provide your child's baptism certificate - even if he/she was baptized at St. Gabriel.   

Request baptism certificate from St. Gabriel Church

Take a picture or scan the certificate and email it to [email protected] 
 

ABOUT FEES THIS YEAR:   There is no separate program fee.   Please prayerfully help provide for the  $450/student investment (in staff, materials, and resources) through your regular offertory giving.  All of our parish ministries, activities and expenses are funded through giving.  We encourage you to use Online Giving.  Learn more or login here.

All workshops are for both the child and at least one parent.  These are scheduled on Sundays at 2:30 PM in the main sanctuary of the Church.  We plan on sessions being about 1 hour each. Mark you calendars now as attendance is required.

PARENT-CHILD WORKSHOPS

• September 19, 2021:  1st Reconciliation Materials pick up and kick off workshop
• November 7, 2021:  "How to Go to Confession” workshop
• January 30, 2022: 1st Communion Materials pick up and kick off workshop
• April 3, 2022:  “How to Receive the Eucharist” workshop

First Reconciliation: Will be scheduled in the Winter (January or February 2022) over several dates.
 
First Eucharist: will be scheduled over several weekends in May and June of 2022. 

• Registered St. Gabriel Catholic Church parish families with a St. Gabriel School 2nd grader: Please register online and submit the baptismal certificate.
• Parents of 2nd grade St. Gabriel School students who are not registered in the parish: Please contact your home parish to pariicipate in their sacramental preparation program.  Our hope is that each family fully pariticipates in their home parish community.
• Parents who are registered parishioners of St. Gabriel Catholic Church and whose 2nd grade children attend another MACS school: Please register online and submit the baptismal certiticate. 

Learn more here about sacraments for older students - grades 3 and up.  

Interested in receiving sacraments as an adult?  Learn more here.