First Communion and First Reconciliation
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Registration for First Communion is now open below!
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Sacramental Preparation
Welcome to Sacramental Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion! This preparation is IN ADDITION TO the religious education your child is receiving through our parish's Family Faith program or in their Catholic school.
For many years, families at St. Gabriel Church have prepared their children for the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist through a combination of workshops and at-home materials. We look forward to supporting your family as you grow in faith and in your relationship with Jesus.
New this year! Two sessions
We're excited to offer flexibility for our families this year. You will have the option to choose from 2 sessions - beginning sacramental preparation in the fall or winter.
Preparation includes two required retreats for parents and children. Choose a session that works for your family's schedule and your student's readiness. A $30 fee per student helps offset cost of materials, payable with online registration.
Students must meet eligibility requirements (see below) and be enrolled all year in Family Faith and/or Catholic school.
SESSION A- Reconciliation Retreat: September 23, 2023*
- Eucharist Retreat: January 27, 2024*
- First Communion: Received in spring 2024 (many dates will be available)
*Retreats are 9:00 am to 12:00 pm Noon at St. Gabriel. Student and parent(s) attend.
If you miss a retreat, you will have the opportunity to move to the next session to complete preparation. No make-up retreats will be offered.
SESSION B- Reconciliation Retreat: February 10, 2024
- Eucharist Retreat: August 17, 2024
- First Communion: Received in fall 2024 (many dates will be available)
*Retreats are 9:00 am to 12:00 pm Noon at St. Gabriel. Student and parent(s) attend.
If you miss a retreat, you will have the opportunity to move to the next session to complete preparation. No make-up retreats will be offered.
First Reconciliation DatesAs part of Sacramental preparation, students will have the opportunity, with their parents, to learn about the sacrament, what to expect, and how to make a good confession.
After attending your first Reconciliation retreat and completing the at-home materials with your child(ren), you are able to attend any of the regularly scheduled confession times at St. Gabriel for your child(ren)'s first Reconciliation.
EligibilityA student's family must be registered parishioners of St. Gabriel Church to prepare for and receive First Reconciliation and First Eucharist. The Diocese of Charlotte requires that children:
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Be baptized (every family must provide their child's baptism certificate - email copy here)
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Completed religious education last year (2022-2023 school year) in a parish Faith Formation program or by attending Catholic school
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Are currently enrolled in religious education (2023-2024 school year) in a parish Faith Formation program or attending Catholic school
See other frequently asked questions below.
Questions? Email Haley Heiberger
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Register for Family Faith
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Students must be enrolled in religious education (in the parish and/or in Catholic school) both the year before AND the year of receiving First Communion.
Find grades 1-5 Family Faith registration here
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Frequently Asked Questions
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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)
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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. This year, we will continue this approach with two parent-child day retreats 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.
If you and your child(ren) are ready to begin preparation to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and first Eucharist, you may choose to register with one of two groups beginning preparation in 2023-2024.
Session A (Beginning fall 2023) will receive first Communion in Spring 2024.
Session B (Beginning spring semester 2024) will receive first Communion in fall 2024.
Session A retreat dates:
September 23, 2023
January 27, 2024
Session B retreat dates:
February 10, 2024
August 17, 2024
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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]
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A small program fee of $30/student due with registration will help to pay for materials.
We are gratefully investing more than $450/student this year in staff, materials, and resources for Family Faith Formation. We ask you to prayerfully support Faith Formation and the other ministries, operations, and mission of St. Gabriel through regular offertory contributions. This is an important part of spiritual leadership of your family.
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As a part of our program, the child(ren) preparing for Sacraments and at least one parent will attend 2 required retreats. Retreats will be on Saturdays (1 per semester) from 9:00 am-12:00 pm at St. Gabriel.
If you miss a retreat, you will have the opportunity to continue preparing with the next session of Sacrament prep families the following semester.
Session A retreat dates:
Reconciliation Retreat: September 23, 2023
Eucharist Retreat: January 27, 2024
Session B retreat dates:
Reconciliation Retreat: February 10, 2024
Eucharist Retreat: August 17, 2024
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There are no make-up dates for parent/child retreats for first Reconciliation and first Communion. If you miss a retreat, you will have the opportunity to continue preparing with the next session of Sacrament prep families the following semester.
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If your child is preparing for Sacraments in 2023-2024, he/she will receive First Communion either in the spring semester of 2024 or the fall semester of 2024.
Session A (Beginning fall 2023) will receive first Communion in spring 2024.
Session B (Beginning spring semester 2024) will receive first Communion in fall 2024.
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- Registered St. Gabriel Catholic Church parish families with a St. Gabriel School 2nd grader: Please register online and submit your 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 participates 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.
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Interested in receiving sacraments as an adult? Learn more here.
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If your child is 7 years-old or older and has not yet been baptized, please email Haley at [email protected] for more information on preparing for Sacraments
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The Real Presence of Jesus
Jesus said: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world. " (Jn 6:51-55).
The Catholic Church professes that, in the celebration of the Eucharist, bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit and the instrumentality of the priest. Christ is truly present, body, blood, soul, and divinity, under the appearances of bread and wine—the glorified Christ who rose from the dead after dying for our sins.
By his Real Presence in the Eucharist Christ fulfils his promise to be with us "always, until the end of the age" (Mt 28:20).
Learn more here.
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