First Communion and First Reconciliation
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Sacramental Preparation
Welcome to sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion! For many years, families at St. Gabriel Church have prepared their children for these sacraments through retreats and at-home materials. We look forward to supporting your family as you grow in faith and your relationship with Jesus.
This Diocese requires that your child be in religious education through our parish's Family Faith program or in Catholic school two years before receiving the sacraments.Your child must be at least 7 years old and a registered parishioner of St. Gabriel Church (Please provide the child's baptism certificate - email copy here)
Not baptized? Learn more hereTo make the Sacraments:
Register for the Sacrament program
Attend two required day retreats for parents and children.
Pay $30 materials fee per student is payable with online registration.
Have had two years of faith formation
Session A: Begins fall 2024 (REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED)
Eucharist Retreat: February 22, 2025*
First Communion: Received in spring 2025 (many dates will be available)*Retreats take place at St. Gabriel. Both student(s) and parent(s) attend.Session B: Begins winter 2025 (REGISTRATION ONLINE BELOW)
- Reconciliation Retreat: March 15, 2025*
- First Reconciliation: Date to be determined or at weekly parish confession times
- Eucharist Retreat: September 13, 2025
- First Communion: Received in fall 2025 (many dates will be available)
*Retreats take place at St. Gabriel. Student(s) and parent(s) attend.
See other frequently asked questions below.
Questions? Please contact Leanne
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Register for Grades 1- 5 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.
Grades 1-5 Family Faith registration opens in April 2025
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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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Families at St. Gabriel Church will attend two retreats and do at-home workbooks. As the Catechism teaches, parents are the primary catechists. Our parish is here to support you.
We have opted to intentionally invite the young children to a more intimate celebration of First Holy Communion as part of our parish to receive a particular Mass in the Spring rather than a large Mass with all the children.
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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 participate 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 certificate.
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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 book fee of $30/student due with registration
It is expensive to run the programs of Formation. Prayerfully consider continuing to support the 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 - one on going to confession and one on receiving the Eucharist. Retreats will be on Saturdays (1 per semester) from 9:00 am-12:00 pm or 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at St. Gabriel School Cafeteria.
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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 we will need to work with you as a family to prepare. Please reach out to us.
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If your child is preparing for Sacraments, he/she will receive First Communion in the spring semester.
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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 Erica 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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