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 Faith Formation 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.
These parent-student workshops meet from 2:30-4 pm in the main church.
A 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:
No additional form needed! You will register for First Communion preparation as part of the online Family Faith Formation registration form.
Find Family Faith Formation registration here
MACS families, we invite you to participate in our monthly Family Faith Formation. If participating, First Communion registration is PART OF the Family Faith Formation registration form. (See above/left)
NOT PARTICIPATING IN FAMILY FAITH FORMATION?
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:
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 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:
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. Attendance is required.
First Reconciliation: Will be scheduled in the Winter (January or February) over several dates.
First Eucharist: will be scheduled over several weekends in May and June of 2023.
Interested in receiving sacraments as an adult? Learn more here.
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.