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Sacramental Preparation: 2022-2023
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.
Four Parent/Student WorkshopsThese parent-student workshops meet from 2:30-4 pm in the main church.
- 9/18/22: 1st Reconciliation materials pick up and kick off workshop
- 11/13/22: "Going to Confession” workshop
- TBD: 1st Communion materials pick up and kick off workshop
- 3/12/23: “How to Receive the Eucharist” workshop
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:
- Be baptized (every family must provide their child's baptism certificate - email copy here)
- Completed religious education last year (2021-2022 school year) in a parish Faith Formation program or by attending Catholic school
- Are currently enrolled in religious education (2022-2023 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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How to register for First Communion preparation
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Registering for Family Faith Formation?
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
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MACS (Catholic school) family?
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?
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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 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:
- DATE TBD: 1st Reconciliation Materials pick up and kick off workshop
- DATE TBD: "Going to Confession” workshop
- DATE TBD: 1st Communion Materials pick up and kick off workshop
- DATE TBD: “How to Receive the Eucharist” workshop
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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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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.
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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.
PARENT-CHILD WORKSHOPS
- 9/18/22: 1st Reconciliation materials pick up and kick off workshop
- 11/13/22: "Going to Confession” workshop
- TBD: 1st Communion materials pick up and kick off workshop
- 3/12/23: “How to Receive the Eucharist” workshop
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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.
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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 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.
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Interested in receiving sacraments as an adult? Learn more here.
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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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