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.
Welcome to Sacramental Preparation for 2020-2021!
We look forward to supporting your family as you grow in faith and in your relationship with Jesus. Please read the information provided below before registering.
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 2020-2021, families will complete a home-based program. As the Catechism teaches, parents are the primary catechists. We, as a parish, are here to support you.
We will have workshops prior to receiving the sacraments in the spring.
You must provide your child's baptism certificate - even if he/she was baptized at St. Gabriel.
To obtain a copy of baptism certificates for baptisms at St. Gabriel Church, please contact Carolyn Tillman here.
Submit baptism certificate here
Our Sacramental Preparation Fee is $50 per student, payable with online registration. Please contact Kristen Rivera with financial concerns.
All meeting and workshop dates will be provided well in advance, and events will comply with CDC guidelines on Covid 19.
The child and one parent will attend a workshop and/or a rehearsal with their child as part of preparation for each of the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist Mass.
First Reconciliation: Will be scheduled in the Spring (March or April 2021) over several dates.
First Eucharist: will be scheduled over several weekends in May and June of 2021.
Interested in receiving sacraments as an adult? Learn more here.