Everyone! Students of all ages and from all schools are invited to participate in formation programs to deepen their understanding of our faith and to grow in their relationship with Jesus.

• Kindergarten and younger can participate in the Children’s Liturgy of the Word at the 9 am Sunday Mass. 

• Families with students in  grades 1-5 are invited to participate in the Family Faith Formation program, which meets monthly on once a month on Sundays at 12:45 pm or Tuesdays at 6:00 pm. 

• First graders should be registered for Family Faith (or enrolled in Catholic School) in preparation for receiving the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist in second grade.  The Diocese of Charlotte requires two consecutive years of instruction (traditionally first and second grades) in order to receive these sacraments.

• Middle School students in Grades 6-8 will receive Faith Formation through EDGE Youth Group on Wednesday evenings.  Participation in this group will meet the 8th grade requirement for Confirmation preparation in 9th grade.  

• Confirmation preparation is usually done in 9th grade at St. Gabriel.  The Diocese of Charlotte requires two consecutive years of instruction (traditionally 8th and 9th) in order to receive this sacrament.  Details here.

• High School Youth Group will meet this year on Sundays after the 5 PM Mass.  Details here.

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.  

We will not be providing childcare in the immediate future, but parents may bring younger siblings to our monthly sessions - who must remain with the parents.

We encourage both parents to attend, but parents may take turns attending with the children month to month. We know that families are complex and have full schedules. Although we hope this will be a priority for your family, we recognize that on occasion a work commitment or sick family member might keep one parent from attending. In extreme cases, a grandparent or Godparent could attend with the student, but it should not be a nanny or sitter as this is a formation program for the family- parents, too.

Families are expected to attend all of the monthly sessions with the exception of illnesses and family emergencies.  

Please contact our Family Faith team if you will miss a session.

As the primary catechist for your children, you are responsible for their faith formation. St. Gabriel provides assistance to families through our programs. Reception of the sacraments (Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation) requires two years of catechesis in the parish or through a parish approved program.

Contact the Familiy Faith team for more information, if needed.

Email us here

The “weekly drop off to a classroom” model no longer aligns with our goal of families being fully involved in parish life. We strive to help families be engaged in our faith community of St. Gabriel.

The goals of our new family-based approach are to help families:

• Develop a vibrant Domestic Church within the home
• Pursue personal relationships with Jesus
• Develop a regular rhythm of participation in Mass and in the life of the parish
• Pursue opportunities to learn and grow in the fullness of our faith
• Recognize Christ’s presence in ordinary moments of daily life

Yes, we will need volunteers to help with breakout sessions for the different grade levels as well as other areas of responsibility to make this program a success. We will post on our website the different opportunities. All adults must have complete and up to date Safe Environment documents.

Find Safe Environment requirements here