Welcome to the First Penance and First Holy Communion Preparation Portal

The welcome to the holy table of the Lord seals the initmate bond which baptism establishes between Jesus Christ and his disciples.  For those baptized as infants, the earliest years of life are nourished in the faith, hope, and love of the Christian family.  The family, in turn, is rooted in and sustained by the parish community, the local embodiment of the whole people of God. 

In time, and especially through participation with the family in the celebration of Mass, the young Christian becomes more and more aware of the wonderful encounter with Christ in the Eucharist, and their role as a member of the liturgical assembly, their larger family in the Lord.

Toward the end of early childhood, around the age of seven, the young disciple, whose baptismal faith has been enriched through catechesis, is presented to the Church for admission to the sacrificial meal of the Body of Christ.  Before they come to Eucharistic communion, candidates are to celebrate sacramental confession.

At Archangel Gabriel Parish, preparation for the reception of the Sacraments of First Penance and First Holy Communion takes place outside of regular religious instruction (Faith Formation Ministry or Archangel Gabriel Regional School).  This outside "track" prepares candidates to receive Jesus' forgiveness and his Body and Blood for the first time.

1. Register for First Penance & First Holy Communion preparation by January 26
Click here to register. 

2. Baptism Certificate by February 12 
Submit your child's baptism certificate to the Archangel Gabriel Parish Administrative Office if your child was baptized at a church other than Holy Trinity, Saint Malachy, or Saint John of God (Mother of Sorrows or Saint Mary Help of Christians).

PLEASE NOTE: the parent meeting is for parents only and the sessions are for child and parent.
   
Tuesday, January 12, 2021          Parent Meeting
                     
Tuesday, February 2, 2021          First Penance Session One  
Tuesday, February 9, 2021          First Penance Session Two 
Tuesday, February 16, 2021        First Penance Session Three
 
Tuesday, March 16, 2021             First Holy Communion Session One
Tuesday, March 23, 2021             First Holy Communion Session Two
Tuesday, March 30, 2021             First Holy Communion Session Three
 

All events will begin at 6:30 PM and last approximately 60 minutes.  Additionally, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all events will be conducted via Zoom.  A meeting invite will be sent, via Flocknote, prior to all events.

The celebration of the Sacrament of First Penance will tentatively take place during Lent and the celebration of the Sacrament of First Eucharist (First Holy Communion) will tentatively take place during the Easter season.  Details will be announced in the near future.