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 (Family Catechesis or Archangel Gabriel Catholic School).  This "track" prepares candidates to receive God's forgiveness and Jesus' Body and Blood for the first time.  The track is "family-based," meaning a parent/guardian accompanies the child through preparation and attends the sessions with them.

To be eligible for sacrament preparation, children should be baptized, have reached the age of reason (generally at the age of seven), and in their second year of catechesis (not counting Kindergarten).  Unbaptized children may participate as part of their RCIC formation.    

1. Register for First Penance & First Holy Communion by December 8, 2021

2. Baptism Certificate by January 19, 2022 
Submit your child's baptism certificate to the Archangel Gabriel Parish Administrative Office (address below) 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).  If you need to obtain your child's baptism certificate from the Diocese of Pittsbugh Archives Office, click here.

Please mail baptism certificates to:
Mrs. Carol Pfeuffer
Archangel Gabriel Parish
5718 Steubenville Pike
Robinson Township, PA 15136-1311

PLEASE NOTE: the sessions are for child and parent.  All events will begin at 7:00 PM and last approximately 60 minutes.  Virtual sessions will be conducted via Zoom and a meeting invite will be sent, via Flocknote, prior to the virtual session date.

• In-person on Wednesday, February 23 from 7:00 to 8:00 PM at the Youth Ministry Center (formerly Saint Malachy Gymnasium)

• Virtual on Tuesday, March 1 from 7:00 to 8:00 PM via Zoom

• In-person on Wednesday, March 9 from 7:00 to 8:00 PM at the Youth Ministry Center (formerly Saint Malachy Gymnasium)

• Virtual on Tuesday, March 15 from 7:00 to 8:00 PM via Zoom

The celebration of the Sacrament of First Penance will take place during Lent on the following dates:

• Thursday, March 24 at 6:30 pm at Saint Malachy Church
• Saturday, March 26 at 10:00 am at Holy Trinity Church

• In-person on Wednesday, March 30 from 7:00 to 8:00 PM at the Youth Ministry Center (formerly Saint Malachy Gymnasium)

• Virtual on Tuesday, April 5 from 7:00 to 8:00 PM via Zoom

• In-person on Wednesday, April 13 from 7:00 to 8:00 PM at the Youth Ministry Center (formerly Saint Malachy Gymnasium)

• Virtual on Tuesday, April 19 from 7:00 to 8:00 PM via Zoom

The celebration of the Sacrament of First Holy Communion will take place during the Easter season at the following Masses:

• Sunday, April 24 at the 12:30 PM Mass at Holy Trinity Church
• Sunday, May 1 at the 11:00 AM Mass at Saint Mary Church
• Sunday, May 15 at the 8:00 AM Mass at Saint Malachy Church
• Sunday, May 15 at the 12:30 PM Mass at Holy Trinity Church
• Sunday, May 22 at the 8:00 AM Mass at Saint Malachy Church
• Sunday, May 22 at the 12:30 PM Mass at Holy Trinity Church
• Sunday, May 29 at the 12:30 PM Mass at Holy Trinity Church