Sacramental Preparation for First Eucharist and First Reconciliation

These "First" Sacraments are milestones in your child’s on-going Catholic formation.  Each year of religious instruction builds on the knowledge gained in previous years.  Therefore, it is expected that students starting the 2nd grade Sacramental preparation have completed at least one year of previous faith formation. 

 Students enrolled in St. Gabriel Elementary School prepare for First Eucharist and First Reconciliation as part of the religious curriculum of Second grade.  Students enrolled in the Sunday Morning Religious Education Program will prepare for First Eucharist and First Reconciliation as part of the 2nd Level curriculum.  All students and their parents can expect to attend additional meetings and workshops throughout the year to enhance their sacramental preparation. 

 First Reconciliation is offered in January during a special Penance liturgy.  First Eucharist is celebrated with the parish community during several Sunday Mass times in the spring.  Contact the Coordinator of Children’s Formation, Betsy O’Neill for more information. 

The following links are excellent resources for families with a child preparing to receive First Eucharist and/or First Reconciliation:

2ND GRADE ST. GABRIEL SECOND GRADE SACRAMENTS SCHEDULE
2009-2010

• Sunday Website by St. Louis University:  http://liturgy.slu.edu/   Has readings, Student (from SLU) reflections, Praying toward Sunday, Spirituality for  Sunday, Get to Know the Readings and Music for Sunday for each week. Faith First
• Faith First for Families:   http://www.faithfirst.com/html/family/family.html   Find weekly readings, answers to common questions kids ask, a church tour, and more general information about the faith.
• Making First Reconciliation a Priority (what a parent thinks influences their child’s perception)     http://new.catholicmom.com/2009/07/23/making-first-reconciliation-a-priority-by-elizabeth-ficocelli/
• Act of Contrition worksheet (fill in the blanks) http://www.catholicmom.com/2007_lesson_plans/contrition_worksheet.pdf
• Reconciliation Word Search http://www.catholicmom.com/printables/reconciliation_word_search.pdf 
• Eucharist Word Search   http://www.christiancoloring.com/cmpdf/yearofeucharist/yoegeneralws.pdf
• Ten Tips for a Better Confession   http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac0890.asp 
• Reconciliation: An Experience of Forgiveness (from a teen’s view) http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/YU/ay0199.asp
• How to Celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation Today   http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac0800.asp
• Preparing for Confession   http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac0800.asp
• Why do Catholics confess their sins to a priest?  http://www.americancatholic.org/UpdateYourFaith/answers.asp?QY0199
• I feel so uncomfortable; can this Sacrament be good or me? http://www.americancatholic.org/Messenger/Mar2000/Wiseman.asp#F1