1st Eucharist: A Sacrament of Initiation

1ST EUCHARIST PARENT INFORMATION 2012

Children traditionally celebrate the sacrament of 1st Eucharist (or 1st Communion) when they are in the 2nd grade of school. The Diocese of Charlotte requires two years of preparation for this sacrament. In order to receive 1st Eucharist in the 2nd grade, children must have completed 1st and 2nd grade religious instruction-either through a Faith Formation program in a Catholic church or a Catholic school.

•Children who transfer to the St. Gabriel Faith Formation program or St. Gabriel School for the 2nd grade must provide proof that 1st grade religious instruction was completed elsewhere.

•Children who are beyond the 2nd grade year and have yet to prepare for and receive the sacrament can do so through the Christian Initiation of Children (CIC) program (see below).

•If your child is registered for a 2nd grade class in either the Faith Formation program or a Catholic school and he/she has not completed 1st grade religious instruction, please contact Laura Rice at 704.362.5047 ext. 228 as soon as possible.

Preparation for all sacraments, including 1st Eucharist, is done through the church. The Diocese of Charlotte requires that students must register for sacraments in their home parish, or receive a letter of permission from their pastor to receive elsewhere. Letters of permission should be sent to:

Laura Rice
Sacramental Coordinator
St. Gabriel Catholic Church
3016 Providence Road
Charlotte, NC 28211

The St. Gabriel sacramental preparation program for 1st Eucharist is coordinated by the Faith Development Center. Registration is required (students who are enrolled in the 2nd grade Faith Formation program are also enrolled in the sacramental preparation program–no further registration is required). Second grade St. Gabriel School students will receive registration forms through the school soon after the new school year begins. St. Gabriel parishioners who attend Catholic school elsewhere but wish to receive the sacrament at St. Gabriel can pick up a registration form in the Ministry Center, or by contacting Laura Rice at 704.362.5047 ext. 228 or Lrice@stgabrielchurch.org.

Parents must provide a baptismal certificate with the completed registration form, and a $40 sacramental preparation fee (checks should be made out to St. Gabriel Catholic Church).

•If the mailing address for the church of baptism is not clearly indicated on the certificate, it is the responsibility of the parents to provide this information.

•Even if the child was baptized at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, the parents are responsible for provideing a copy of the baptismal certificate.

•If the child preparing for 1st Eucharist has not yet been baptized, it is important that the parents contact one of the St. Gabriel priests or deacons as soon as possible.