Sacramental Program

The Sacraments are a key part of church life and are celebrated within our Parish church community. Each year St Gertrude’s Parish offers a special program to help candidates and families prepare for the celebration of the Sacraments of First Reconciliation (Confession), First Holy Communion (Eucharist), and Confirmation. This programme is open to all children of eligible age living within the parish boundaries, regardless of which school they attend.
Candidates are eligible to prepare for and celebrate the Sacraments of:

• First Reconciliation in Grade 3 and above (click here)
• First Holy Communion (Eucharist) in Grade 3 and above (click here)
• Confirmation in Grade 6 and above (click here)

If parents at any stage, are concerned that their child is not ready to receive the sacraments in the above mentioned classes, then it is their prerogative, after suitable discussion, to have their child wait until the next appropriate sacrament intake.

At St Gertrude’s Parish, candidates are usually prepared for the First Reconciliation in Term 1, First Holy Communion in Term 2 and Confirmation in Term 3.

Our Sacramental Preparation Program places a strong emphasis on family involvement, because we recognise that parents/guardians are the main educators of their children in the faith.

Sacramental Program

Intensive Preparation for each Sacrament is undertaken over four-eight weeks in weekly 1.5 hour sessions. Before each sacrament, a rehearsal is held to familiarize the children with their special role as they participate in each sacramental liturgy. It is also the practice for each Candidate to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation before receiving the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion.

This preparation is designed not only to prepare the candidates receiving the Sacrament, but also to involve and inform the parents and other family members, so that the experience can be shared as part of the family’s faith journey.

 

2026 Sacrament Dates

FIRST RECONCILIATION & FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAM
Children in 2026 who are enrolled in Year 3 and above, who have been Baptised in the Catholic Church, are eligible to enrol in the combined First Reconciliation/First Communion Sacramental Preparation Program.

Enrolment Period:
Enrolments will open on Saturday, 1st November 2025 and will close on Friday, 20th February 2026.

Enrolling More than One Child:
If enrolling more than one child, please complete an online form for each child.

Google Enrolment Form:
To enrol your child in the 2026 First Reconciliation/First Holy Communion Sacramental Preparation Program, please complete the online Google form by scanning the following QR code or logging onto https://tinyurl.com/mr2ep8wk

Important Dates:
Parent Information Night for the First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion:
From 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the Montefano Hall.
Only one adult per family to attend.
Please do not bring the children to the meeting.

• Thursday, 26th February 2026

Reconciliation Lessons:
From 8:45 am to 10:15 am in the Montefano Hall.

• Lesson 1 – Sunday, 1st March
• Lesson 2 – Sunday, 8th March
• Lesson 3 – Sunday, 15th March
• Lesson 3 – Sunday, 22nd March

First Holy Communion Lessons:
From 8:45 am to 10:15 am in the Montefano Hall.

• Lesson 1 – Sunday, 3rd May
• No Lesson – Sunday, 10th May
• Lesson 2 – Sunday, 17th May
• Lesson 3 – Sunday, 24th May
• Lesson 4 – Sunday, 31st May

Sacrament of First Reconciliation:
From 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm in St Benedict’s Shrine

• Thursday, 11th June

First Holy Communion Mass Rehearsals:
From 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm in St Benedict’s Shrine

• Mass Rehearsal 1 – Tuesday, 16th June
• Mass Rehearsal 2 – Tuesday, 23rd June

First Holy Communion Mass:
From 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm in St Benedict’s Shrine

• First Holy Communion Mass 1 – Sunday, 21st June
• First Holy Communion Mass 2 – Sunday, 28th June

 

 

 
CONFIRMATION PROGRAM

Children in 2026 who are enrolled in Year 6 and above, who have been Baptised in the Catholic Church and have received the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion are eligible to enrol in the Confirmation Program.

Confirmation Enrolment Period
Enrolments will open on Saturday, 2^nd May 2026 and will close on Friday, 17^th July 2026.

Google Enrolment Form:
To enrol your child in the 2026 Confirmation Sacramental Preparation Program, please complete the online Google form by scanning the following QR code or logging onto https://tinyurl.com/2026-Confirmation-Form

 

Important Dates:

Parent Information Night for Confirmation:
From 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the Montefano Hall.
Only one adult per family to attend. Please do not bring the children to the meeting.

• Thursday, 23^rdJuly

Confirmation Lessons:
From 8:45 am to 10:15 am in the Montefano Hall.

• Lesson 1 – Sunday, 2^ndAugust
• Lesson 2 – Sunday, 9^thAugust
• Lesson 3 – Sunday, 16^thAugust
• Lesson 4 – Sunday, 23^rdAugust

Confirmation Retreat Day:
From 9:30 am to 2:00 pm in the Montefano Hall.

• Friday, 28^thAugust

Reconciliation and Confirmation Mass Rehearsals:

From 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm in St Benedict’s Shrine.

• Thursday, 17^th September

Confirmation Mass:
In St Benedict’s Shrine on Saturday, 19^th September at 12:30pm with Bishop Richard Umbers.

 

Enquiries:
Please contact Jodie Micallef in the Sacramental Office by emailing
sacraments@stgertrude.org.au or
phone 0412 804 465 to leave a message.

 

Information updated January 2026