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

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.

 

2023 Sacrament Dates

 
FIRST RECONCILIATION & FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAM

Children in 2023 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 Sunday, 13th November and will close on Sunday, 18th December 2022.

Google Enrolment Form
To enrol your child in the 2023 First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion Sacramental Preparation Program, please complete the online form by scanning the following QR code or logging onto  https://tinyurl.com/3zfheh5r

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

 

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, 16th February 2023.

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

  • Lesson 1 – Sunday, 5th March
  • Lesson 2 – Sunday, 12th March
  • Lesson 3 – Sunday, 19th March
  • Lesson 4 – Sunday, 26th March

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

  • Lesson 1 – Sunday, 30th April
  • Lesson 2 – Sunday, 7th May
  • Lesson 3 – Sunday, 21st May
  • Lesson 4 – Sunday, 28th May
  • Lesson 5 – Sunday, 4th June

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

  • Thursday, 8th June

First Holy Communion Mass Rehearsals:
From 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm in St Benedict’s Shrine

  • Mass Rehearsal 1 – Thursday, 15th June
  • Mass Rehearsal 2 – Thursday, 22nd June

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

  • First Holy Communion Mass 1 – Sunday, 18th June
  • First Holy Communion Mass 2 – Sunday, 25th June

 

CONFIRMATION PROGRAM

Children in 2023 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 Sunday, 30th April 2023 and will close on Sunday, 11th June 2023.

Google Enrolment Form
Available on Sunday, 30th April 2023

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, 20th July

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

  • Lesson 1 – Sunday, 30th July
  • Lesson 2 – Sunday, 6th August
  • Lesson 3 – Sunday, 13th August
  • Lesson 4 – Sunday, 20th August

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

  • Friday, 25th August

Second Rite of Reconciliation:
From 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm in St Benedict’s Shrine
* Date still to be confirmed

Confirmation Mass Rehearsals:
From 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm in St Benedict’s Shrine
* Dates still to be confirmed

Confirmation Mass:
From 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm in St Benedict’s Shrine
* Date still to be confirmed by the Archdiocese of Sydney Chancery

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 November 2022.