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. 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. 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 To enroll your child in the 2023 Confirmation Sacramental Preparation Program, please complete the online Google form by scanning the following QR code or logging onto https://tinyurl.com/5f7rsxnb 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 (TBC): From 9:30 am to 2:00 pm in the Montefano Hall. Friday, 25th August Reconciliation and Confirmation Mass Rehearsals: From 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm in St Benedict’s Shrine. Ceremony 1 – Tuesday, 10th October Ceremony 2 – Thursday, 12th October Confirmation Mass: In St Benedict’s Shrine on Saturday, 14th October 2023. Ceremony 1 – 12:30 pm Ceremony 2 – 2:30 pm 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 April 2023. Share this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)