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, 13^th November and will close on Sunday, 18^th 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, 16^th February 2023.

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

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

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

• Lesson 1 – Sunday, 30^th April
• Lesson 2 – Sunday, 7^th May
• Lesson 3 – Sunday, 21^st May
• Lesson 4 – Sunday, 28^th May
• Lesson 5 – Sunday, 4^th 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, 15^th June
• Mass Rehearsal 2 – Thursday, 22^nd June

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

• First Holy Communion Mass 1 – Sunday, 18^th June
• First Holy Communion Mass 2 – Sunday, 25^th 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, 30^th April 2023 and will close on Sunday, 11^th 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, 20^th July

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

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

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

• Friday, 25^th 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.