Dear Parent/Guardian:

I am excited to announce the format for First Penance and First Holy Communion preparation for this catechetical year.  If your child is between the ages of seven and twelve and has not yet received these sacraments, please read this email carefully.  If your child has received these sacraments, then please disregard this message.

Last year, Archangel Gabriel Parish began to move away from grade specific reception of sacraments, so now receiving First Penance and First Holy Communion is no longer something that automatically happens in second grade.  Instead, parents of children ages seven to twelve may decide when to enroll their child in immediate preparation for the sacraments.  Preparation sessions take place outside of typical religious instruction (Family Catechesis, Archangel Gabriel Regional School, or home schooling) and are for the child preparing for the sacrament AND at least one parent/guardian.  As the primary educator of their child in the faith, it is important that parents are accompanying their child through sacrament preparation and are able to support and guide them.  This is why parents also attend the sessions. 

There will be two prep sessions for First Penance and two prep sessions for First Holy Communion.  Each session will be offered twice, once in-person and once virtually, and families may choose which of the two offerings to attend.  After each session, the child and parent will complete an “at home sharing activity” together.  The session dates are as follows:

You are invited to the parent meeting taking place on Wednesday, November 10 at 7:00 PM via Zoom.  At this meeting we will be discussing preparation for and the celebration of First Penance and First Holy Communion.  The Zoom information is below.

Meeting ID: 885 0171 8554

Passcode: Jesus

 

I will keep your family in my prayers as you begin this new part of your faith journey.  If you need assistance, please reach out to me at sswank@archangelgabrielparish.org.  May God bless you!