St. Gabriel Catholic Church at 3016 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28211 US - RECONCILIATION

The Catholic Sacrament of Reconciliation (also known as the Sacrament of Penance, or Penance and Reconciliation) has three elements: conversion, confession and celebration. In it we find God's unconditional forgiveness, and as a result we are called to forgive others (from www.americancatholic.org). 

This sacrament is celebrated at St. Gabriel Catholic Church every Saturday, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.  The Confessionals--which offer the penatent the option of face-to-face or anonymous (screened) confession--are located in the hallway to the left of the narthex.  Reconciliation can also be celebrated by making an appointment with one of our priests, by calling 704-362-5047.  Fr. Frank can be reached at extension 206; Fr. Luis is at extension 208.

Penance Services are celebrated during Advent and Lent.  The service dates and times are announced in the bulletin and on this website as they become available.

St. Gabriel's Advent Penance Service is scheduled for Thursday, December 18 at 7 p.m. in the church.

1st RECONCILIATION
Second grade students in St. Gabriel Faith Formation and St. Gabriel School classes are currently preparing to receive 1st Reconciliation.  

The children and their parents should be working through their workbooks, The Forgiveness of the Lord, and complete the book prior to the 1st Reconciliation penance service.  

Children and at least one of their parents MUST attend one of the Reconciliation workshops/retreats scheduled for Tuesday, January 13 AND Tuesday, January 20 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Parish Center/St. Gabriel School cafeteria.  

The 1st Reconciliation Penance Service will be held on Tuesday, January 27th at 6:30 p.m. in St. Gabriel Church.  Following a brief discussion, the Act of Contrition (see below) will be said by the congregation.  Confessions by the CHILDREN ONLY will follow. Children and their families are welcome to leave once they have completed their individual confessions and penance.  This service has traditionally lasted approximately 1 1/2 hours, total.

There are various versions of The Act of Contrition prayer, but the one that is taught to the 2nd grade students in both Faith Formation and St. Gabriel School classes is the one that will be said at the penance service.  It is as follows:

Oh my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You.
I detest all my sins because of your just punishments,
But most of all, because I have offended You, my God,
Who are good are deserving of all my love.

I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace,
To confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life.
Amen.

For more information about the 2nd grade 1st Reconciliation program, contact Laura Rice at 704-362-5047, ext. 228 or at Lrice@stgabrielchurch.org.

Preparation for 1st Reconciliation for older students enrolled in CIC 2 (Christian Initiation for Children, year 2) program is coordinated separately.  Contact Trish Stewart at 704-362-5047, ext. 219 or at tstewart@stgabrielchurch.org for more information.