FIRST COMMUNION & RECONCILIATION AT MARY, GATE OF HEAVEN PARISH
Proof of baptism is required before a student may receive the Eucharist for the first time. Please contact the rectory at 623-2524 to arrange for Baptism for your child if necessary. Contact the Parish Center office at 860-627-9469 if you have questions or concerns concerning your child's Baptismal status. If your child has been baptized at some parish other than St. Mary / St. Robert or in a Protestant church, please bring in your child's baptismal certificate so that we can make a copy.

First Communion students must attend classes and regular attendance at Mass is expected. Parents are encouraged to take an active role in the preparation of their child for the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist.

Grade 2 families have a special Mass each month at St. Mary Church (schedule to be announced). There are also 3-4 parent meetings during the school year. Parental involvement is very important for Grade 2 as it is essential that the children be well-prepared for First Communion, which is scheduled in May. Grade 1 is also part of the First Communion preparation. 

All communications about the First Communion program and schedule changes are through the parish bulletin. If you do not attend Mass at Mary, Gate of Heaven Parish you may miss out on important information about your child's First Communion. Any child who misses a class for any reason is expected to attend makeup class on dates to be determined by Mrs. Stratton.  Only children who have missed class due to illness or other unavoidable circumstances are eligible to attend make-up classes. Sports and cheerleading are NOT acceptable reasons to miss classes, and children who have a firm commitment to a sports program on class days are invited to wait until Grade 3 to receive the sacraments. If a child has missed too many classes they will have to be tutored by Mrs. Stratton before they can receive the sacraments. Such families will be notified. First Confession (Reconciliation) is held on a Tuesday or Wednesday in early February along with a special prayer service. First Communion is held each year on the day before Mothers' Day if circumstances allow.

CONFIRMATION
The sacrament of Confirmation is held at Saint Joseph Cathedral in Hartford for students who have completed Grade 8 & 9 Religious Education classes and have passed a test on their Catholic faith. Before being confirmed students must attend a day of retreat (usually held during the week before Confirmation) and complete an interview with one of the parish priests. Other requirements include completion of 15 hours of approved community service (5 hours of parish service and 10 hours of community service)..