Congratulations to Our 2019 First Communion Class

On Saturday, May 11, children from St. Gertrude made their First Communion. It was a wonderful day filled with happiness and excitement despite the rain and cold.

We thank the parents and families for their unconditional love and support; Father Rich for presiding over the Mass; Emily Davis, Tracy Shields, Ewa Jablonska, and Hillary Foster for their kind instruction and formation; Mary Clare Barker and Kristina Vragovic for the beautiful music; Gail Smith and Sarah Buntin for leading the celebration; Kristen Catuara and the other third grade families that coordinated the cupcake celebration after the Mass; and the parishioners of St. Gertrude for their encouragement and prayers. 

Sacramental preparation is an integral part of the curriculum for children making their First Communion. Students must have completed two full consecutive years of classes either at a Catholic school or by taking Religious Ed before celebrating their First Communion and First Reconciliation. 

First grade is considered the first year of preparation for the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion, and second grade is the second year of sacramental prep. Next year's second graders will receive First Reconciliation and First Communion in the spring of 2020 if they have completed two years of classes. Some third graders who attended Religious Ed for the first time in the 2018-2019 school year will also make their First Communion.

The Religious Education program begins in September and concludes in May. Religious Education classes for the 2019-2020 school year will be held on Sunday mornings from 9:00-10:15 am.   If you’d like to get involved or to learn more, contact Jim Potthast at the Rectory at 773.764.3621 or via email at jpotthast@stgertrudechicago.org.