Reconciliation, also known as Confession or Penance, offers us an opportunity to heal our relationship with God damaged by willful acts that are contrary to, and violate, His Love for us. It can be the impetus to heal our relationships with others who have been hurt by our words or actions. 

We often use the phrase, “going to Confession” to describe our actions with respect to this Sacrament. Confessions are held every Saturday from 2:00pm to 3:30pm and by appointment in the Church. Private confessions can be arraigned by calling the Administrator and scheduling an appointment. During the reception of the Sacrament, we confess our sins to God through the priest, who then forgives us by God’s mercy and encourages us to live a more faithful life through forgiveness or absolution. Our acceptance of a penance, saying a few prayers or performing an act of kindness, demonstrates our sorrow for our sins and our commitment to our newly healed spiritual life. Will we always succeed in our “new Life”? Probably not, we are only human, not perfect but, God is always ready to forgive us if we ask Him. 

Examples of forgiveness can be found throughout Sacred Scripture, and especially in the teachings of Jesus. The most frequently cited ones are in the prayer that Jesus taught us: “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us” and his dying words, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do”. 

Children who are preparing for First Communion receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time in the second grade before receiving Holy Communion for the first time. Parents and other family members are encouraged to attend and perhaps renew their own journey back to God.