Availability
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available every Saturday from 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm in the main Church or any time by appointment. Parish penance services are also offered twice a year, one during Advent and another during Lent.
The children in our religious education program celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time prior to receiving their First Holy Communion in the second grade, or after having completed two years of religious instruction.
Parishioners who are homebound and would like to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation are asked to call the rectory to schedule a visit from a parish priest.
Theology and Practice
According to the Church’s command, after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year. Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having first received sacramental absolution, unless he or she has a grave reason for receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession. Children must go to the sacrament of Penace before receiving Holy Communion for the first time (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1457)
The whole power of the Sacrament of Penance consists in restoring us to God’s grace and joining us with Him in intimate friendship. Reconciliation with God is thus the purpose and effect of this sacrament. For those who receive the Sacrament of Penance with contrite heart and religous disposition, reconciliation is usually followed by peace and serenity of conscience with strong consolation (CCC 1468).