Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Reconciliation (also referred to as Confession or Penance)
The sacramental celebration in which, through God's mercy and forgiveness, the sinner is reconciled with God and also with the Church, Christ's Body, which is wounded by sin. Catechism of the Catholic Church - Glossary (For more information about this sacrament, look in the Catechism of the Catholic Church #1422-1455, 1468)
Confessions will be heard every Saturday from 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM in the Church. Confessions may also be heard by appointment.
To schedule a confession by appointment, please call the Parish office.
First Reconciliation
Lord God,
Send down Your Holy Spirit upon us.
Strengthen us with your gifts,
That we may teach our children,
By word and example,
The truth which comes from You.
May we lead our children to a closer union with you
Send down Your Holy Spirit upon us.
Strengthen us with your gifts,
That we may teach our children,
By word and example,
The truth which comes from You.
May we lead our children to a closer union with you
As we prepare them to receive the sacraments Of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist.
Give us a steadfast faith,
To bring our families devoutly to Your table,
So that we may possess sanctifying grace
And eternal life in God.
May we have the grace to grow as a community Of faith, life, and love through Christ our Lord.
Give us a steadfast faith,
To bring our families devoutly to Your table,
So that we may possess sanctifying grace
And eternal life in God.
May we have the grace to grow as a community Of faith, life, and love through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Children in the second grade of St. Michael School and Religious Education Program make their First Reconciliation in the winter of every year. For 2023, your child’s First Reconciliation will be Wednesday, March 8th at 6:30 pm, starting in the church.
There will be a brief liturgy and examination of conscience followed by private confessions. Parents are welcome to avail themselves of the Sacrament at this time as well. For confessions, we will line students up at the back (and front) of the church to wait for one of our priests to do their confession. Please refrain from talking while waiting to go to confession and in the sanctuary before and after your child’s confession so that we may maintain quiet reverence for all. Children and parents are asked to spend this quiet time in the presence of Jesus, in prayer. After confession and the student’s penance prayer, the student and parent(s) are welcome to leave the church.
Before First Reconciliation, please review the Form for Confession with your child and help him/her to practice the Act of Contrition. Our ultimate goal is for your child to learn this by heart. The more your child practices the Act of Contrition at home, the more confidence he/she will have during the sacrament.
| The Five Steps of Confession |
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Words to Know
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Sin: When we choose to do wrong and turn away from God's love and the love of those we have hurt. Sin weakens God's gift of grace.
Reconciliation: Also known as Confession or Penance, this means to be united with God again after we have committed sin. Through Reconciliation, our sins are forgiven, and God’s grace in us is strengthened.
Examination of Conscience: We get ready to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation by thinking of the times we have not shown love to God and others (the times we sinned).
Penance: Prayers we say or something we do to make up for our sins (to show our sorrow for our sin).
Absolution: The special prayer said by the priest to forgive our sins.
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