When We Celebrate

Saturday - 3:00pm - St. Mary
Saturday - After Mass - St. Joseph
Other - You may also celebrate the sacrament by appointment.

About the Sacrament

"But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins he then said to the paralytic, 'Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.' He rose and went home. When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to human beings" ~Matthew 9:6-8.

Jesus Christ had the authority to forgive sins on earth and he gave this authority to his apostles when he said "As the Father has sent me, so I send you." "And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them receive the Holy Spirit whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained" (John 20:21-23.) "Only priests who have received the faculty of absolving from the authority of the Church can forgive sins in the name of Christ" (CCC 1495).

"The whole power of the sacrament of Reconciliation consists in restoring us to God's grace and joining us with him in an intimate friendship." (Roman Catechism) "Reconciliation with God is thus the purpose and effect of this sacrament." (CCC 1468)
 

Preparation

In order to make a good confession an Examination of Conscience is helpful in bringing to mind the times we have sinned against God. Begin with an opening prayer such as: Lord, hear my prayer as I examine my conscience, asking for your merciful help. I know that you desire to forgive me for I am helpless to save myself. May I always remember the goodness you want to see in me in imitation of Your Son Who died to save me from my sins. Amen. We can examine our conscience in light of the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, and the 7 capital sins which are pride, avarice, envy, wrath, lust, gluttony, and sloth.
 

First Reconciliation

Children need to attend Religious Education classes or Catholic school for both 1st and 2nd grades. Sacramental Preparation Classes will begin in the 2nd grade to directly prepare them for this sacrament. Children starting after 1st grade will need to complete one year of Religious Education or Catholic school before beginning Sacramental preparation. If not baptized at the parish, a copy of the candidate's baptismal certificate is required.