Confession

Advent Communal Penance Service

We invite you to set aside some time on Wednesday, December 18th at 7:00 PM for our annual Advent Communal Penance Service.

Even if you don’t feel the need to celebrate the Rite of Reconciliation individually on this night, you might want to come simply to find a quiet and prayerful time for yourself in the midst of the sometimes hectic preparations for the days of Christmastime.

Remember that the Sacrament of Penance is also celebrated every Saturday afternoon from 3:00 to 3:45 in one of the confessionals in the rear of church.

Confession

According to Church teaching, 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. However, we are encouraged to receive the Sacrament of Penance frequently, even monthly, throughout our lifetime so that we can benefit from the graces we obtain through reception of this sacrament.

First Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Penance is to precede First Eucharist. Formal instruction for Penance is to be separate and distinct from preparation for the reception of First Eucharist. The value of this practice is to catechize the children, from the age of reason, to the true Christian spirit of penance and conversion, to growth in self-knowledge and self-control, to a true sense of sin, even venial sin, to the necessity of asking pardon from God, and above all to a loving and confident abandonment to the mercy of the Lord. In no circumstances should a child receive First Eucharist without first having received the Sacrament of Penance.