Reconciliation

Reconciliation: Wednesdays from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm Saturdays from 2:30pm-3:30pm in the Chapel (parishioners may wait in the Church) or by appointment. 

The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation (commonly called Confession, Reconciliation or Penance) is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, in which the faithful obtain divine mercy for the sins committed against God and neighbor and are reconciled with the community of the Church.  The intent of this sacrament is to provide healing for the soul as well, as to regain the grace of God, lost by sin. 

Only God forgives sins.  Since Jesus is the Son of God, He says of himself, "The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" and exercises this divine power: "Your sins are forgiven." Further, by virtue of His divine authority, He gave this power to the apostles to exercise in his name.

“ And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” (John 20:22-23)

In imparting to His apostles His own power to forgive sins, the Lord also gives them the authority, to reconcile sinners with the Church.   Thus the role of the priest is as a minister of Christ’s mercy.  He acts in persona Christi. 

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 and always before receiving Holy Communion. 

By more frequently receiving God's mercy through this Sacrament, we are spurred to be merciful as Jesus is merciful.  The regular and more frequent confession of sins allows ourselves to be healed by Christ, and grow in the life of the Spirit.