Penance
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The sacrament of Reconciliation is a rich opportunity to celebrate God’s healing, pardon and love.
It is a time to confess – to proclaim aloud – God’s tender mercy, more than merely focusing on our own shortcomings. The sacrament is sometimes known as Confession or Penance, but those titles only focus on one aspect or another of the greater grace-filled reality of being fully reconciled with God.
The sacrament of Reconciliation is available every Saturday beginning at 4 p.m. until the last person leaves. Anyone also can schedule an appointment with our priest during the week. During Advent and Lent, we have a community celebration of Reconciliation. Please call the parish office for date and time.
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Receiving Reconciliation for the First Time
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Preparation to celebrate Reconciliation and Eucharist is a two-year journey of faith for children, beginning usually when the children are in second grade. (Adults wishing to celebrate Reconciliation for the first time would inquire in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). This is part of our Faith Formation program for children’s religious education. Classes are part of the weekly studies during the school year. Children study to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation during their first year of sacramental preparation, and prepare to receive the sacrament of Eucharist during their second year.
During this time, it is expected that the children and their families are coming to Mass every Sunday, since Mass is a vital part of their faith formation and sacramental preparation, to know what they will be doing. There will be special sessions for parents, too, during the year, to help their children prepare for each sacrament.
For more information or to register, please contact our Faith Formation office at (805) 924-1728 or email at [email protected].
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