† SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION (CONFESSION)

Saturday: 4:00-4:50 pm and 7:30-8:00 pm or by appointment

The Sacrament of Penance, commonly called Confession, was instituted by Jesus Christ himself on Easter Sunday, when Christ first appeared to the apostles after his Resurrection. Breathing on them, he said: “Receive the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained” John 20:22.

Our Catholic Church treasures the sacrament of reconciliation. When we regret what we've done wrong, we may confess our sins to God through the ministry of a priest. As a result, many Catholics experience profound peace, acceptance, forgiveness and freedom from the burden of their sins.

Private reconciliation is available every Saturday from 4:00-4:50 pm and 7:30-8:00 pm, or a priest will generally arrange to meet with you if the appointed times prove inconvenient. During Advent and Lent we offer a communal celebration of penance.

If you're Catholic and you'd like to celebrate reconciliation, here's what to do:

Prayerfully recall your sins. Some will be obvious actions. Some may be a pattern of behavior. The penitential rite at mass offers a simple guide for reflection…"In my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do."

Go to confession. Visit when the priest is in the reconciliation room at church, or make an appointment. You may either kneel anonymously behind a screen, or sit in a chair where you speak face to face. You and the priest may greet each other. Make the sign of the cross. He may urge you to have confidence in God. You may indicate the interval since your last confession or anything else that will help.

Confess your sins. Some penitents begin with a formula like, "Bless me, Father, for I have sinned." But you don't have to. Let the priest know your sins. If you like, you may discuss the sins you're confessing, so the priest can give you some spiritual direction. However, reconciliation is not a counseling session.  You can make an appointment with a priest for further dialogue.

Receive a penance. The priest will recommend some action after you leave, to indicate to God the sincerity in your heart and set your feet on the right path. Usually he suggests prayer or an  act of service or self-denial.

Pray for forgiveness. The priest may invite you to say a prayer of sorrow aloud. If you remember the Act of Contrition you may use it. A copy of the Act of Contrition is in the reconciliation room. But you may also speak simply from your heart. Just tell God you're sorry and you'll try to do better.

Receive absolution. This is the best part. The priest proclaims absolution, and God forgives your sins.  You have a fresh start, and strength for the journey founded in the unconditional love and mercy of God.  
 

I’d like to prepare my child for first reconciliation

I am an adult who has never been to reconciliation/confession

I’d like to schedule an appointment with a priest for reconciliation

I have been away from the sacraments and need some guidance