The Catholic Sacrament of Reconciliation (also known as the Sacrament of Penance, or Penance and Reconciliation) has three elements: conversion, confession and celebration. In it we find God’s unconditional forgiveness, and as a result we are called to forgive others.
The sacrament of Reconciliation is a sacrament of healing which “brings about a true ‘spiritual resurrection,’ restoration of the dignity and blessings of the life of the children of God, of which the most precious is the friendship with God” (CCC 1468). Children first receive this sacrament during the winter of their second grade year, prior to First Communion. Parents share, with their child’s religion teacher, the responsibility of preparing their children for the reception of this and all sacraments. A mandatory First Reconciliation workshop is held to assist parents in preparing their child for reception of Reconciliation. The date for this event can be found on the yearly calendar. Notice of this workshop will be sent to all parents of second graders and will be announced in the weekly bulletin.