Reconciliation
Conscience, guilt and forgiveness are part of our human
experience. The first sacrament of forgiveness is Baptism which
washes away all sins of past life but, even after Baptism, we
are imperfect and fail in many ways.
Reconciliation is the sacrament where forgiveness of sins is
given to those who repent and do penance for their sins. It
involves the confession of sins to the priest. The priest then
gives a penance (usually some prayers or a scriptural reading)
and absolution - a declaration of God's forgiveness. Sometimes
we support this Sacrament with a service of Reconciliation where
we celebrate God's love for us.
Jesus gave priests the authority to minister this sacrament and
forgive sins when he said to his disciples: As the Father has
sent me, even so I send you...Receive the Holy Spirit. If you
forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven, if you retain the
sins of any, they are retained. - John 20:21-23
Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion
occurs with children aged 7 (school year 3) and above.
Registration begins during the previous summer with a closing
date in early September. One form registers the child for both
programmes. We have catechists in all three churches so that the
children are prepared and celebrate in the church in which they
are familiar. The sessions for the parents are single events
covering the entire parish in one meeting. Parents are required
to attend these sessions, because the life of faith at home is
essential to the preparation of the child.
The Reconciliation programme takes place in the autumn term and
concludes with services of Reconciliation in Advent and again in
Lent.
The First Holy Communion preparation starts in January and lasts
through to the First Communion Masses in June.