Penance

The Sacrament of Reconciliation

God does not want to punish us for our sins. However, when we sin, we make the conscious decision to separate ourselves from God. That is why God in His mercy gave us the Sacrament of Reconciliation (also called Penance or Confession), so that we could be reconciled to him and to the people whom we have hurt through our actions.

All of the Sacraments are gifts given to us by God for our own benefit. God does not need the Sacrament of Reconciliation to forgive us, but as humans, it is part of our nature to need to confess and say aloud what we have done in order to be truly sorry for it. In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we are given the assurance and consolation that our sins are truly forgiven when the priest tells us, after hearing all that we have done, "Your sins are forgiven, go in peace." Truly, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is a great gift!

If you or your child needs to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time, please contact: [email protected]

How do you go to Confession?
If it has been a while since you've been to Confession, don't worry! The priest will be more than happy to help guide you through it. Remember, there is no shame in going to Confession because we have all sinned. In fact, there is great rejoicing when you enter the confessional, like the Prodigal Son returning home, showing that you desire to be in a relationship with God.

If you are wondering what to expect or how to prepare for Confession, view this resource