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Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Reconciliation
Our mandatory First Reconciliation Parent meeting will be held on
September 30, 2024 at 6:30 pm in Saint Hilary Church.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation(also known as Penance and Confession) is an experience of the gift of God’s boundless mercy. Not only does it free us from our sins but it also challenges us to have compassion and forgiveness for those who sin against us. We are liberated to be forgivers. We obtain new insight into the words of the Prayer of St. Francis: “It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.”
The mercy and forgiveness gained in Reconciliation can be extended in our families and children. For children, we introduce the concept of sin within the context of understanding the nature of their relationship with God.
God will show mercy on us if we are truly sorry for what we do. We tell them about His boundless mercy and how we can be a part of it. We make sure to tell them we must be like God in granting mercy to those who have wronged us. Mercy is a tough concept for the children to understand but we hope, with your help as their parents, we can show them Mercy is the greatest gift God has given us.They learn about this loving relationship through their experiences of family and of friendship. Through these experiences and stories about Jesus’ special love of them, young children begin to understand the complexity of sin and the importance of His love for us.
Reconciliation is celebrated for the first timein Grade 2 after students have attended two years of Faith formation instruction and have attended Sacramental prep classes. In keeping with Family Catechesis, families will work through lessons of Sadlier’s Sacramental prep program for Reconciliation. These books will be handed out at our Parent meeting on September 30, 2024 and will be turned in at the Family Catechesis sessions in December. Children will be required to attend a First Reconciliation Retreat in January and celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time in February 2025.
To have your child receive First Reconciliation at Catholic Partner Parishes, families must- Be enrolled in Our Family Catechesis Program.
- If your family is enrolled is a different parish faith formation program and you wish for your child to receive their sacraments at Partner Parishes, please contact the Faith Formation Office.
- Have attend two years of religious instruction (grade 1 and grade 2).
- Provide a copy of your child’s baptism certificate at registration.
- Attend the First Reconciliation Parent meeting on September 30, 2024.
- Complete all Sacrament assignments and attend First Reconciliation retreat.
If you have questions, please contact:
Faith Formation Office
Beth Mayer
Family Catechesis Coordinator
Nature of Fire Evangelization
[email protected]
724-225-1425 x308 SJP
724-209-1370 x412 SKDP