Reconciliation

First Reconciliation

For those wishing to enrol your children for the Sacrament of First Reconciliation, please download and complete the ENROLMENT FORM

 For information including dates and details for this year's Reconciliation programme, please download the 2022 Sacramental Programme RECONCILIATION

reconciliation book

 Other enquiries can be made through the Parish Office.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation

The Lord is kind and full of compassion, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love — Psalm 145:8

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is one of two sacraments of healing (the other being the Anointing of the Sick). Reconciliation is a sacrament of forgiveness and celebrates God’s love and mercy towards us. It is about acknowledging and naming those times when we know we have done wrong, and then making peace and restoring the relationships with God, with ourselves and with those who have been affected by our poor choices.

Reconciliation involves the individual acknowledging their sins and receiving the forgiveness of God through the ministry of the priest. Through this process, a person is reconciled with the Church, renews his or her Baptism, and is sent out renewed to continues to live as a disciple of Jesus.

The forgiveness of sins committed after Baptism is conferred by a particular sacrament called the sacrament of conversion, confession, penance or reconciliation. (CCC 1486)

Individual and integral confession of grave sins followed by absolution remains the only ordinary means of reconciliation with God and with the Church. (CCC 1497)

 

Resources for Coming to the Sacrament of Reconciliation

Click the links to download a pocket sized card you can print and bring with you to the sacrament to help step you through the Rite of Reconciliation.

Reconciliation Fold Card  for Adults  - The First Rite of Reconciliation in steps, plus an  Examination of Conscience.

Reconciliation Fold Card  for Kids - A simple step by step through the Process of Reconciliation. 

reco fold cards 

 

Main Steps of Making Your Reconciliation

    • Examine your conscience - deeply and honestly reflect on your circumstances and your choices in life.

    • Be sincerely sorry for your sins - a true and contrite heart is necessary to partaking fully in the Sacrament.

    • Confess your sins freely and directly - trust the priest and trust in God's mercy. 

    • Resolve to amend your life and make amends where possible.

    • Do the penance the priest assigns as an act of commitment to your renewed life.

Examination of Conscience

“Whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”  Philippians 4:8

Love of God

  • Have I loved God above all else, or have I allowed other things: money, popularity, image or success to motivate me and have primary place in my heart?
  • Have I been faithful in my commitment to daily prayer and reading Scripture or religious magazines  to nourish my relationship with God?
  • Am I growing in understanding my faith?
  • Do I keep Sunday set apart?
  • Have I attended Mass faithfully and reverently?
  • Have I rested from my usual work?
  • Have I shown disrespect for God’s name by using it in anger or frustration?
  • Do I look upon God’s church and His laws with respect and gratitude?

Love of Neighbour

  • Do I hold anger, resentment, or hatred toward anyone?
  • Is there anyone of whom I need to ask forgiveness?
  • Is there anyone I need to forgive?
  • Have I yielded to anger and spoken hurtful or damaging words towards others ?
  • Do I envy the lives of others or their material possessions or talents?
  • Have I taken what is not rightfully mine? Have I cheated on my income taxes, or stolen anything? Do I need to make restitution?
  • Have I cheated or lied? Have I sought to protect my reputation at the expense of others?
  • Do I gossip? Have I spread false rumours about others?
  • Do I need to repent of any sins against purity? Have I tried to control my thoughts or given in to fantasies or lust? Have I treated others as objects and not persons valued by God?
  • Do I love the poor and do what I can to help, even if it means sacrifice on my part?
  • Do I treat all I meet  with the respect and dignity of a child of God?
  • What is my attitude to parents, teachers, employers, and all legitimate authority?
  • Have I shown appropriate honour and respect?
  • Is your own conscience reminding you of other sins in your life against God, your neighbour or yourself?

Prayer Before Confession

O Lord, grant me your light to see myself as you see me and the grace to be truly sorry for my sins.

In the Reconciliation Room

    • The Priest will Welcome you to the Sacrament.
    • You begin with the Sign of the cross.
    • You then confess your sins - it is important to name the things that most separate you from God, these will come to mind during your examination of conscience.
    • When you have finished telling your sins, you can say something like: "For these sins and all my sins I am truly sorry."
    • The priest may give advice, assigns your penance, and asks you to say an Act of Contrition.
    • The priest will them offer the prayer of Absolution. 
    • Afterwards - perform the penance assigned by the priest.

An Act of Contrition

O my God, I am sorry that I have sinned against you, because you are so good, and with your help I will not sin again.

Reconciliation Schedule

Reconciliation is available in our church is on Saturday from 8.30am to 10am. 

Or contact the parish office to make an appointment.