Reconciliation
St. Mary's Toukley
Saturday - 9:30 - 10:00am (after Mass)
St Brendan's Lake Munmorah
Saturday- 4.30 - 5.00pm (before Mass)
**Note: You may also call our Parish Office 02 8379 1730 by appointment for other times.
Reconciliation/Confession
Traditionally this sacrament was called the Sacrament of Penance. It reflects metanoia, which is translated as penance and denotes a change of heart or repentance.
Pope St John Paul II described this sacrament as a personal encounter with Jesus Christ and a part of the mission of the Church to be reconciled and a reconciling community. He added that the primary effect of this sacrament is the forgiveness of sins. Its secondary effect is growth in holiness.
Pope Francis's teaching on the same sacrament observes that forgiveness of our sins is something we cannot give to ourselves. One cannot say I forgive myself my sins. Forgiveness is asked, it is asked for another. In confession it is asked from Jesus. Forgiveness is not the fruit of our efforts but the efforts of the Holy Spirit.
The Sacrament of Penance exists for people who commit sin after baptism. Vatican II teaches that those who approach the sacrament of penance obtain pardon through God’s mercy for the offences committed towards him. They are at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded with their sins and which by charity, example and prayer labours for their conversion.
Sacrament of First Reconciliation
According to the church’s command, after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an Reconciliation obligation faithfully to confess serious sins. In this parish children in Year 4 are eligible to make their First Reconciliation.
Structure of the Sacramental Program
The current order of reception of the Sacraments in the Diocese of Broken Bay is Baptism, Confirmation, First Reconciliation and First Eucharist (First Communion).
The preparation program for each sacrament is a parish based program and is structured in such a way that parents and children spend quality time with each other in preparation to receive the sacrament.
They are designed to be facilitated in small groups and your Parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Toukley/Lake Munmorah assists with your child’s preparation, by providing the reading material, workbooks, and facilitators to assist you and your children to prepare worthily to receive the sacraments.
For the Sacrament of Reconciliation, candidates and their parents (where applicable) are required to enrol and attend all preparation sessions prior to receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation and must have already received the Sacrament of Confirmation.
If you wish to be a facilitator for any of the sacraments, or have any concerns, or difficulties, please do not hesitate to speak with Fr Tomy at any time or contact the parish office 4396 4455.
Enrolment for First Reconciliation 2024
Enrolments for First Reconciliation is NOW OPEN until 9 February 2024 via www.trybooking.com. There are three ways for you to enrol your child/ren:
(1) Use the QR Code found at the end of this content (scroll down),
(2) Click this link to direct you to the website Sacrament of Reconciliation 2024, or
(3) go to the website of https://www.trybooking.com/ and type Reconciliation 2024 in the Search Event Name box.
The online enrolment process allows parents/carers to choose a suitable date/time for the preparation sessions. These sessions will commence 19 February 2024.
There are six preparation classes to choose:
Mondays at 4:00- 5:00pm, St. Mary's
Mondays at 6:00- 7:00pm, St. Mary's
Tuesdays at 4:30- 5:30pm, St. Mary's
Wednesdays at 3:30- 4:30pm, St. Brendan's
Thursdays at 7:45- 8:20am, St. Brendan's
Thursdays at 3:00- 4:00pm, St. Brendan's
Parents/carers and enrolled Children need to attend all 4 chosen preparation sessions, and complete the workbook during/following each session, for your child to be adequately prepared to receive this sacrament.
Parents/ Careers are expected to attend any of the available schedule for the Information Session:
13 February 2024 at 3:30pm, St. Brendan's Church
15 February 2024 at 3:30pm OR 7:00pm, St. Mary's Church
Parents and children are encouraged to attend any of the Masses particularly during the preparation program where Special Ritual of the Cross will be held at:
St Brendan's Church, Lake Munmorah:
2 March 2024 at 5:00pm Vigil Mass
3 March 2024 at 8:00am Sunday Mass
St Mary's Church, Toukley:
2 March 2024 at 6:00pm Vigil Mass
3 March 2024 at 9:00am Sunday Mass
*Please advise the priest of your attendance prior to Mass.
Reconciliation Ceremony:
20 March 2024 at St, Brendan's Church, 3:30pm
21 March 2024 at St. Mary's Church, 3:30pm
*The cost of the program is $30 per child, or $40 per family. The enrolment fee covers the cost of resources and administrative expenses associated with the Sacramental program. If you are unable to pay at this time, please speak with Fr. Tomy or our Sacramental Coordinator. No child will be excluded for financial reasons.
If you have any questions, please contact the Sacramental Coordinator by phone on 4396 4455 or email toukleyparish@bbcatholic.org.au.
