The Sacrament of Penance & Reconciliation

Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you."  And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the holy Spirit.  Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained."

John 20:21-23

Children who are already baptized and at least seven [7] years old are invited to celebrate the mercy of the God in the sacrament of penance and reconciliation for the first time.

Children gather with their catechists immediately after the 10:00 a.m. Mass for eight weeks in the fall of year for about an hour each time.

Children and parents gather with their catechists one Saturday for several hours of immediate preparation for the celebration of their first penance.

Children celebrate the sacrament of penance for the first time at a penance service during Advent.  Everyone in the parish is invited to celebrate this sacrament with those who are celebrating it for the first time.

The pastoral staff sets the date several months before the celebration.  

The sacrament of penance is celebrated every Saturday from 3:15 p.m. to 3:40 p.m. in the small room at the back of the church with the glass door or by appointment at any time.

Two penance services are scheduled during Advent and Lent of each year.