Forgiven and reconciled
The Sacrament of Penance — the rite by which sins are confessed and forgiven.
The Sacrament of Penance is also known as the "Sacrament of Reconciliation" or, traditionally, "Confession". It is the rite by which sins are confessed and forgiven. Sin is failure to recognise and love God in the way we think or act — and also a failure to love one another, the "community sense of sin".
Absolution
In this sacrament people are forgiven their sins by the words and actions of the priest. The priest represents God and the community affected by sin, and ministers forgiveness on their behalf.
How it is celebrated
The sacrament can be celebrated one-to-one with a priest (individual confession), or communally in Penitential Services at special times such as Advent, Lent, and Parish Missions.
Penance
Penance is a sign of sorrow and a commitment to try to make amends — a sign of our sincerity to change our lives. This is what is meant by conversion.
A prayer of sorrow
"O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of Thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen."
First Confession 2027
Children of the parish prepare for their First Confession through the school programme in partnership with families and the parish. Please contact the Parish Office for more information.