Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Reconciliation

This sacrament is a sign and experience of God’s unconditional forgiveness.  We are called to be one people united with Christ and one another.  

Unfortunately, in our weakness this unity is often broken through failures to love (i.e. we sin).  But God’s love for us does not stop when we fail.  By expressing our sorrow for our sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we experience forgiveness and healing.   

Our relationship with God and our unity as Church is made whole again.  Reconciliation is offered in two ways in our parish:

First Rite: A one-to-one interaction with the priest, in the reconciliation room (‘confessional’) which is located in the church.  This is held every Saturday afternoon between 4:30pm and 5:15pm or by appointment.

Second Rite: A communal ceremony which also includes a brief one-to-one interaction with the priest as sins are confessed and absolved.  Communal Reconciliation ceremonies (Second Rite) are held before Christmas and Easter and at other times of the year, as publicised in the parish bulletin.

First Reconciliation Program

In our parish, Catholic children make their First Reconciliation once the child has reached Year 2 or above as is the practice in the Archdiocese of Sydney.

They prepare for this through the Children’s Sacramental Program and our program takes place in Term 4 of the school year.  Enrolments for this program are taken in Term 3.  Please see our Sacramental Calendar for more details.

Please note that it is the practice of the Church that children be prepared for this Sacrament before receiving their First Holy Communion.