The Sacrament of Reconciliation

Thursday 9:15-10am
(Church Confessional)

Friday 7-8pm
(Church Confessional)

Saturday 3:45-4:45pm
(Church Confessional)

“Confession is an act of honesty and courage - an act of entrusting ourselves, beyond sin, to the mercy of a loving and forgiving God.”

— Pope St. John Paul II

What is Confession?

The Sacrament of Penance, also called Confession or Reconciliation, restores us to God’s grace, reconciles us to God, and allows us to join “with him in an intimate friendship”, which has been damaged by the results of our sin (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1468). Not only are we reconciled to God, but also to the Church. The Catechism says, “sin is before all else an offense against God, a rupture of communion with him. At the same time it damages communion with the Church. For this reason conversion entails both God's forgiveness and reconciliation with the Church, which are expressed and accomplished liturgically by the sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation” (CCC, 1440).

 

Jesus calls us to conversion of the heart: to return to God with all of our heart, and to turn from our sin and from evil. Each time we come to the confessional, we put our hope in God’s mercy, trust in his grace, and express our desire to change our lives (CCC, 1431).

If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9

Are you a baptized Catholic who hasn’t received First Confession or First Communion?

 

For Children:

Sacramental preparation and religious formation are necessary for children to receive the Sacrament of Penance.  A two year preparation period is required in the Diocese of Harrisburg.  First Penance is traditionally celebrated in the second grade, between January and March.

However, Sacramental Preparation classes for children, above the second grade, may be held on Sunday morning from 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. and would follow the Religious Education Calendar Schedule.

For additional information, please contact Deacon Richard Ramsey, the Director of Religious Education.

For Adults:

First Confession is received after preparation in our RCIA program, before a participant is received into full communion with the Catholic Church.

Please visit our RCIA page or contact Deacon Richard Ramsey.

 When can I receive Confession?

If the times listed above do not work with your schedule, our priests are also available by appointment.
Do not hesitate to contact one of our priests to schedule a time to receive Christ’s mercy in this sacrament. If you wish to schedule a time to confess anonymously (behind the screen), you may do so by calling the parish office at 717-264-6317 and speaking with the Administrative Assistant.