The Sacrament of Penance/ Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Penance/ Reconciliation is first celebrated prior to receiving first Eucharist/ first Holy Communion. We are born and in Baptism we are received into God’s family. We are connected in friendship and in love as members of God’s family. Sometimes we do things that hurt others or we fail to do things that might truly help others. Thus, we become disconnected from friendship and love with God, ourselves and others. We forget the message that Jesus gave us: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your strength, and love your neighbour as yourself.’ When we choose to reconnect with God’s friendship and love, we know that God our Father is ready to forgive us when we say sorry. The Risen Jesus brings us back to God’s friendship and helps us to be reconciled with God and others. ‘Each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year.’