Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God's mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion.
A child who has been baptized Catholic before the age of 7 years should begin to prepare for the reception of the Eucharist in his/her 7th or 8th year. The Dioceses of Dallas requires that before any child may begin First Reconciliation and First Eucharist preparation, they must have at least one full year in formal Religious Formation, not including a preschool or kindergarten class. Evidence of a child’s baptism in another parish, and of their attendance in formal Religious Education is required of any child not baptized or catechized in this parish.
First Reconciliation Preparation is held during the fall semester of the year. Children are prepared for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which will occur in December of 2012. The program is designed so that the parents continue the work of the catechists by supplementing the material at home with their child. The children’s class program focuses on introducing the children to the Catholic community, priests, becoming comfortable in the reconciliation chapel, learning the actual rite of reconciliation, and processing a group of well told stories with moral implications for their level of understanding.
Reconciliation Related Important Dates
Dates for First Reconciliation 2012 will be posted in June 2012
Why do we confess our sins to a priest? Confessing our sins helps us take responsibility for our actions. Only God forgives sin, but the priest acts as God’s minister by listening tour confession, giving us a penance and encouraging us to avoid sin in the future. The priest may never tell anyone what he hears in the confessional. (Catechism, #1455-1456, 1467) How to Go to Confession Prepare to go to confession with a careful examination of conscience. Recall the Commandments of God, the Precepts of the Church and the duties of the particular state in life. Silent reflection should be accompanied by prayer especially to the Holy Spirit, and Scripture reading. After you have thought about your sins and made a firm commitment, asking for God’ help, not to sin again, enter the Confessional. Those who approach the sacrament of Reconciliation obtain pardon from God’s mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example and by prayer labors for their conversion. (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, 11) Examination of Conscience (taken from ‘Celebrating our Faith Reconciliation Book’)
Prayer Before Confession Come Holy Spirit into my soul. Enlighten my mind that I may know the sins I ought to confess, and grant me your grace to confess them fully, humbly, and with a contrite heart. Help me to firmly resolve not to commit them again. O Blessed Virgin, Mother of my Redeemer, intercede for me through the Passion of Your Son, that I may obtain the grace to make a good confession. All you blessed Angels and Saints of God pray for me, a sinner that I may repent from my sins, and that my heart may be forever united with yours in eternal love. Amen. Rite of Reconciliation Priest: In the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Penitent: Amen Penitent: Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been (how long?) since my last confession, and these are my sins: (confess your sins). Priest: (gives you a penance) Penitent: (Pray the Act of Contrition):
My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against You, whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In His name, my God, have mercy.Priest: (gives you absolution) Priest: Give thanks to the Lord for he is good. Penitent: For His mercy endures forever. The priest dismisses the penitent in the Peace of Christ. Penitent (recite or do your penance as soon as possible) What does the Sacrament of Reconciliation do for us? Through Sacrament of Reconciliation, we are reconciled or brought back together, with God. We are reconciled with our own conscience, allowing us to feel inner peace. We are reconciled with others especially those whom we have hurt. We are reconciled with the Christian community, making the whole church stronger. We are reconciled with all God’s creation (Catechism, #1469) |