The Apostle John said, "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us". Jesus taught us the Lord's Prayer and in it we ask God to "Forgive us our trespasses". Jesus also instructed Simon Peter: "I will give your the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven , and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven". In imparting to his apostles his own power to forgive sins, the Lord also gives them the authority to reconcile sinners with God and his Church. In order to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we must first be contrite of heart and confess our sins. When we confess our sins, we are working with God: the beginning of good works is the confession of our evil works, this allows God to save that what he has made.
School children are taught that before receiving their first Holy Communion, they must first go to the Sacrament of Penance to receive Reconciliation. The Church has stated, "after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year."
Individual confessions are held on Saturdays at 1:00 p.m. until all are heard.
Communal Penance Services are held several times throughout the calendar year. They will be announced in the weekly Church bulletins.