Reconciliation 

Confessions, Saturday 3:30-4:30 pm or by appointment

Jesus entrusted the ministry of reconciliation to the Church.  The Sacrament of Penance is God's gift to us so that any sin committed after Baptism can be forgiven.  In confession we have the opportunity to repent and recover the grace of friendship with God. It is a holy moment in which we place ourselves in his presence and honestly acknowledge our sins, especially mortal sins.  With absolution, we are reconciled to God and the Church. The Sacrament helps us stay close to the truth that we cannot live without God. "In him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28). While all the Sacraments bring us an experience of the mercy that comes from Christ's dying and rising, it is the Sacrament of Reconciliation that is the unique Sacrament of mercy. -United States Conference of Catholic Bishops 

First Sacrament Preparation: Reconciliation 

Parish Policies

#1: The ordinary age for preparation for First Sacraments is seven years. The child must also be in the second grade or older. Furthermore, a candidate must have either attended Holy Family School or the Holy Family Religious Education Program during first grade (or the year prior).

#2: Preparation for First Sacraments must be done in addition to ordinary religious instruction. Children must actively attend either Catholic school, or Holy Family's Parish School of Religion classes. Parents of candidates must apply for First Rite of Reconciliation and First Eucharist for their children separately from registration for Parish School of Religion classes. 

#3: In order to receive First Sacraments parents and children MUST attend all required classes and meetings or attend make-up sessions. A Parent Meeting and Eucharist Workshop will take place in preparation for First Holy Communion.

Grade 2nd-5th Reconciliation Sacrament Preparation 
All students in grades 2nd-5th must receive faith formation instruction either in Holy Family Parish School of Religion weekly classes or via Catholic School attendance for two consecutive years. In addition to faith formation/Catholic School religion classes each student must attend a workshop to prepare to receive the sacrament. Parents of candidates for First Reconciliation must also attend the workshop and an additional parent meeting. 

Students enrolled in the Parish School of Religion second and third grades for the second year will obtain all necessary instruction during Wednesday evening classes. 

Students enrolled in the Parish School of Religion fourth through fifth grades will obtain instruction during Wednesday evening classes AND will also need to attend a series of additional instructional classes specifically on the sacrament of Reconciliation on Sundays. Dates of these classes to be announced in December. 

Grades 6th-10th Reconciliation Sacrament Preparation
Students in grades sixth grade and up must receive faith formation instruction either through Holy Family Parish Youth Ministry classes or via Catholic School attendance for two consecutive years. In addition to faith formation/Catholic School religion classes they must also attend a series of additional sacrament preparation classes on Sundays from January through May. Other requirements including parent meetings, workshops, and rehearsal may also be required as determined by the Youth Ministry Office. 

Grades 2-5 provided by Children's Ministry
Grades 6+ provided by Youth Ministry 

Act of Contrition

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you. I detest all my sins because of your just punishments. But most of all because they offend you, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly    resolve, with the help of your grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen.

Registration for Sacrament Preparation 

Registration for the 2018-2019 school year will be available in November. 

Children’s Examination of Conscience

My Relationship with God
Do I pray to God every day?  Do I thank Him for being so good to me?  Do I listen to Him?
Do I argue with my parents when they say it is time to go to Mass on Sunday?
Do I participate in Mass by paying attention, responding and singing?
Do I speak about God respectfully, or do I use God’s name in vain?
Do I try to learn more about my faith by learning prayers, attending religion classes and reading the Bible?

My Relationship with My Family and Others
Family:
Do I obey my parents like I should?
Do I talk back to my parents? Am I disrespectful toward my parents?
Am I responsible with my belongings?
Do I clean my room and doing my assigned household jobs?
Am I ever mean to my brothers and sisters?

School:
Do I fool around in class? Do I try to do my best?
Am I disrespectful or inconsiderate toward teachers or classmates?
Do I pick on other kids?
Have I cheated on homework or a test?

Others:
Am I selfish with my things, or do I share them with others?
Have I lied to my parents? to my teachers? to my friends?
Have I taken something that does not belong to me?
Do I borrow things without returning them?
Do I watch inappropriate TV programs or videos?
Do I use words that shock or hurt others?

Myself
Do I eat a well balanced diet?
Do I get enough rest by getting to bed on time at night?
Do I brush my teeth each day?
Do I bathe, groom my hair, and dress modestly?