Reconciliation
Reconciliation
Sin hurts our relationship with God, ourselves and others. As the Catechism states:
The sinner wounds God’s honor and love, his own human dignity, and the spiritual well-being of the Church, of which each Christian ought to be a living stone. To the eyes of faith no evil is graver than sin and nothing has worse consequences for the sinners themselves, for the Church, and for the whole world. (CCC 1487, 1488)
Contrition and conversion lead us to seek a forgiveness for our sins so as to repair damaged relationships with God, self, and others. We believe that only ordained priests have the faculty of absolving sins from the authority of the Church in the name of Jesus Christ (CCC 1495). Our sins are forgiven by God, through the priest.
Individual confession with a priest is the principal means of absolution and reconciliation of grave sins within the Church. The Sacrament of Reconciliation frees us from sinful patterns of behavior and calls us to complete conversion to Christ. Reconciliation heals our sins and repairs our relationships.
Reconciliation is celebrated on Saturday from 4:00 – 5:00 PM or by appointment.
The celebration of First Reconciliation and First Holy Eucharist is one of the most joyful times in the life of the Catholic family. As parents and Godparents present their children for these important Sacraments in the life of the Church, they offer them a new opportunity to know the Lord’s forgiveness and generosity.
Baptized Catholic children may begin preparation for these Sacraments at the age of 7 AND when they have begun the 2nd Grade. Per the Diocese of Richmond, the Sacramental Preparation program is separate and distinct from our Children’s Sunday weekly Faith Formation program. Preparation for these Sacraments is satisfied with religious instruction by participating in our faith formation program of catechesis AND required sessions for children and their parents for both the celebration of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist.
Register for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist preparation on our Faith Formation registration form.
Bishop Knestout encourages anyone aware of sexual abuse of minors on the part of clergy or staff of our diocese to notify civil authorities,
call the Attorney General’s Clergy Abuse Hotline at 1-833-454-9064, and reach out to the Diocesan Victim Assistance at 1-877-887-9603.
https://richmonddiocese.org/protecting-gods-children/