What is Reconciliation? The Sacrament of Penance, also known as Reconciliation or Confession, is the Sacrament through which we receive the forgiveness for sin won by Jesus Christ on the cross and the renewal of the life of grace begun in Baptism. Those who follow Christ are called to live free of sin in order to enter heaven—as the scriptures relate, "nothing unclean will enter it." (Rev. 21:27) All Catholics are encouraged to receive this Sacrament frequently, especially when they are conscious of mortal sin. A mortal sin is a serious violation of God's law that we know to be wrong, but freely choose to do. Less serious sins are called venial sins. A venial sin does not cause us to completely turn away from God's love, but weakens our relationship with God, ourselves, others, and the Church.
What Happens During Reconciliation? Before participating in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we make an Examination of Conscience, in which we ask the Holy Spirit to help us reflect on our thoughts, words, and actions to identify times we have strayed from God's will.
We then confess our sins to God by telling them to a priest. Priests are bound by the seal of Confession, and are forbidden from revealing the sins they hear in the confessional. The priest advises us on how better to follow the will of God and gives us a penance, which is a prayer or good deed that we must do to make up for the hurt caused by our sins, to help us avoid sin, and to grow closer to God. We then make an Act of Contrition to express to God our sorrow for our sins and our determination to follow His will, and the priest provides the absolution, which is God's forgiveness, given to us through the priest by the power of the Holy Spirit. He makes the sign of the cross over us and says, "Through the ministry of the Church, may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." We respond, "Amen".
Planning for Reconciliation The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered on Saturdays from 4:00 - 4:30 p.m. Penitents are encouraged to arrive at the beginning of the time period to ensure adequate opportunity to receive the Sacrament.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is also available by private appointment with Father Hayes. Please contact the Parish Office at 740-587-3254 to coordinate.
To inquire about First Reconciliation for children, please contact our Parish School of Religion Office at 740-587-4160.
"We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him."