The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, in which the faithful obtain absolution for the sins committed against God and neighbour and are reconciled with the community of the Church. By this sacrament we are freed from sins committed after Baptism.
Confession Times:
Saturday: 10.30 a.m–11.00 a.m & 5.00 p.m–5.30 p.m
Thursday( eve of First Fridays): After 10.00 am. Mass
2019 Dates for the Sacrament of First Reconciliation
Tuesday March 26th Scoil Mhuire
Tuesday April 2nd. St Vincent de Paul Girls School.
Understanding the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Prior to receiving their First Holy Communion, your child will celebrate the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation for the first time. To understand what it means to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation we must first believe that we are loved unconditionally by God. The unconditional love that they experience at home is essential in helping them to believe that God always loves them. Your child knows that you will always love and forgive them no matter what. If this is true of their parents then they can only begin to imagine how much God loves them and how willing he is to forgive them.
One of the best stories that best illustrates Gods love for each one of us is ‘The Lost Sheep’ In this parable we are encouraged to see God as a shepherd who always cares for and looks after all the sheep of the flock. In school the children will explore what it is like to be lost, not just in a physical sense, but separated from those they love when, for example, they throw a tantrum or behave inappropriately. They are helped to see that they need to say sorry for the times when their behaviour has been distructive or has caused pain or hurt.
In preparing for First Reconciliation they learn to take the necessary steps for reconciliation with themselves, with each other and with God. So, they come to celebrate their first Penance secure in the knowledge that they are always loved by God and that it is good to take responsibility and ask forgiveness for those times when their behaviour has not reflected their goodness. They are learning that it is important to say sorry and accept forgiveness that is given to them in love.