If you are in need of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, confessions are heard on Saturdays at 3:00pm and Friday evening after the 6:30 pm Mass during Adoration, or you may call the rectory at 508-883-6726 to make an appointment.
Reconciliation/Penance is held on Friday evenings after the 6:30pm Mass (during Adoration), on Saturdays from 3:00pm to 3:40pm, or by appointment.
• It is called the sacrament of conversion because it makes sacramentally present Jesus’ call to conversion, the first step in returning to the Father from whom one has strayed by sin.
• It is called the sacrament of Penance, since it consecrates the Christian sinner’s personal and ecclesial steps of conversion, penance, and satisfaction.
• It is called the sacrament of confession, since the disclosure or confession of sins to a priest is an essential element of this sacrament. In a profound sense it is also a “confession” – acknowledgment and praise – of the holiness of God and of his mercy toward sinful man.
• It is called the sacrament of forgiveness, since by the priest’s sacramental absolution God grants the penitent “pardon and peace.”
• It is called the sacrament of Reconciliation, because it imparts to the sinner the love of God who reconciles: “Be reconciled to God.” He who lives by God’s merciful love is ready to respond to the Lord’s call: “Go; first be reconciled to your brother.”
Children in the religious education program will make their 1st Reconciliation as part of the 2nd Grade curriculum or when they are most ready. Please contact the religious education office at 508-883-2590 if your child needs to make 1st Reconciliation.
1st Reconciliation Curriculum Goals
• To make the children comfortable with the idea of Reconciliation
• To introduce the idea that rules are a vehicle of love
• That the 10 Commandments are God’s special rules of love
• To help the children form the concepts of sin and conscience.
Sin is deliberately choosing to go against God’s rules, the 10 Commandments.
Conscience is that inner voice that helps us to know the difference between right and wrong.
• Emphasis is placed on helping children understand that the difference between actively choosing to wrong and accidentally doing wrong.
• To present the overwhelming love and mercy of God
• To present the need to repent and seek forgiveness Just as if a child has hurt a friend’s feelings or broken a family rule, they feel better once they’ve apologized and made things “right” with their friend or family, the same is true for their relationship with God.
• To familiarize the children with the steps in the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Student Expectations
• Attend Mass regularly
• Attend religious education classes.
• Learn the Act of Contrition and be able to understand sorrow for sin.