Reconciliation/Penance

Reconciliation is held at St. Helen’s on Saturday from 4:30 to 5:00 PM in the church (Except Holy Saturday) or by appointment.

First Reconciliation is a one year program which welcomes the children in love and friendship by God and the community.    Catechetical Objectives are:  To teach the children that God’s love is a forgiving love, to engender in the children a positive attitude toward the Sacrament of Reconciliation, reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  The sacrament is celebrated prior to First Eucharist.

The steps to reconciliation are:

• The priest greets us and we pray the sign of the cross
• We confess our sins. The priest may counsel us.
• The priest gives us a penance which maybe prayers to pray or an act of kindness to go forth and perform.
• The priest asks us to pray the Act of Contrition
• We receive absolution.  The priest says, “I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” We respond Amen
• The priest dismisses us by saying “Go in Peace”