“Go, the priest will be good. And Jesus, (will be) there, and Jesus is better than the priests - Jesus receives you. He will receive you with so much love! Be courageous, and go to confession.”
- Pope Francis
The Sacrament of Reconciliation calls people to confess their sins and experience God's healing, forgiveness, and love. As practicing Catholics, we are encouraged to go to Reconciliation on a regular basis. But the reality is, only a small percentage of Catholics go to Reconciliation regularly. Two of the most common reasons people forgo the sacrament is because they either haven't been to Reconciliation in many years or they don't fully understand what Reconciliation is all about.
We want to assure you that Reconciliation is nothing to fear, and the grace we receive brings us closer to God and helps us to live fuller lives. If you need Reconciliation outside of our normal hours, please contact the parish office to set up a time to meet with a priest.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is normally celebrated before a child makes their First Communion. At St. Mary of the Falls, it is traditional for children to celebrate this sacrament in December of their second year of religious education. For our day school, this is Grade 2, and for PSR it is level 2. One year of previous religious education is required in order to be prepared for the celebration of the sacrament. Sacramental formation is covered in the classroom, but parents are also asked to work with their children to help them with preparation material.
Before coming to Reconciliation, it is recommended that you perform an Examination of Conscience. Below is a link to various examinations, including examinations for children, young adults, single people, married persons, and an Examination of Conscience based on the Ten Commandments to help guide your reflection.
We offer Reconciliation every Saturday from 3:30-4:30 PM in the church (no appointment needed).
You can also make an appointment for a different day by contacting the Parish Office:
Email: smofparish@gmail.com
Phone: 440-235-2222