“It is I, I, who wipe out, for my own sake, your offenses; your sins I remember no more.” Isaiah 43:25

The Lord Jesus Christ is the Divine Physician of our souls and bodies. He willed that His Church, in the power of the Holy Spirit, should continue His ministry of healing and salvation. Therefore, He instituted the Sacrament of Reconciliation for all sinful members of His Church (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1421 & 1446.) The Sacrament of Reconciliation—also known as Penance or Confession—is the ordinary means by which Christ’s faithful who are aware of serious sin are reconciled to God and His Church after Baptism. Every Catholic after attaining the age of discretion is bound by obligation to confess serious sins at least once a year (Code of Canon Law, cann. 960 & 989).
 
Parents, as models of faith and Christian witness and in virtue of their duty as the primary educators of their children, are to be actively and intimately engaged in preparing their children for the first reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Is your child ready to prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation?
The following guidelines will help you to determine if your child is ready to begin preparation or needs more time:


Minimum Requirements to Register for Preparation for First Reconciliation:

• Child must be Catholic and be open to receiving the Sacrament.
• Child must be at least seven (7) years old.
• Child is concurrently enrolled in and attending the monthly Family Faith Formation program with at least one parent; completed Sacramental preparation at Ste. Marie; or attending Catholic School or Homeschool (please submit curriculum in use)
• Child is attending weekly Sunday Mass with parents and knows how to participate in the celebration of the liturgy.
• Child should know basic prayers: Sign of the Cross, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.