Reconciliation

1422 "Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God's mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion."[4]

1423 It is called the sacrament of conversion because it makes sacramentally present Jesus' call to conversion, the first step in returning to the Father[5] from whom one has strayed by sin.

Celebration of the Sacrament:

Each Saturday evening one hour before the Mass, Fr. David or another priest is available in the reconciliation room of the Church (as you enter the Church it is half down the aisle to your left).You may also make an appointment with Fr. David.

In addition, the parishes of Norfolk hold a Communal Reconciliation Service (with individual confession and absolution), once in Advent and in Lent. Please consult the Calendar for exact dates, times, and places.

Preparation for First Reconciliation

Diocesan Guidelines for Sacramental Formation (from the Diocesan document "Called to Faith"):

62. Children should not begin this sacramental preparation unless, with their parents, they are already regular participants at Sunday Mass. Children should take part in the regular religious education programs (either with the parish or in a Catholic School) for at least one year before they prepare for these sacraments.

Children who have reached the age of discretion (7 years old) are to be prepared to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In our parish this preparation begins in the Fall. In accord with their responsibility to be the primary teachers of their children, the parents work individually with their children in the home to help them reach the proper understanding of sin, forgiveness, penance , reconciliation and the sacrament.

To assist the parents in this preparation, the parish provides sessions for the parents as well as the necessary books and material.

In addition Eva Warner and Fr. David are always available to provide further assistance.