Penance / Reconciliation
Conversion to Christ is an ongoing process. No one is perfect. Christ builds the bridge and calls us to be reconciled with God, to live in the community of the Church in peace and love. There are many opportunities for a response to the reconciling work of Christ – the Eucharist reconciles us with God and one another; Lent is a time of repentance or turning back; many prayers ask for God’s forgiveness. The Catholic Church has a special sacrament as well, the sacrament of penance which comprises a rite of reconciliation.
This sacrament renews the first conversion of baptism and restores the ruptured relationship with God and others. It reconciles the sinner to the communion of the Eucharist. Opportunities to celebrate this sacrament are offered weekly at Sts Peter and Paul. Click here for Reconciliation times. Children are introduced to this sacrament for the first time at about the age of nine as they prepare for first communion. The main sacramental preparation for Penance takes place in the year when the children turn ten (year five). This will be celebrated individually with each child. The sacramental policy of the Archdiocese of Brisbane has established a cooperative process involving parish, family and school to prepare children for this sacrament and to celebrate it with them through their primary years. For a copy of the diocesan policy, see Sacramental Policy of the Archdiocese of Brisbane. In the Parish of Sts Peter and Paul, children are introduced to the sacrament of penance before Easter so that the sacramental preparation corresponds with the penitential season of Lent. The time of preparation begins with a parents’ session for reflection and information and a rite of enrolment for the children at Sunday Mass. |
To inquire about Penance or to register for sacramental preparation, parishioners are invited to contact the parish office.
For background information, please click here to access the Archdiocese of Brisbane website
For background information, please click here to access the Archdiocese of Brisbane website