Reconciliation (Penance)
THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION IS ALSO KNOWN AS THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE OR CONFESSION.
In this sacrament, the penitent confesses his sins to the priest in the reconciliation room or confessional. The priest then gives absolution to the repentant soul, making the Sign of the Cross, and saying the words “I absolve you from your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”.
It is God, through the priest, who forgives someone's sins.
As the penitent must make restitution or satisfaction for his sins, the priest gives a penance to the forgiven one – usually prayer, fasting, or almsgiving.
Confession gives one a wonderful sense of freedom and peace from the burden of sin. Sorrow, affliction and a desire for conversion follow the remorse of sin in those with a contrite heart.
The experience also brings a sense of gratitude to our generous Lord for his love, compassion and mercy.
Reconciliation is available at the Parish after 9am Mass (Saturday).
There are two programmes of preparation for the sacrament of Reconciliation depending on whether the sacrament is being received by a child or an adult.
For children, the sacrament is usually celebrated towards the end of the year in Advent. Diocesan policy requires children to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation before being confirmed or receiving First Communion. Parents will need to enrol their child in the Sacramental Programme for Children. Please keep an eye on the notices in the Sunday newsletter for details near the time.
Contact the parish office for further information.
For adults, receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation is part of their RCIA (Becoming Catholic) journey.
Anointing of the Sick
If you or a loved one is sick or about to have surgery you may ask for the sacrament of the sick. If you are going into a Public Hospital there are Catholic Chaplains who will arrange the anointing, as well as bring Holy Communion. Let the hospital know that your are Catholic during admission. At any time you can ask nursing staff to call for the Catholic chaplain.
THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK IS THE SACRAMENT GIVEN TO SERIOUSLY ILL CHRISTIANS, AND THE SPECIAL GRACES RECEIVED UNITE THE SICK PERSON TO THE PASSION OF CHRIST.
The sacrament consists of the anointing of the forehead and hands of the patient with blessed oil with the priest saying, "Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up."
The ecclesial effect of this sacrament is incorporation into the healing Body of Christ, with a spiritual healing of the soul and, at times, healing of the body.
The sacramental grace helps us to accept sickness as a purifying cross sent by God, and the grace even to accept death if that is God's will.
This sacrament has been practised since the earliest days of the Church. Until recently, the emphasis was on preparation for death, and it was referred to as "Extreme Unction" (the Last Anointing) or "The Last Rites". However, the Second Vatican Council restored an emphasis on prayer for the physical and spiritual healing for all seriously ill persons. The sacrament should not be deferred until the person is dangerously ill and on the point of death.