Penance

Before his Ascension, Our Lord entrusted to the Church the power
to forgive sins in his name: “If you forgive the sins of any,
they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained” (John. 20:21),
and so from apostolic times the Church has always exercised
this essential aspect of her Divine constitution
as the instrument of salvation in the world.

RESTORED BY GOD

The Sacrament of Penance is the ordinary means by which the faithful are restored to sanctifying grace after having fallen into post-baptismal grave sin. (Cf. CIC, c. 960). It is also a channel of particular graces which assists the faithful in avoiding sin in the future, overcoming habits of sin, and growing in the life of supernatural grace and virtue.

“Those who approach the Sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from the mercy of God for the offence committed against him and are at the same time reconciled with the Church, which they have wounded by their sins…” (Cf. Lumen gentium no. 11).

Preparation for the First Penance of Children

• Children should be encouraged to prepare for the Sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation as they near the age of seven.
• Celebration of First Penance is to precede the celebration of First Eucharist. (Cf. CIC, c. 914, CCC, no. 1457).

To learn more about the process involved in preparing children for First Penance, please call Donna DeJoode at (585) 924-2800.

Sacraments Camp Info & FAQs (pdf)

At Saint Patrick’s Church, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated before the weekday and weekend Masses. The confessional is located on the left side of the vestibule as you enter the main doors in front of the church.

Seven Reasons to Return to Confession

Six Ways to Examine Your Conscience for Confession