Confessions are suspended until the public health advice is that people can gather safely within our churches. Please speak to Fr John on 01926 423824 (St Peter’s & Our Lady’s) or Fr Noel (St Joseph’s) for pastoral advice.
THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
WHY DO WE NEED THIS SACRAMENT
Jesus told his followers, "The time has come. The Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the Good News!" (Mark 1:15) He is asking us to turn back to Him, being sorry for the bad things that we have done and determined to change our life for the better in the future.
During his public life Jesus not only forgave sins, He also showed that penitent sinners could be reintegrated into the community of the people of God from which sin had alienated, or even excluded, them. A sign of this is that Jesus received sinners at his table.
The Church is the body of Christ, with Jesus as its head and we are members of that body. When we sin, we turn away from God and we break our relationship with him. Only God can forgive sins but he has given the Church the authority to grant forgiveness on his behalf. After his resurrection from the dead, Jesus breathed on the Apostles and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone's sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." (John 20:22-23)
ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF THE SACRAMENT
The Sacrament takes place in private between the penitent (the one seeking forgiveness) and the Priest. The Sacrament has three parts for the penitent: repentance (sorrow for their sins), confession (disclosure of their sins to the Priest) and reparation (a willingness to do something to make up for the wrongs they have committed). The Sacrament is completed when the Church, working through the Priest, forgives the penitent's sins in the name of Jesus Christ and determines the penance. This might consist of saying prayers, an act of charity or self-denial or something relevant that will help them to grow in love and humility.
THE PRIEST'S ROLE
In the Sacrament the Priest is standing in for Jesus Christ.
Jesus told his followers, "The time has come. The Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the Good News!" (Mark 1:15) He is asking us to turn back to Him, being sorry for the bad things that we have done and determined to change our life for the better in the future.
During his public life Jesus not only forgave sins, He also showed that penitent sinners could be reintegrated into the community of the people of God from which sin had alienated, or even excluded, them. A sign of this is that Jesus received sinners at his table.
The Church is the body of Christ, with Jesus as its head and we are members of that body. When we sin, we turn away from God and we break our relationship with him. Only God can forgive sins but he has given the Church the authority to grant forgiveness on his behalf. After his resurrection from the dead, Jesus breathed on the Apostles and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone's sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." (John 20:22-23)
ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF THE SACRAMENT
The Sacrament takes place in private between the penitent (the one seeking forgiveness) and the Priest. The Sacrament has three parts for the penitent: repentance (sorrow for their sins), confession (disclosure of their sins to the Priest) and reparation (a willingness to do something to make up for the wrongs they have committed). The Sacrament is completed when the Church, working through the Priest, forgives the penitent's sins in the name of Jesus Christ and determines the penance. This might consist of saying prayers, an act of charity or self-denial or something relevant that will help them to grow in love and humility.
THE PRIEST'S ROLE
In the Sacrament the Priest is standing in for Jesus Christ.