Reconciliation
After Baptism, it is the Sacrament of Reconciliation that provides spiritual healing through the forgiveness of sins and the restoration of our relationship with God. This Sacrament was instituted by Jesus as a gift of God’s mercy. Our God is a God of deep love and unending mercy. He desires that not one of us be lost or far from Him. Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, He continually reaches out to us with His arms of pardon and peace. Nothing we can confess is unforgivable or beyond His mercy. The Sacrament of Reconciliation strengthens and renews God's grace. It strengthens Catholics to live by the commandments as disciples of Jesus. Those preparing to celebrate Eucharist for the first time must have prepared for and received the Sacrament of Reconciliation first. Catholics celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation again and again.
"God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy." - Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered every Saturday from 4:00pm-5:00pm or by appointment. Please come and receive God's unending mercy!
Sacramental Preparation Classes
First Reconciliation and First Communion classes will begin the in the Fall. We will be using the curriculum Signs of Grace - You are Forgiven and Signs of Grace - You are Loved from the Augustine Institute, which engages children and parents to grow in their faith together.
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You Are Forgiven prepares children to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time by revealing that God is indeed “rich in mercy.”
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You Are Loved prepares children to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion for the first time by revealing the intimate love that God has for us.
Please contact the office (503-631-2882) for more information.
As part of this program, we ask parents to:
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Have their child baptized in a Catholic church
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Provide a copy of their child's baptism certificate, if they were not baptized at St. Philip Benizi
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Attend Sunday Mass each week with their child