Reconciliation

- Conversion to Christ, the new birth of Baptism, the gift of the Holy Spirit and the Body and Blood of Christ received as food have made us "holy and without blemish," just as the Church herself, the Bride of Christ, is "holy and without blemish." Nevertheless the new life received in Christian initiation has not abolished the frailty and weakness of human nature, nor the inclination to sin that tradition calls concupiscence, which remains in the baptized such that with the help of the grace of Christ they may prove themselves in the struggle of Christian life. This is the struggle of conversion directed toward holiness and eternal life to which the Lord never ceases to call us.
  
  - Catechism of the Catholic Church #1426
Reconciliation Services
- St. Paul Parish celebrates a communal reconciliation prayer service with the opportunity for individual sacramental reconciliation during the seasons of Advent and Lent. Through these communal celebrations, our community express our belief that we pray for one another to trust in God's promise and approach unfraid a kind and merciful God. Please refer to the parish calendar for the date and time when these services will be celebrated.
- Confession Times
  
  Wednesday: 7:00 PM December 1 and December 8
  
  Saturday: 4:30 PM
  
  or by private appointment
- Reconciliation during Coronavirus
  
  The following is taken from a homily on March 20, 2020 by our Holy Father Francis: People who cannot get to confession because of the coronavirus lockdown or another serious reason can go to God directly, be specific about their sins, request pardon and experience God’s loving forgiveness. But many people today would tell me, ‘Father, where can I find a priest, a confessor, because I can’t leave the house? And I want to make peace with the Lord, I want him to embrace me, I want the Father’s embrace.' Do what the Catechism (of the Catholic Church) says. It is very clear: If you cannot find a priest to confess to, speak directly with God, your father, and tell him the truth. Say, ‘Lord, I did this, this, this. Forgive me,’ and ask for pardon with all your heart. Make an act of contrition and promise God, ‘I will go to confession afterward, but forgive me now.’ And immediately you will return to a state of grace with God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, N. 1452, says: “When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called ‘perfect’ - contrition of charity. Such contrition remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible. This is the right time, the opportune moment. An act of contrition done well, and our souls will become white like the snow.