First Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is more commonly known as “Confession,” while a few know it as “Penance.” While Confession and Penance are both parts of the sacrament, they are not the whole sacrament. The sacrament begins with a confession of sins. Yet we should ask ourselves why we are confessing our sins. Doesn’t God already know what I’ve done? Yes, God does, but we are called to confess our sins aloud in order to admit that we realize that we have sinned and are in need of God’s forgiveness. 
 
Any child in 2nd grade or older is welcome to prepare for and receive this sacrament.  Before preparing for one of these sacraments, the child should already be enrolled in our Children’s Faith Formation program. The sacramental preparation classes are separate from the Children’s Faith Formation classes. You can register for both Children’s Faith Formation and Sacramental Preparation here. 
 
Our preparation program for First Reconciliation begins in October. A complete schedule is forthcoming.

For children who are baptized, it is the policy of the Diocese of Rochester that First Reconciliation precedes First Eucharist.  Children may prepare for both Sacraments in the same year if they are in 3rd grade or older.