Reconciliation

Jesus said to them again,
‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.’
And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them,
‘Receive the Holy Spirit.
If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven;
if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.  
(John 20:21-23)

Not only does the Sacrament of Reconciliation free us from our sins, but it also challenges us to have the same kind of compassion and forgiveness for those who sin against us.  We are liberated to be forgivers.  We obtain new insight into the words of the Prayer of St. Francis: "It is in pardoning that we are pardoned."

 

Jesus entrusted the ministry of reconciliation to the Church.  The Sacrament of Penance is God's gift to us so that any sin committed after Baptism can be forgiven.  In confession we have the opportunity to repent and recover the grace of friendship with God. It is a holy moment in which we place ourselves in His presence and honestly acknowledge our sins, especially mortal sins.  With absolution, we are reconciled to God and the Church. The Sacrament helps us stay close to the truth that we cannot live without God. "In Him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28). 

We invite you to view the FORMED video series called FORGIVEN.  The FORGIVEN series explores the grace and healing offered in Confession and shows how this sacrament of mercy reveals the depth and bounty of God’s love. By looking at God’s revelation of His mercy in Scripture and making a step-by-step examination of the Rite itself, FORGIVEN communicates God’s invitation to each one of us to come and experience his indescribable love in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Registration required to view FORMED videos:  Click on FORMED
• SIGN UP • I BELONG TO A PARISH OR ORGANIZATION • Find your parish – Select BLESSED FREDERIC OZANAM PARISH • Click on NEXT • Enter your NAME and EMAIL ADDRESS • Click on SIGN UP

Forgiven
Session 1 – Where are you?

Forgiven
Session 2 – An Encounter with Mercy

Forgiven
Session 3 – Embraced in Mercy
The Rite Explained

The Sacrament of Reconciliation (also called "Confession" or "Penance") is celebrated at Blessed Frédéric Ozanam Parish on Saturday afternoon, from 4:00 PM to 4:45 PM.  Other times may be arranged by appointment.

While he was still at a distance,
his father saw him and had compassion,
and ran and embraced him and kissed him.
(Luke 15:20)

Before celebrating the Sacrament of Confession, one should prepare themselves with an examination of conscience.  An examination of conscience is a “prayerful self-reflection on our words and deeds in the light of the Gospel to determine how we may have sinned against God” — Glossary, The Catechism of the Catholic Church.

There are various types of examinations of conscience but regardless of which one you use to prepare yourself for the Sacrament it should be rooted in Scripture; particularly, the Ten Commandments and Beatitudes.  You can view examples here of Examinations of Conscience that can help you prepare for the Sacrament.

Examination of Conscience for Adults

Examination of Conscience for Married Persons 

Cardinal Collins
What if I haven’t gone to confession in many years?

Cardinal Collins
What will the priest think when he hears my confession?

No matter if you go to confession regularly, or if you have not been in years,  God, our Father, is longing to run to you and welcome you home.  

To schedule an appointment for confession, please contact:

The Catholic Sacrament of Reconciliation has three elements: conversion, confession and celebration. In it we find God's unconditional forgiveness and therefore we are called to forgive others.

Children who are at least seven years old and in Grade 2 may prepare to celebrate the Sacrament of Confession for the first time. Formation begins before the first reception of the Eucharist.  Catechism classes take place at your child’s Catholic school.

If your child does not attend one of our Catholic schools, we provide classes for the children on Sunday mornings.

Registration required to view FORMED videos:  Click on FORMED
• SIGN UP • I BELONG TO A PARISH OR ORGANIZATION • Find your parish – Select BLESSED FREDERIC OZANAM PARISH • Click on NEXT • Enter your NAME and EMAIL ADDRESS • Click on SIGN UP

FORMED

Sacramental Preparation

for Grade 2 children

Forgiven-The Transforming Power of Confession 

Session 1 – For Children

How To make a great confession

Forgiven-Preparing Your Child For First Confession

Session 1 – For parents

Preparing your child for First confession