There are four steps in the Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Sin hurts our relationship with God, ourselves and others. As the Catechism states:
The sinner wounds God’s honor and love, his own human dignity…and the spiritual well-being of the Church, of which each Christian ought to be a living stone. To the eyes of faith no evil is graver than sin and nothing has worse consequences for the sinners themselves, for the Church, and for the whole world. (CCC 1487, 1488)
A mature understanding of sin includes reflecting upon our thoughts, actions and omissions as well as examining the patterns of sin that may arise in our lives. With contrite hearts, we are also called to reflect upon the effects of our sins upon the wider community and how we might participate in sinful systems.
Contrition and conversion lead us to seek a forgiveness for our sins so as to repair damaged relationships with God, self, and others. We believe that only ordained priests have the faculty of absolving sins from the authority of the Church in the name of Jesus Christ (CCC 1495). Our sins are forgiven by God, through the priest.
The Spiritual effects of the Sacraments of Reconciliation include:
Individual confession with a priest is the principal means of absolution and reconciliation of grave sins within the Church. The Sacrament of Reconciliation frees us from sinful patterns of behavior and calls us to complete conversion to Christ. Reconciliation heals our sins and repairs our relationships.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is the sacrament through which we personally experience God’s forgiveness and unconditional love. It also has a communal aspect. Our sins injure the Body of Christ. Everything we do affects other people in some way. When we are truly sorry, we can be reconciled to God and to one another through confessing our sins and receiving absolution by a priest.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered each Saturday from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. and other times by request.
Children traditionally receive the sacrament of First Reconciliation during their second grade year.
Preparation includes Information (Religion class) and Formation (parent meeting, mini-retreat, prayer evening and catechesis at home). The Sacrament of First Reconciliation is celebrated in early January.
Saint Raphael Catholic Church
525 Dover Center Rd, Bay Village, Ohio 44140
Parish Office: (440) 871-1100
Email: info@saintraphaelparish.com
School Office: (440) 871-6760
Parish Office Hours
Monday - Thursday: 9:00am - 8:00pm
Friday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am - 3:30pm
Saturday & Sunday: Welcome Center for weekend Masses
Cluster Parishes
Saint Joseph (Avon Lake) &
Holy Spirit (Avon Lake)
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