About this Sacrament

The Sacrament of Penance, also known as the Sacrament of Reconciliation, is often referred to as Confession. These titles are all aspects of the meaning of the sacrament.

The Sacrament of Penance is a celebration of God’s love and mercy. It celebrates the call to repentance after a process of conversion of heart. During this sacrament, a Catholic confesses his/her sins in the spirit of true repentance and receives forgiveness of God through the ministry of the priest.

In the Catholic Tradition, the Sacrament of Penance is seen within the context of conversion from sin and a turn to God. Importantly, the sacrament is intended as an experience of God’s boundless mercy. Not only does the sacrament reconcile us with God, it also reconciles us with the Church, repairing or restoring the damage our sins have done to our communion with others. The sacrament challenges us to have the same kind of compassion and forgiveness for others. We obtain new insight into the words of the Prayer of St. Francis: ‘It is in pardoning that we are pardoned’.

First Reconciliation for School-aged Children.

Preparing Your Child for the Sacrament of Reconciliation

Children typically begin their journey towards the Sacrament of Reconciliation in Year 3 of primary school, the year before they make their First Eucharist.

To ensure a comprehensive preparation, we offer tailored programs for students attending both our parish primary schools and other local schools.

• Parish Primary School Students: For children attending one of our four Parish Primary Schools of St. Mary's Thornbury, St. Joseph's Northcote, Holy Spirit's Thornbury East, St. Anthony's Alphington their preparation for this sacrament occurs within the school’s Religious Education Program.

• Students from Other Schools: We invite children to participate in our after-school Sacraments Program, guided by our experienced Catechists Team.

This sacred milestone is a significant step in your child's spiritual growth. We are committed to providing a nurturing and supportive environment for their preparation.

If you have a child that needs to make their First Reconciliation please contact the Parish Offices.