Through the sacraments of Christian initiation, man receives the new life of Christ. Now we carry this life "in earthen vessels," and it remains "hidden with Christ in God. We are still in our "earthly tent," subject to suffering, illness, and death. This new life as a child of God can be weakened and even lost by sin. Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God's mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion. (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1420 & 1422)
Sin is before all else an offense against God, a rupture of com
munion with him. At the same time it damages communion with the Church. For this reason conversion entails both God's forgiveness and reconciliation with the Church, which are expressed and accomplished liturgically by the sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. Christ has willed that in her prayer and life and action his whole Church should be the sign and instrument of the forgiveness and reconciliation that he acquired for us at the price of his blood. But he entrusted the exercise of the power of absolution to the apostolic ministry which he charged with the ministry of reconciliation. The apostle is sent out on behalf of Christ with God making his appeal through him and pleading:Be reconciled to God. In imparting to his apostles his own power to forgive sins the Lord also gives them the authority to reconcile sinners with the Church. Christ instituted the sacrament of Penance for all sinful members of his Church: above all for those who, since Baptism, have fallen into grave sin, and have thus lost their baptismal grace and wounded ecclesial communion. It is to them that the sacrament of Penance offers a new possibility to convert and to recover the grace of justification.
Individual Reconciliation
Monday to Friday following the 8:00 am daily Mass and Saturday 4:00 pm
Appointments for individual reconciliation can also be arranged by contacting the Parish Office.
Reconciliation Services
St. James 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.
