PREPARATION FOR FIRST RECONCILIATION AT KAUKAUNA CATHOLIC PARISHES
The normal age for preparation for First Reconciliation is in second grade before your child receives his or her first Holy Communion. If you would like your child to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time, please contact Jackie in the Discipleship Formation Office at jwallace@kaucp.org or at (920) 766-1445, ext. 118.
If you have an older child, or if you are an adult and have not yet made your first reconciliation, please contact Brittany at bmasak@kaucp.org or at (920) 766-1445, ext. 119. Brittany will be happy to work with you in your preparation.
Saturday reconciliation times at Kaukauna Catholic Parishes:
Holy Cross Parish: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
St. Katharine Drexel Parish (St. Mary site): 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
By appointment: We also invite you to contact the Kaukauna Catholic Parishes Office (KCP) at (920) 766-1445 if you wish to make an appointment for the sacrament (if you have a special situation).
Introduction to Reconciliation:
This sacrament is also known as the sacrament of conversion, or penance, or confession, or forgiveness or reconciliation. It has many names with one main goal: "Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon by God's mercy for the offence 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" (CCC # 1422).
For a person to come to this sacrament, they must have contrition for their sin. This means there is the sorrow in the soul and turning away from the sin committed. It also includes a resolution not to sin again. Hopefully, the contrition arises out of our love for God.
Secondly, this sacrament includes confession (disclosing) of sins. We must admit our sins and take responsibility for them and in this way open ourselves to receiving the forgiveness of God.
Thirdly, there must be atonement for our sins. This includes repairing the harm of our sins (return stolen goods, restore the reputation of someone slandered, pay compensation for injuries, etc.). The penance that the confessor gives can help repair the spiritual damage.
Lastly, the person receives absolution. Here is where the person is reconciled with God and reconciled with the Church. The sacrament also is a remission of all eternal punishment, and the sacrament strengthens us spiritually for the Christian battle.
For more explanation of the sacrament, please see the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC #1422-1498).
Click here for a flyer on HOW TO MAKE A GOOD CONFESSION