History and Theology

The forgiveness of sins is intrinsically linked to the mission of Jesus Christ and his Church. Jesus forgave sins often as part of his earthly ministry (see for example Mark 2:1-12). He also gave the power to forgive sins to his apostles (Matthew 18:15-20). This power was passed on from the apostles to their disciples, which in turn was passed on to their disciples, all the way to our bishop, who passes it on to his priests. We all sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) and we are all in need of forgiveness. We remember that sin is never in a vacuum. In other words, our sins not only affects us and our relationship to God, but it also affects our relationship to others in our community. We are called to confess our sins to one another in the scriptures (James 5:16) and we should confess our sins to the ones who have the power, through the Holy Spirit, to forgive those sins.

Therefore, as Catholics we seek forgiveness in the sacrament of Reconciliation. In this sacrament, the priest, who has been given the power to forgive sins by Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit, absolves us and reconciles us to God and to the community.

Why go back to Confession?

Call it a sin. Call it wrongdoing.Call it failings, or transgressions, or brokenness, or “the human condition.”It goes by many names. It’s the desolate knowledge that things are not right because we have acted wrongly. Sin divides and shatters. It separates us from God, from those we love, and from ourselves.
 
Sin wounds our relationship with God and others
as well as our human dignity. 
Faith reveals to us the destructive force of sin in our lives
and the world.
-United States, Catholic Catechism for Adults (USCCB), p.245-
 
   This knowledge burdens us.  We can’t undo what we’ve done, but we long for relief—a new start, an end to guilt, freedom to act rightly, a path out of the wilderness.  We want forgiveness.  We want to be restored.
 
   That’s what God offers us in confession.  The salvation that Jesus accomplished for the human race is something we can
experience personally.  Forgiveness is ours through confession.  It’s the road back to God.  It’s a channel of grace to live with new joy and freedom.
 
   A few decades ago, the Catholic Church began referring to
confession as the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. 
It did this to emphasize reconciliation.  That’s the short answer
to the question, “Why go back to confession?”  We do it to be
reconciled. Reconciliation literally means “to meet again.”  We’ve lost our way.  Confession is the way back home.
 

1st Reconciliation for Children
Children preparing for their 1st Reconciliation should be enrolled in Elementary Faith Formation. In the Diocese of Raleigh, sacramental preparation is a two year process. Usually 1st Reconciliation is received in 2nd grade, so a child must be enrolled in Faith Formation in 1st grade to receive their sacraments in 2nd grade. For sacramental preparation for children we use the “Call to Celebrate” curriculum through Our Sunday Visitor. Children will typically receive their 1st Reconciliation during the Advent Season.

1st Reconciliation for Adults
Adults who have not received their 1st Reconciliation will need to join the Catholic Church through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). The RCIA is a process of spiritual growth and learning about Catholicism. Through the RCIA, you are invited to enter into a relationship with God and the Church. Those who go through the RCIA and wish to become Christians are baptized. If you are already baptized and want to become Catholic, you will prepare for your Confirmation and 1st Eucharist. You will receive your 1st Reconciliation during this preparation. Contact Rebecca in our parish office to join RCIA. 

Opportunities for Reconciliation at St. Luke’s

 St. Luke's Sacrament of Reconciliation is now offered in the Confessional by the St. Joseph statue, which is the right transept as you face the Altar.  We continue to offer Reconciliation on Friday mornings from 9:30-10:00 AM and Saturdays from 4:00-5:00 PM. For an appointment, please call the office 919-848-1533.