Our Lady of the Valley Parish Community
POLICY & GUIDELINES
FOR FIRST RECONCILIATION

RECONCILIATION

Jesus began His risen life by giving His twelve Apostles the power to forgive sins. 
The Sacrament of   Reconciliation continues His work of forgiving and reconciling us to Himself, His Church and to one another. Preparing our children for their first encounter with the Lord in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we must always respect their natural disposition, ability, age and circumstances of each child.

PARISH POLICY & GIULDELINES:

A.    Reconciliation seeks to:

a.       Make clear the relationship of the sacrament to the life of the child.

b.      Help the child recognize good and evil, repent wrongdoing and turn to Christ and the Church for forgiveness.

c.       Encourage the child to see that, in this sacrament, faith is expressed by being forgiven and forgiving.

d.      Encourage each child to approach the sacrament freely, regularly and without fear.

B.     Remote catechesis for the Sacrament of Reconciliation should begin as soon as a child enters the formal process of Religious Education.  It should continue throughout the school years and beyond.

C.     Age: The primary decision as to when a child is ready and prepared to celebrate the sacrament for the first time rests with their parents (or the adult(s) responsible for the child).

D.    Readiness:  Children need to have a basic understanding of sin and their responsibility for their decisions.  They should also desire to experience the forgiving and healing power of God in the Sacrament of Reconciliation celebrated with the Christian community.

E.     Requirements:

a.       Attend and participate in classes of religious instruction.

b.      Regularly participate in the parish weekend worship with the family.

F.      Parental Involvement: Parents are expected to take an active role in the preparation of their
child for the first reception of the sacrament by:   

a.       Attendance at preparation sessions for parents on their involvement in child preparation    for the sacrament.

b.      Work with their child at home in the preparation program.

G.     Reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation: Catechesis and the reception of the sacrament must be at least six weeks prior to and separate from the celebration of First Holy Eucharist. Reception of First Penance will take place in the context of a communal penance service with individual confession (unless the parents choose otherwise and notify the Office of Religious Education).

H.      Eligibility for the Sacrament: Children who have completed one full year of religious instruction are eligible to begin the preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.