OUR LADY OF THE VALLEY PARISH
                          POLICY & GUIDELINES FOR THE FIRST RECEPTION OF
                                THE SACRAMENT OF 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. Catechesis for children must always respect the natural disposition, ability, age and circumstances of individuals.

Reconciliation seeks to:
    1.    Make clear the relationship of the sacrament to the child’s life.
    2.    Help the child recognize good and evil, repent wrongdoing, and turn for forgiveness to Christ and the Church.
    3.    Encourage the child to see that, in this sacrament, faith is expressed by being forgiven and forgiving.
    4.    Encourage the child to approach the sacrament freely and regularly.

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.

A.    Age:    Primary decision as to when a child is ready to celebrate the sacrament for the first time rests with the adults responsible for the child.

B.    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.

C.    Requirements:
    1.    Attend and participate in classes of religious instruction.
    2.    Participate in parish weekend worship with the family.

D.    Parental Involvement: Parents are expected to take an active role in the preparation of their
        child for the first reception of the sacrament by:
    1.    Attendance at preparation sessions for parents on their involvement in child preparation    for the sacrament.
    2.    Work with their child at home in the preparation program.
   
E.    Reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation/Penance:
        Catechesis and the reception of the sacrament must be at least six weeks prior to and separate from the celebration of First Eucharist. Reception of First Penance will take place in the context of a Communal Penance Service with individual confession unless the parents choose otherwise.

F.    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/Penance.