Penance and Reconciliation

• Saturdays: 3:00 PM - 3:50 PM
• Sundays & weekdays: By appointment.  

Our Lord instituted this Sacrament on the day of His Resurrection when he entered the Upper Room and gave the Apostles the power to remit sin:

"Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained." (John 20:22b-23)



The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation is an extraordinary gift, restoring/repairing the relationship between those who receive it and God, who grants it through the ministry of the priest. Rather than fearing it or being embarrassed by our need for it (for we all sin), we should come humbly and gratefully to confess our sins and receive God's forgiveness.
 

At St. Mark, children usually are prepared to participate for the first time in the Sacrament of Reconciliation  in the second grade. This is also the year children are prepared to receive Communion. Older children, of course, also can be prepared to participate in Reconciliation. For more information, see Sacramental Preparation. If you have questions, please contact the Director of Evangelization, Deacon Scott Paine ([email protected]) 813-725-0951.