Reconciliation
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The Sacrament of Reconciliation in the Catholic Church
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, Jesus showed himself to his apostles. He breathed on them and said to them: "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained"(John 20:19, 22-23).
The forgiveness of sins committed after Baptism is conferred by a particular sacrament called the sacrament of conversion, confession, penance, or reconciliation. To return to communion with God after having lost it through sin is a process born of the grace of God who is rich in mercy and solicitous for the salvation of men and women. One must ask for this precious gift for oneself and for others.
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Standard Schedule
Saturday
5:00 - 5:30 pm
Sunday
7:00 - 7:20 am, 9:00 - 9:20 am,
11:00 - 11:20 am, 5:00 - 5:20 pm
By Appointment
Contact the parish office at (415) 567-7824
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I have to confess to a person? Why can't I just tell God I'm sorry?
The Catholic worldview is fundamentally sacramental; we recognize the importance of our senses to our experience of God. Our senses are the mode through which we experience all reality. Here the question is how can we best reconcile with God and be assured of God’s forgiveness? If God wants us to really experience forgiveness, God will use our primary mode of experiencing reality. Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation we speak our words of repentance and hear God’s words of forgiveness. In this setting, the priest's role is to stands in persona Christi (in the person of Christ), allowing God to heal the divisions we've caused, and allowing us to to truly experience God's tender mercy.
What if I've been away from the Sacrament of Reconciliation for a long time?
Please know that you are always welcome back. While you are welcome to come to any of the standard Reconciliation times, it is often easiest to set up an appointment if you've been away for a while.
What if I don't know what to do or say?
This is not uncommon. If we received our First Reconciliation when we were young, we remember there is a standard format, but we've forgotten how to follow that format. Just let the priest know and he'll guide you through the process.
What do I do if I'm not sure God will forgive me?
Forgiveness is central to the mission and message of Jesus Christ. God is able to forgive us even before we've been able to forgive ourselves. Here's a passage from Luke's Gospel that highlights this fact:
[Zechariah said,] "And you, child [John the Baptist], will be called prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God by which the daybreak from on high will visit us to shine on those who sit in darkness and death's shadow, to guide our feet into the path of peace" (Luke 1:76-79).
How should I prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation?
Sometimes we know what we need to confess. Other times we're unclear, or we stay on the surface without going deeper. There is a form of prayer known as an Examination of Conscience that can help us prepare to make a good Confession. You'll find several different Examinations on the USCCB website.
How often should I go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation?
The Church requests at least once a year (if we're aware of serious sin), but more frequently is usually better. Use your best judgment. If you prepare well and go, is it a grace-filled experience. If you are wrestling with something specific, then going more frequently would be helpful. Basically, if it's helping, keep up the pace. If you find yourself frustrated because you don't have much to say, then you may be going more than necessary or need to focus on preparing better. Push yourself a little because it often feels easier not to go than to go.
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