Confession
“Confession is an act of honesty and courage - an act of entrusting ourselves, beyond sin, to the mercy of a loving and forgiving God.”
- Pope St. John Paul II
Confession Times
SATURDAY | SÁBADO
After the 4:00 pm Vigil Mass Historic Church
Después de la Misa de Vigilia de las 4:00 pm
Iglesia Histórica
MONDAY - THURSDAY
DE LUNES A JUEVES
After the 7:00 am Daily Mass Historic Church
Después de la Misa diaria de las 7:00 am
Iglesia Histórica
Or by Appointment: (717)-334-3919
O por Cita: (717)-334-3919
What is Confession?
The Sacrament of Penance, also called Confession or Reconciliation, restores us to God’s grace, reconciles us to God, and allows us to join “with him in an intimate friendship”, which has been damaged by the results of our sin (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1468). Not only are we reconciled to God, but also to the Church. The Catechism says, “sin is before all else an offense against God, a rupture of communion with him. At the same time it damages communion with the Church. For this reason conversion entails both God's forgiveness and reconciliation with the Church, which are expressed and accomplished liturgically by the sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation” (CCC, 1440).
Jesus calls us to conversion of the heart: to return to God with all of our heart, and to turn from our sin and from evil. Each time we come to the confessional, we put our hope in God’s mercy, trust in his grace, and express our desire to change our lives (CCC, 1431).
If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9
Are you a baptized Catholic who hasn’t received First Confession or First Communion?
For Children:
Sacramental preparation and religious formation are necessary for children to receive the Sacrament of Penance. A two year preparation period is required in the Diocese of Harrisburg. First Penance is traditionally celebrated in the second grade, in January or February.
However, Sacramental Preparation classes for children, above the second grade, may be held on Sunday morning from 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. and would follow the PREP Calendar Schedule.
For additional information, please contact Debbie Holt, the Director of Religious Education at dholt@sfxcs-pa.org.
For Adults:
First Confession is received after preparation in our RCIA program, before a participant is received into full communion with the Catholic Church.
Please visit our RCIA page or contact Becca Dickerson, the Director of Evangelization at rdickerson@hbgdiocese.org.
When can I receive Confession?
Our priests are available after the Saturday 4:00 pm Vigil Mass for confessions at the Historic Church and Monday - Thursday after the morning 7:00 am Masses at the Historic Church.
They are also available by appointment: (717)-334-3919.
Do not hesitate to contact one of our priests to schedule a time
to receive Christ’s mercy in this sacrament.
Mass Times
Mass is celebrated both at the Historic Church
(25 W. High Street) and at the Xavier Center (465 Table Rock Road).
SUNDAY | DOMINGO
7:30 am (English) Historic Church
9:00 am (Bilingual) Xavier Center | Centro Xavier**
10:30 am (English) Historic Church
12:00 pm (Español) Centro Xavier
**Hybrid & Live Stream
MONDAY - THURSDAY | DE LUNES A JUEVES
7:00 am (English) Historic Church
WEDNESDAY | MIÉRCOLES
7:00 am (English) Historic Church
6:30 pm (Español) Iglesia Histórica
FRIDAY | VIERNES
12:00 pm (English) Historic Church
Adoration following Mass until 5:00 pm
SATURDAY | SÁBADO
4:00 pm (English) Historic Church