The sacrament of reconciliation is a most natural way to celebrate God’s forgiveness, healing and love. If you are as old as me, you might recall this sacrament being mostly about confession—it was like a dumping ground for our sins where we were forgiven and had to pay a toll. One of the great recoveries in our Christian history is the rediscovery of the meaning of this sacrament.

At Reconciliation we receive the gift of forgiveness and being in right relationship with others and with God. It is God who forgives sins. God forgives us the very moment we feel sorrow and realize we need forgiveness and healing. When we experience God’s forgiveness and love, we can be touched deeply, experiencing compassion, patience, understanding, forgiveness and peace.

Forgiveness is rarely a one-time event. So how often do you have to keep releasing your right to get even?

Until you stop feeling the hurt — then you’ll know you’ve forgiven that person.

Matthew 18:21-22 says, “Peter came to him and asked, ‘Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?’ ‘No, not seven times,’ Jesus replied, ‘but seventy times seven!’” (NLT).

Peter thought he was being pretty magnanimous. In Jewish law, you had to forgive a person three times, and after you’d forgiven them three times, that was it. You didn’t have to forgive them anymore. So Peter’s thinking, “The law says three times. How about if I double it, and add in one for good measure? Seven times? (God’s going to be really impressed with this!)”

And Jesus says, “Wrong! You’re not even close! How about 70 times seven!” He’s saying you have to just keep on doing it. You just keep on forgiving until the pain stops.

The Bible says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).

On Tuesday, our Year 3 students will be receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation. They have been preparing to receive this sacrament by reading, discussing and making connections with a number of scripture stories including Zacchaeus, The lost Sheep and The Prodigal Son. They have decorated candles using symbols of reconciliation. They have examined the reconciliation process which involves admitting they’ve made a wrong choice; being sorry for the hurt they have caused; asking for forgiveness and making up for their wrong doing; and understanding that God, in His mercy, has forgiven them and repaired their relationship.

We congratulate these students as they continue along their faith journey.

“When faced with the gravity of sin, God responds with the fullness of mercy. Mercy will always be greater than any sin, and no one can place limits on the love of God who is ever ready to forgive.”

- Pope Francis, Misericordiae Vultus, 3

As Advent is quickly approaching we are asked to embrace the true spirit of Christmas by giving to others and sharing our gifts. St Vinnie's is making up Christmas Hampers for families in need. Could you p[lease look at the list below and support our Christmas Hamper Drive as only St Louis' families can. If our St Vinnie's Can Drive is anything to go by, those families will be inundated with gifts this Christmas.

Year 1 Cluster News