Reconciliation
Come back to me with all your heart, don't let fear keep us apart.

The Sacrament of Penance is an experience of the gift of God's boundless mercy.  Not only does it free us from our sins but it also challenges us to have the same kind of compassion and forgiveness for those who sin against us.  We are liberated to be forgivers.  We obtain new insight into the words of the Prayer of St. Francis: "It is in pardoning that we are pardoned."

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Monday-Friday
St. Patrick's Church, Woodbury 9:30am following the 9:00am Mass

Saturday:
St. Patrick's Church, Woodbury from 2:45pm to 3:45 pm  before 4pm Mass.


Please call the parish office, 856-845-0123, for Confession by appointment. 

Sacramental Preparation

Family Faith Formation
The Children will be prepared for the Sacraments of Reconciliation (Penance, Confession) and First Solemn Eucharist during a two year process in the Family Faith Formation program.  This preparation will be according to the Sacrament Guidelines of the Diocese of Camden.
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After the child is prepared by the Pastor, parents and catechists – all will come to an agreement if the child is ready to receive the Sacraments. It is the custom of this Parish to have the children receive these sacraments in the second grade (level).

What We Believe
​Those who approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance, Confession) obtain pardon from God's mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion. ( Catholic Catechism 1422 )

Since Christ entrusted to his apostles the ministry of reconciliation, bishops who are their successors, and priests, the bishops' collaborators, continue to exercise this ministry. Indeed bishops and priests, by virtue of the sacrament of Holy Orders, have the power to forgive all sins "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
Catechism of the Catholic Church(CCC), 1461

The Catholic Tradition Before going to confession, the penitent compares his or her life with the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, Seven Deadly Sins, and the example of Christ and then prays to God for forgiveness. | See Below: How to Go to  Confession

Confidentiality or Seal of the Confessional during the course of confession is absolute. This strict confidentiality is known as the Seal of the Confessional. Priests may not reveal what they have learned during confession to anyone, even under the threat of their own death or that of others. 
'Given the delicacy and greatness of this ministry and the respect due to persons, the Church declares that every priest who hears confessions is bound under very severe penalties to keep absolute secrecy regarding the sins that his penitents have confessed to him.' CCC, 1467

Why a Sacrament after Baptism?
1425 "You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God." One must appreciate the magnitude of the gift God has given us in the sacraments of Christian initiation in order to grasp the degree to which sin is excluded for him who has "put on Christ." But the apostle John also says: "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." And the Lord himself taught us to pray: "Forgive us our trespasses," linking our forgiveness of one another's offenses to the forgiveness of our sins that God will grant us.

1426 Conversion to Christ, the new birth of Baptism, the gift of the Holy Spirit and the Body and Blood of Christ received as food have made us "holy and without blemish," just as the Church herself, the Bride of Christ, is "holy and without blemish." Nevertheless the new life received in Christian initiation has not abolished the frailty and weakness of human nature, nor the inclination to sin that tradition calls concupiscence, which remains in the baptized such that with the help of the grace of Christ they may prove themselves in the struggle of Christian life. This is the struggle of conversion directed toward holiness and eternal life to which the Lord never ceases to call us.[CCC 1425-1426]
read more on Sacrament of Reconciliation from CCC

Helpful Links

How to Go to Confession

1. PREPARATION: Before going to confession, the penitent compares his or her life with the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, and the example of Christ and then prays to God for forgiveness.
   
2. GOING TO CONFESSION: After the priest welcomes you, both of you make the sign of the cross. Then you may wish to indicate facts about your life, the time of the last confession, difficulties in leading the Christian life, and anything else that may help the priest.
3. CONFESSION OF SINS AND THE ACT OF PENANCE: Confess your sins. The priest then offers suitable advice and imposes an act of penance or satisfaction, which may include prayer, self-denial, or works of mercy.
4. PRAYER OF THE PENITENT: Pray a prayer expressing sorrow for your sins and resolving not to sin again. Three  suggested prayers are given here: (1)& (2) Newer (3) Older Versions. 
   • My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.
     In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things.
     I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.
     Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy.
     
     
   • Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Lamb of God; you take away the sins of the world.
     Through the grace of the Holy Spirit restore me to friendship with your Father, cleanse me from every stain of sin in the blood you shed for me, and raise me to new life for the glory of your name.
     
     
   • O my God, I am heartily sorry for Having offended Thee, And I detest all my sins, Because I dread the loss of heaven, 
     And the pains of hell; But most of all because They offend Thee, my God, Who are all good and Deserving of all my love. 
     I firmly resolve, With the help of Thy grace To confess my sins, To do penance And to amend my life. Amen.
5. ABSOLUTION: The priest extends his hands over your head and pronounces the formula of absolution, making the sign of the cross over your head during the final words. You answer, ‘Amen.”
6. DISMISSAL: The priest dismisses you with the command to go in peace. Continue to express your conversion through a life renewed according to the Gospel and more and more steeped in the love of God.

What the Church teaches  on the  Sacrament of Reconciliation

God's Gift of Forgiveness: A Pastoral Exhortation on the Sacrament of Penance & Reconciliation: “Peace be with you!” With these words, the Risen Lord greeted his frightened Apostles in the Upper Room on the day of his Resurrection. They were troubled, anxious, and fearful—much like each one of us at some point in our lives. Christ repeated the words, “Peace be with you.”

Rediscovering the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation Are you seeking to recover your friendship with God? Has it been a while since your last confession? No matter how long it has been or what your questions may be, we invite you to join us on a journey to
Rediscover the Sacrament.

Examination of Conscience Before celebrating the Sacrament of Penance, one should prepare themselves with an examination of conscience.  An examination of conscience is a “prayerful self-reflection on our words and deeds in the light of the Gospel to determine how we may have sinned against God” (— Glossary, The Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Reconciled to Right Relationship, Called to Heal and Restore A short, two-page handout can help Catholics reflect on the social dimensions of the sacrament of Penance."