Sacrament of Reconciliation

"for god so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that those who beleived would not die but have eternal life."   john 3:16

While the healing of the whole human person must provide for people's bodily well-being, there is an even greater need to heal the consciousness, imagination, emotions, and desires of persons, that is to heal people as people.

"Forgiveness of sins" needs to be understood more accurately in terms of what God does and to be undersood more accurately in terms of the human need for forgiveness. 

There are four steps in the Sacrament of Reconciliation:

1. We feel contrition for our sins and a conversion of heart to change our ways.
2. We confess our sins and human sinfulness to a priest.
3. We receive and accept forgiveness (absolution) and are absolved of our sins.
4. We celebrate God's everlasting love for us and commit to live out a Christian life.