ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH
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Penance (Reconciliation)

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The Catholic Sacrament of Reconciliation (also known as Penance, or Penance and Reconciliation) has three elements: conversion, confession and celebration. In it we find God's unconditional forgiveness; as a result we are called to forgive others. The Sacrament of Penance  is one of the seven sacraments recognized by the Catholic Church. Catholics believe that all of the sacraments were instituted by Jesus Christ himself. In the case of Confession, that institution occurred on Easter Sunday, when Christ first appeared to the apostles after his Resurrection. Breathing on them, he said: “Receive the Holy Spirit.

The Marks of the Sacrament
Catholics also believe that the sacraments are an outward sign of an inward grace. In this case, the outward sign is the absolution, or forgiveness of sins, that the priest grants to the penitent (the person confessing his sins); the inward grace is the reconciliation of the penitent to God (which is why the sacrament is also sometimes called the Sacrament of Reconciliation).

The Purpose of Confession
That reconciling of man to God is the purpose of Confession. When we sin, we deprive ourselves of God’s grace. And by doing so, we make it even easier to sin some more. The only way out of this downward cycle is to acknowledge our sins, to repent of them, and to ask God’s forgiveness. Then, in the Sacrament of Confession, grace can be restored to our souls, and we can once again resist sin.

Why Is Confession Necessary?
Non-Catholics, and even many Catholics, often ask whether they can confess their sins directly to God, and whether God can forgive them without going through a priest. On the most basic level, of course, the answer is yes, and Catholics should make frequent acts of contrition, which are prayers in which we tell God that we are sorry for our sins and ask for His forgiveness.

But the question misses the point of the Sacrament of Confession. The sacrament, by its very nature, confers graces that help us to live a Christian life, which is why the Church requires us to receive it at least once per year. Moreover, it was instituted by Christ as the proper form for the forgiveness of our sins. Therefore, we should not only be willing to receive the sacrament, but should embrace it as a gift from a loving God.


Confession at St. John is held on Saturdays 4:00 - 5:00 pm.
​or by appointment.


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And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. (John 20:22)
© 2018 St. John the Baptist Catholic Church,
​Monroe, Michigan 48161.
​All rights reserved.
Rev. David Burgard, Pastor
511 S. Monroe Street, Monroe MI 48161
734-241-8910
​734-241-1943 (fax)
Interim Office Hours
Monday  |  9 am-4 pm (closed for lunch from Noon to 1 pm
Tuesday  |  9 am-3 pm
Thursday  |  9 am-3 pm
The office is closed on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
  • Welcome
    • Mass Times
    • Map & Directions
  • Parish Life
    • Christian Service
    • Evangelization
    • Finance
    • Parish Pastoral Council
    • Stewardship
    • Worship
    • Ministries >
      • Art & Environment
      • Eucharistic Minister
      • Lectors
      • Music Ministry
      • Ushers
      • Bereavement
      • Faith Formation
      • Garden Guardians
      • Hospitality/Greeters
    • Altar Servers
    • History & Mission
    • Parish Directory
  • Sacraments
    • Annointing of the Sick
    • Baptism >
      • Infant/Child Baptism
    • Confirmation
    • Eucharist
    • Holy Orders
    • Marriage
    • Penance (Reconciliation)
    • Vocations
  • Let's Connect
    • Get Involved
    • Calendar
    • Photo Gallery
    • Map & Directions
    • Catholic Links
    • Catholics Come Home
  • Parents & Children
    • Catholic Schools >
      • Elementary (MCES)
      • High School (SMCC)
    • CYO
  • Bulletin
  • Contact Us
  • RCIA