"Great changes in the celebration of penance have always been characterized by a shift in emphasis from one aspect of this complex experience to another. To simplify somewhat, we may say that penance had two main structures. For the Fathers penance was governed especially by the notion of satisfaction, that is, by the necessity of performing good works to expiate sins...From the Middle Ages down to our day the emphasis shifted to confession as a necessary condition for absolution...This reconciliation is realized through the conversion of the penitent to God in the Church, and the creative acceptance of the mercy of God realized in the ministry of the Church. The first aspect of reconciliation is the conversion of the sinner to God. While conversion does in fact consist in downsizing sin, it relates first of all not to sin, but to God. The Ordo explicitly cites the words of Pope Paul VI in the introduction: 'Penance is a personal religious act whose goal is love of the Lord and trust in Him!'"
(Michael J. Taylor. The Sacraments. Alba House Publications: New York; 1981, 217-219).

"Those who approach the sacrament of Penance 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."
(Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1422)

The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) is available on Saturdays at 4:30PM in St. Brigid Church and at 6 PMin St. Elizabeth Church.