Reonciliations/Penance Service

CELEBRATE THE SACRAMENT OF
RECONCILIATION
Join us for our Lenten Penance Services on
Monday, March 11 at 7:00pm and/or
Monday, March 18 at 10:00am.   
There will be several priests available to administer the Sacrament.
The hour-long service will include prayer, music, Scripture, a brief homily, examination of conscience and approaching the priest for the absolution prayer.  All are encouraged to prepare for Easter in this meaningful, spiritual way. This communal form of the Sacrament of Penance can be especially helpful for those who have been away from the sacrament for some time.

BE NOT AFRAID
Confession Without Fear This Lent
     So often fear or anxiety is associated with the experience of the Church sacrament known as Penance, Reconciliation, or Confession. And this goes for persons of any age from childhood up through adulthood. This fear may well be one reason why so many do not receive the sacrament today.

     This is a shame because the sacrament of Reconciliation is really meant to celebrate God’s great mercy and our joy and gratitude for it. The spirit of the sacrament is meant to renew us in hope and motivate us anew in our efforts to live the way of Christ in the challenges of this world.

     We have planned TWO Lenten Penance Services this year in a way that, hopefully, dispels the usual fear and anxiety so often associated with Confession. The first service will be on Monday, March 11 at 7pm. The second service will be Monday, March 18 at 10am, shortly after the 9am Mass.

     This year the March 11 service at 7pm will include an examination of conscience for children and adults—individuals, couple and families. We will use a format similar to that which we developed recently for our First Confession children and their families.

     “Fear is driven out by the love of God.” (1 John 4:18) So, put aside all fear and come and celebrate the joy of knowing there is nothing we can do that will make God stop loving you.

 
Individual celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confessions) will be offered on Saturdays, February 17 & 24 and March 2, 9, 16, & 23 from 3:00pm to 3:30pm.  There are no individual Reconciliations on Holy Saturday, March 30.