The sacrament of Reconciliation is one of our Church’s best kept secrets! It is a place where you can truly experience the forgiveness and hope of Christ, through the words and in the person of the priest.
On Thursday, March 27, 7:00 pm, we will celebrate our Lenten Penance service (in Purcell). After a short prayer service and homily, three priests will be available to hear private confessions. Two of these – Fr. Rusty and Fr. Oby – can hear confessions in Spanish. Before celebrating the sacrament, each of us should prepare ourselves 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” (Catechism). There are various types of examinations of conscience but regardless of which one you use to prepare yourself for the Sacrament it should be rooted in Scripture - particularly, the Ten Commandments and Beatitudes, or in Catholic social teaching. If you need help in doing a good examination, there are several good guides for you online, including several on the U.S. Bishops’ own website (www.usccb.org). The first letter of John reads: “If we say, “we are without sin”, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.” (1 John 1:8-9). Please come on Thursday night, prepare yourself thoroughly, and feel the grace of forgiveness. And….shhh….don’t tell anyone. It’s our little secret. - - - Fr. Jim
On Thursday, March 27, 7:00 pm, we will celebrate our Lenten Penance service (in Purcell). After a short prayer service and homily, three priests will be available to hear private confessions. Two of these – Fr. Rusty and Fr. Oby – can hear confessions in Spanish. Before celebrating the sacrament, each of us should prepare ourselves 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” (Catechism). There are various types of examinations of conscience but regardless of which one you use to prepare yourself for the Sacrament it should be rooted in Scripture - particularly, the Ten Commandments and Beatitudes, or in Catholic social teaching. If you need help in doing a good examination, there are several good guides for you online, including several on the U.S. Bishops’ own website (www.usccb.org). The first letter of John reads: “If we say, “we are without sin”, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.” (1 John 1:8-9). Please come on Thursday night, prepare yourself thoroughly, and feel the grace of forgiveness. And….shhh….don’t tell anyone. It’s our little secret. - - - Fr. Jim
RSS Feed