The Catholic Church encourages us all to regularly attend the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance, Confession). Through this sacrament, a Priest, as an agent of God, forgives sins committed after Baptism, when the sinner is heartily sorry for them, sincerely confesses them and is willing to make satisfactory amends for them. The peace of mind and soul which this sacrament imparts to us is one for which there is no substitute. It is a peace that flows from a certainty, rather than from an unsure hope, that our sins have been forgiven and that we are right with God. Baptism washed our souls “white as snow” and since God’s mercy is infinite and unwavering, through the sacrament of Reconciliation, He has provided us with a second chance (and a third and a fourth and a hundredth, if necessary) for the times we relapse into sin to return to union with Him.
Our Sunday Missal which we use at each weekend Mass, has an excellent form of Examination of Conscience on pages 669-671 which we can use to prepare ourselves to receive this sacrament. Our Archdiocese has put things into place this Lent as we prepare for our Lord’s death and Resurrection to make the sacrament very available to us. There are three Deanery Penance Services planned: Visitation of Our Lady—Monday March 5– 7PM Our Lady of Prompt Succor—Mon March 12—7PM Christ the King—Wednesday March 21– 7PM Confessions will also be heard here at St. Joseph the Worker on Wednesday, March 7, 14, & 21 from 5-6:30 PM as well as before each weekend Mass or by appointment.