Confession and Reconciliation
The Sacrament (Sign) of Confession and Reconciliation is a lovely way of experiencing the ongoing change that we are engaged in during our lives dedicated to following Christ. While it is a moment to reflect on our personal sins and a duty to humbly present our lives and our experience of sin before God, the real focus of the experience is the rhythm of turning towards God with repentance in order to bring about a change of heart and mind. As Catholics we have a duty of sharing in this Sacrament of Forgiveness at least once a year at Easter and also at times when we have committed Mortal (grave) sin, we are obliged to seek God's forgiveness in this Sacrament as soon as possible. In normal circumstances, a Catholic who has committed Mortal Sin should not receive Holy Communion before receiving Sacramental Absolution.
This practice of Confession is not simply to dwell on our human sinfulness but makes us face the limitations that we experience in our following of God. St.Paul’s insight that 'the good we wish to do is often the thing we fail to do and the evil we wish to avoid the very thing that we do' sums up the need to examine our lives regularly. The conversation that we have is with Christ through the person of the priest.
Sharing in the Sacrament is the way in which we acknowledge the struggle of our life for perfection and the realisation that our life of Faith is in the context of the believing community. The priest represents both Christ and the Church in this encounter. The counsel and direction that the priest may give is to help us redirect our life where it has not fulfilled the spiritual potential that we might have due to sin.
Never worry about what any priest might think of you or be embarrassed. You are not speaking to him but to Christ Himself. The priest represents both Christ and the Believing Community and, like Christ, the priest has heard most things about human nature before. The priest is trained to give to God what he hears under the absolute seal of the Confessional and will never repeat what you say (even back to you yourself unless you ask to discuss it further at a later time). The joy of this Sacrament of Healing and Forgiveness is very valuable for our peace and sharing in the Sacrament of Penance and Absolution is very important.
A priest is available before or after Holy Mass for Confessions or at mutually convenient times.
If you need a little more help, or haven't been to Confession for a long time, then click here for a good Guide for Confession and an examination of conscience. Or take a look at the short films by Busted Halo below..... Or do both!!!
This practice of Confession is not simply to dwell on our human sinfulness but makes us face the limitations that we experience in our following of God. St.Paul’s insight that 'the good we wish to do is often the thing we fail to do and the evil we wish to avoid the very thing that we do' sums up the need to examine our lives regularly. The conversation that we have is with Christ through the person of the priest.
Sharing in the Sacrament is the way in which we acknowledge the struggle of our life for perfection and the realisation that our life of Faith is in the context of the believing community. The priest represents both Christ and the Church in this encounter. The counsel and direction that the priest may give is to help us redirect our life where it has not fulfilled the spiritual potential that we might have due to sin.
Never worry about what any priest might think of you or be embarrassed. You are not speaking to him but to Christ Himself. The priest represents both Christ and the Believing Community and, like Christ, the priest has heard most things about human nature before. The priest is trained to give to God what he hears under the absolute seal of the Confessional and will never repeat what you say (even back to you yourself unless you ask to discuss it further at a later time). The joy of this Sacrament of Healing and Forgiveness is very valuable for our peace and sharing in the Sacrament of Penance and Absolution is very important.
A priest is available before or after Holy Mass for Confessions or at mutually convenient times.
If you need a little more help, or haven't been to Confession for a long time, then click here for a good Guide for Confession and an examination of conscience. Or take a look at the short films by Busted Halo below..... Or do both!!!
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