Confessions are offered every Saturday from 3:30-4:30 p.m. and Tuesday evenings from 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Everyone is encouraged to make a thorough examination of conscience before coming to the penance service. Set some time aside between Sunday and Thursday to go through the examination below.  Making a list of the areas you need to improve may be helpful to bring along for your individual confession.

How have I failed to worship God in private and communal prayer?

• Do I receive the sacraments regularly?
• Do I keep Sundays and holy days sacred?
• Do I value the sacrament of reconciliation? 
• Do I sincerely want to be set free from sin, to turn again to God and to begin a new life in deeper friendship with God?
• Have I tried to grow in my faith through prayer and the reading of the word of God?
• Do I pray daily?
• Do I trust God’s goodness and providence, even in times of crisis and doubt?

How have I failed to use the gifts of God in daily living?

• Do I respect my own body as a gift from God?
• Do I control my vices, including abuses of food and drink?
• Have I made good use of the gifts God has given me?
• Do I work too hard and too long? Do I neglect my family and health?
• Have I been lazy and given too much time to leisure or entertainment?

• In my household, have I contributed to the well-being and happiness of the rest of my family? Am I patient? Am I loving?
• Do I treat my parents [children] with respect?
• Am I ever angry with those I love?
• Have I been faithful in my relationships?
• Have I imposed my will on others without respecting their freedom and rights? Am I intolerant of other’s ideas or needs?
• Have I perpetuated racism, prejudices and stereotypes?
• Do I treat people with disabilities with respect?
• Have I indulged in reading, conversation, or entertainments that are contrary to Christian decency and respect for human life? 

• Do I share my time and my treasure with others in need?
• When I saw someone hungry, did I give them food?
• When I saw someone thirsty, did I give them drink?
• When I saw someone needing clothing, did I clothe them?
• When I saw a stranger, did I welcome them?
• When someone was homebound or imprisoned, did I visit them?
• When someone was ill, did I care for them?
• Do I fail to speak out on behalf of the poor or the oppressed?
• Do I use the earth’s resources wisely?

Our parish offers communal penance services in the seasons of Advent and Lent.  Many elements in these services are similar to when you go to individual confession. The prayers are simply recited as a community rather than individually.

Outline of service

• Opening hymn and prayer
• Liturgy of the Word (scripture readings and psalm)
• Homily
• Act of Contrition – prayed together
• Individual confession – 6-8 priests available

What to expect

1. Everyone will gather in church, with no assigned seating, just like on a Sunday. The first part of the service is jut like the first half of Mass with readings and a homily.

2. We will then kneel and pray the Act of Contrition together. 

3. When it is time for individual confessions, the priests will sit in various places around the church. You  stand in a line for a priest. When a priest is available, go up one by one for confession. Remember that you have already said the Act of Contrition, so the only thing needed is to name your sins, for which the priest will assign a penance.