Once again, we are offering all-day Confession availability, on Saturday, April 9. At least one priest will be available to hear confessions in church every hour of the day from 7am - 8pm, including during Masses.

"Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God's mercy for the offense committed against Him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion."

Catechism of the Catholic Church 1422
 

  

What if I can't make the normal confession times?

The priests are also available by appointment; please call the parish office. 

How to Go to Confession

Prepare to go to confession by thinking about your sins by making a good an Examination of Conscience (see below) and making a firm commitment, asking God’s help, not to sin again.

A Prayer Before Confession

Come Holy Spirit into my soul. Enlighten my mind that I may know the sins I ought to confess, and grant me your grace to confess them fully, humbly, and with a contrite heart. Help me to firmly resolve not to commit them again.

0 Blessed Virgin Mother of my Redeemer, intercede for me through the passion of Your Son, that I may obtain the grace to make a good confession. A11 you blessed Angels and Saints of God, pray for me, a sinner, that I may repent from my sins, and that my heart may be forever united with yours in eternal love. Amen
 

An excerpt from Venerable Bruno Lanteri,
founder of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary,
1759-1830: 

Examination of Conscience for a Good Confession, Based on the Ten Commandments 

1. I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD: YOU SHALL NOT HAVE STRANGE GODS BEFORE ME.

Did I fail to love God, to make God first in my life? To thank Him, trust Him, love Him as He deserves? Did I fail to pray? Have I doubted or denied my faith? Was I careless in saying my prayers? Do I give God time every day in prayer? Have I been involved in magic, ouija boards, Tarot cards, or the occult?

2. YOU SHALL NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE LORD YOUR GOD IN VAIN. 

Did I curse or swear? Did I use God's name in vain, lightly, carelessly, by blasphemy? Have I used foul language or jokes?

3. REMEMBER TO KEEP HOLY THE SABBATH.

Have  I deliberately missed Mass on Sundays or Holy Days of Obligation? Did I leave Mass early without a good reason? Have I been to Communion at least once a year? Did I receive Holy Communion in the state of serious sin? Have I been to confession recently? In any of my previous confessions, did I lie to or deliberately conceal something from the priest? Did I do unnecessary work on Sunday?

4. HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER.

Did I honor and obey my parents? Respect my brothers and sisters? Respect others with lawful authority, especially teachers? Have I talked back? Did I fail to help at home or to spend time with my family?

5. YOU SHALL NOT KILL.

Did I give in to feelings of anger or jealousy? Did I keep hatred in my heart? Did I fight, been a bad example, or cause scandal? Have I abused alcohol or drugs? Have I had or in any way permitted or encouraged abortion? Have I thought about suicide?

6. YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY.

Did I consent to impure glances? Passionate kisses? Sinful touches? Was I immodest in dress or behavior? Did I look at pornography, impure books, magazines, videos, or internet sites? Am I guilty of masturbation (impurity with self')? Fornication (premarital sex), adultery (sex with a married person), or contraception (by pills, devices, etc.)? Do I live chastely according to my state in life (married, single, ordained)? Do I avoid laziness, gluttony, idleness, and the occasions of impurity?

7. YOU SHALL NOT STEAL.

Have I stolen what is not mine? What or how much? Did I return it or make up for what I have stolen? Have I cheated on tests or homework? Did I waste me at work? Have I written graffiti (this steals nature's beauty)?

8. YOU SHALL NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS AGAINST YOUR NEIGHBOR.

Have I lied, gossiped? Talked about another behind his back? Do I always tell the truth? Did I reveal secrets that should have been kept confidential? Am I critical, negative, or uncharitable in my talk?

9. YOU SHALL NOT COVET YOUR NEIGHBOR'S WIFE.

Have I consented to impure thoughts? Have I encouraged them by stares, curiosity or impure conversations? Did I neglect to control my imagination or desire other people?

10. YOU SHALL NOT COVET YOUR NEIGHBORS GOODS.

Is my heart greedy? Am I jealous of what another has? Am I envious of others because I don't have what they have? Do I work, study and keep busy to counter, idle thoughts? Am I critical, negative, or uncharitable in my thoughts of others? Is my heart set on earthly possessions or on the treasures in Heaven?
 

From Formed.org (Parish subscription - create your own free account!)

• Forgiven Series

• "Confession" by Fr. Larry Richards
  
   

Viewable on YouTube

• Confession Is A Place of Victory by Fr. Mike Schmitz

• Confession by Fulton J. Sheen

• Confessing the Same Sins Over and Over Again by Fr. Mike Schmitz

• Examination of Conscience by Fr. Larry Richards

• I Confess by Life Teen

• Making a Good Confession by Fr. Mike Schmitz

• Mortal vs. Venial Sin by Fr. Mike Schmitz

• The Sacrament of Reconciliation by Bishop Robert Barron

• Why Confess My Sins to a Priest by Fr. Mike Schmitz