Jesus said to Peter, our first pope, “Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Mt 16:19) Jesus here gives Peter and his successors the ability to forgive sins. It makes us nervous to think of confessing our sins, but it is something healthy for us. We spend millions of dollars a year telling counselors our faults, and we pay them! Priests are willing to hear our sins for free! Not only that, but priests have the power to reconcile us back to God. It is the power of God working through the priest. It is not dependent on the priest or how holy he may or may not be.
Confession is God’s way of saying that He still loves you. When you hear the words of absolution, you are hearing God say His words of love, and this builds up your faith in Him. There is no sin too great for Jesus to forgive. His love is more powerful than any sin. Why not go today? (Link to confession times)
Who can go to confession? Any Catholic who is of age to receive the Eucharist and has sins to be rid of.
How do I go to confession? Click on the link above for confession times at our parishes. If you are not in Freeport, look up the local Catholic Church to find confession times. This is the format of confession:
First, we start with what we call an examination of conscience. This is where we discern our relationship with Jesus. Have we done something that has offended Him? We typically use the Ten Commandments for this. This is the foundation which we start with. There may be other criteria, like forgiveness, gossip, anger or greed. There are many different reflections to help us through this process each time we go to confession. It is suggested to go once a month. Here is an examination of Conscience you can use.
Here is an Examination of Conscience to help you confess your sins.
Begin Confession with:
1) In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (while making the sign of the cross)
2) Bless me Father for I have sinned, it has been _____ (state how long it has been) since my last confession.
3) Tell the sins you want to confess. Mortal Sins must be given in kind (what was done) and number (how many times). Venial sins are not necessary to say, but good to confess.
4) Finish with “For all these sins and for the sins I do not remember I ask for penance and absolution.”
5) Listen to the priest as he may give spiritual advice and then give you a penance.
6) Pray the Act of contrition:
O, my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended thee, and I detest all my sins because of thy just punishments; but most of all because I have offended thee, My God, who art all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of thy grace, to do my penance, to sin no more, and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen.
7) The priest will give absolution (the prayer where your receive God’s mercy). Make the sign of the cross when you hear him say, “… and I absolve you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
8) Tell the priest “thank you,” then you may leave the confessional and make sure you say the penance.
Confession times:
Saturdays 8:30-9:00am in St Joseph Church
Saturday 4:30-5:15pm in St Joseph Church
Tuesday Morning after Mass till 9am in St Mary Church
Tuesday evening at 4:30pm till 5:20pm in St Joseph Church
Thursday evening (Spanish) at 6pm in St Mary Church