sacrament of reconciliation

A Time for Healing

In This Reconciliation

Janet Vogt

By the grace of forgiveness,

by the wisdom of your truth,

by the comfort of your presence,

we shall learn to follow you.

In this reconciliation,

May our lives be made anew.

Grant us peace, holy Lord,

Grant us peace.

Though not worthy to receive you,

you receive us as your own.

Though we wander far away from you,

you always call us home.

In this moment of forgiveness,

you have made your love be known.

Grant us peace,

holy Lord, grant us peace.

Forgive us Lord.

Forgive us, Lord.

Forgive our sins,

Forgive our deeds.

Forgive our words,

Forgive our hearts.

With love outpoured,

forgive us Lord.

Forgive us Lord.

Forgive us, Lord.

Forgive our sins,

Forgive our deeds.

Forgive our words,

Forgive our hearts.

With love outpoured,

forgive us Lord.

By the grace of forgiveness,

by the wisdom of your truth,

by the comfort of your presence,

we shall learn to follow you.

In this reconciliation,

may our lives be made anew.

Grant us peace, holy Lord,

Grant us peace.

Grant us peace, holy Lord,

Grant us peace.

Welcome!

In our Catholic Tradition, let us begin + In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Father: May the grace of the Lord Jesus the Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all!

WHAT IS THIS SACRAMENT CALLED?

· It is called the sacrament of conversion because it makes sacramentally present Jesus' call to conversion, the first step in returning to the Father5 from whom one has strayed by sin.

· It is called the sacrament of Penance, since it consecrates the Christian sinner's personal and ecclesial steps of conversion, penance, and satisfaction.

· It is called the sacrament of confession, since the disclosure or confession of sins to a priest is an essential element of this sacrament. In a profound sense it is also a "confession" - acknowledgment and praise - of the holiness of God and of his mercy toward sinful man.

· It is called the sacrament of forgiveness, since by the priest's sacramental absolution God grants the penitent "pardon and peace."

· It is called the sacrament of Reconciliation, because it imparts to the sinner the love of God who reconciles: "Be reconciled to God." He who lives by God's merciful love is ready to respond to the Lord's call: "Go; first be reconciled to your brother."

WHO CAN RECEIVE?

In our National Catholic/Old Catholic belief, anyone can receive. The Sacraments are not something to be doled out or earned. All are free to receive. They are gifts and certainly in this time, gifts that are more needed than ever. Sacraments are the love God pours out for us, visibly, empowering us with the invisible -- grace.

Let’s take just a moment to prepare ourselves. Close your eyes.

EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE

Let's listen for the voice of God.

For too long we have looked at examination of conscience as a mere exertion of effort necessary to come up with a grocery list of sins. Rather, it should be part of the rhythm of our daily lives on our way toward maturity. It is not so much looking at the things we do, but rather, at the person who does them. Each of us is a relational and responsible person, and it is within this context that we grow further toward or away from our goal - Christ.

Think of yourself as a person

Do you accept yourself with your good and bad points? Do you share yourself with others?
Do you realize you have been called by, loved by God in a unique way?
Do you treat others with dignity and respect? Do you use your sexuality irresponsibly or selfishly?
Do you exploit others for your own pleasure?

Think of yourself as a husband or wife

Do you strive for understanding and communication with your spouse in order to be one spirit as planned by God?

Think of yourself as a father or mother

Do you give your children yourself, your time, your abilities?
Do you correct them when they are wrong, praise them when you should, instruct them with gentleness and patience?
Are you aware of your responsibility to guide them in the faith by your words and actions?
Do you apologize and admit when you’re wrong and they’ve been right?

Think of yourself as an adult child

Do you realize that the command to “honor your father and mother” applies to you (as it does to your children) if you are blessed to still have your parents?

Think of yourself as a neighbor

Do you realize that your neighbor is your brother and sister?
Do you try to be helpful when you know there is a need?
Do you respect your neighbor’s rights and allow them to be persons?
Do you make judgments about people based on their appearance or color? Sexual orientation or identify? Religious affiliation? Politics?
Do you harbor prejudice in your heart?

Think of yourself as an employee, as an employer

Do you give your employer all of your time during the hours s/he is paying you, realizing that “stealing time” is the same as stealing?
Do you give your employer your full efforts and concentration during working hours?
Do I pay a just wage? Do I provide adequate working conditions?

Think of yourself as a member of the world community of the family of God

Do you sufficiently reflect on the responsibility you have to be concerned about the other members of this family who are suffering from poverty, prejudice, unfair labor practices, unjust housing laws, discrimination, and other various causes?
Do you take it as a responsibility to consider the morality involved in issues like all phases of life (birth, growing up, elderly, imprisoned), denial of rights to migrant workers, corruption in political or economic structures?
Do you take it as your responsibility to be informed about current events and to listen with open minds and hearts to those holding different positions?

Think of yourself in direct relationship with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit?

Do you make the effort to spend some time with them each day, even if it’s just to say “good morning” or “thanks?”
Do you seek to know them better in whatever way suits you best?
Do you allow them to give often to you in the gifts of the sacraments? Especially of Eucharist and Penance?

Now I ask you to begin

INDIVIDUAL: “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been [give days, months, or years] since my last confession.”

FATHER: Now call to mind what you would it is that you would like to confess to God. It’s just you and Him! It’s your time to speak to them! I’ll play some music in the background as you confess your sins – wherever you are.

Mercy on Me

Sarah Hart

Lord have mercy on me.

For whatever I have done,

For whatever I have

I have failed to do,

In turning my heart away from yours;

Forgive me.

Lord have mercy on me.

Fill me with humility,

Fill me with humility

A word of contrition for my sin.

Unburden my soul

With kindest grace;

Absolve me.

Lord have mercy on me.

Have mercy on me.

You give me a heart that’s clean;

Your pardon releases me to sing.

My spirit, redeemed

by love alone;

Renew me.

Lord have mercy on me.

Have mercy on me.

Lord have mercy on me.

INDIVIDUAL: “I am sorry for these and all my sins.”

PENANCE: Father Tom will propose an act of penance. The penance might be prayer, a work of mercy, or an act of charity. He might also counsel you on how to better live a Christian life.

ACT OF CONTRITION: Pray after me:

My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy.

ABSOLUTION: Fr. Tom will extend his hands and pronounce the words of absolution.

Father of mercies,
through the death and the resurrection of his Son
has reconciled the world to himself
and sent the Holy Spirit among us
for the forgiveness of sins;
through the ministry of the Church
may God give you pardon and peace,
and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the + Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

INDIVIDUAL: Amen

FR. TOM: “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good.”

ALL: “His mercy endures for ever”

Christ, Be Our Light

Song by Bernadette Farrell

Longing for light, we wait in darkness
Longing for truth, we turn to You.
Make us Your own, Your holy people
Light for the world to see.