The back of my car, which cluttered anyway, now has an alb and stole wadded up in a corner. This is the time of year that we priest type people go from parish to parish to assist each other with the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I like getting together with brother priests whenever I can. But it is also nice being the strange priest in another parish. Sometimes folks are embarrassed to go to their own pastors.
I was talking to an adult group about the Precepts of the Church the other night. Going to Reconciliation is still one of the top five we catholics ought to do. We spoke about the fact that while an annual confession, and times of mortal sin, were all that is reuired, it is a good practice to go to Reconciliation on a regular basis. Part of our faith journey, not only during Lent, but throughout the year, is to reflect on our moral and faith status. Reconciliation asks us to look closely at our relationship with God and others.
Statistics will say that less and less catholics are going to Reconciliation. Here at St Mary's we seem to have a healthy cliental. The two things that I think help that is that we preach and talk about Reconciliation often. We make it available to the grade school children and the youth on a regular basis. But we also have times outside of Saturday afternoon for confessions. This in and of itself is a good thing.
This is my favorite time of year. I love Lent. Reconciliation is an intrigal part of the conversion and discipleship process. I will be at a parish near you soon!
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