Reconciliation
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We celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation at the following times:
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With the encouragement of the priest and the grace of Christ, we can then go forth feeling "freer" and "lighter," and with greater resolve and strength, make things right with God and others.
Steps to a fruitful experience of the sacrament:
- Examine your conscience. Ask yourself how you have succeeded and failed in showing God's love to others. Click here for a sample examination of conscience.
- Choose a confession time. You may come to the parish during scheduled Confession times (see above) or you may make an appointment by calling the appropriate parish rectory office (St. Joseph – 516.374.0290, St. Joachim – 516.569.1845, Our Lady of Good Counsel – 516.239.0953
- Simple Procedure. If you are not familiar with the Penance ritual, the priest will guide you through it. You begin with the Sign of the Cross. The priest may read a short text from the Scripture, then he will invite you to confess your sins. He will encourage you and may counsel you, then will discuss with you a suitable penance. He will invite you to say a prayer of sorrow (or act of contrition.) You may use a prayer that you know, or the priest will provide one, or you may use your own words of sorrow. The priest will absolve you of your sins in the name of God and the Church, and send you forth to grow in God's love.
- Go forth! With God's grace and the encouragement of the Church, you can now "do penance" by making right the wrongs you have done, and by striving to live as the child of God that you are!
If you would like to read further about the sacrament, follow this link for a series of short, informative articles: www.americancatholic.org/Features/Sacraments/Reconciliation.asp
