I am always ready to respond when a person of another faith tradition questions me about why Catholics have the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  I am surpirsed, though, when I hear from a Catholic who wonders why they can't just bring their sins directly to God.  My answer is that we can and should have some kind of daily examination of conscience and then ask for God's forgiveness through an act of contrition.  And, we ought to also know that it is important to receive the forgiveness of the entire community of faith through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  The fact is that our sins and sinfulness does indeed affect the health of the Body of Christ, the community of believers, and we need the grace of God gives us in the Sacrament to heal us and make the community more healthy and whole.  The priest, in reconciling us represents both the Lord and the community of believers as he does when he visits the sick or baptizes a child or adult.  Of course, there are other benefits and blessings poured out on those who participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  The old saying, "confession is good for the soul" is so very true as it brings us peace as we "let it out" and leave it, or really them (my sins), behind us.  It helps, as well , to know that the priest is there not as "judge" but as "compassionate caregiver" to those who come to the Lord and His Church contrite, humble and hopefully eager to grow in virtue through the counsel of the priest and God's powerful grace.

Please plan to join your fellow parishioners in a celebration of Reconciliation this coming Thursday, at 6:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church.  I hope to have at least six priests present and eager to make us individually, and as a community, healthier in spirit and better prepared for the upcoming Paschal Triduum.