The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) is administered every Saturday from 4 P.M. to 4:45 P.M. and on Wednesday evenings from 6.30 P.M. to 7 P.M. Also by appointment. Just call the rectory 610 543-1077. Don't fret about what to say. Examine your conscience. Just bring true sorrow for sin and ask the priest to help you express it. He will be a great help. Don't put off approaching this visible sign of the mercy that Jesus extends to you in this wonderful, peace-filled sacrament.
The confessional might not look like much. The priest might seem like any other man. But this is the avenue of grace that Jesus instructs us to plunge into. Reconciliation Weekend: Two of the most powerful days of my priesthood
By Father Jim Otto Former Assistant Pastor, St.Francis of Assisi
March 19th and 20, 1999 were two of the most powerful days of my priesthood. Many priests, both young and old, in the Archdiocese felt the same way. During these days, known as Reconciliation Weekend, over 100,000 Catholics celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Many of those who did had been away from this sacrament for 5, 10, 20 even 50 years. It is one of the greatest joys of the priesthood to be a minister of God's tender mercy for souls. It is an awesome and humbling thing to be a part of and watch miracles of grace. It is my hope and prayer that the miracles continue in the Sacrament of Reconciliation as we approach the New Millenium. Reconciliation is a powerful sacrament, a healing sacrament and at the same time it is a humbling sacrament. I am reminded of the army general, Naaman, in 2 Kings 5 who developed leprosy. At the time, this disease was a death sentence in which the victim would literally watch his body slowly rot away. In desperation, Naaman went to the prophet Elisha in hopes of obtaining healing. Through a messenger, Elisha instructed Naaman to wash in the Jordan River seven times in order to obtain healing. Naaman was indignant. Not having even seen the prophet directly and the much grander rivers in his own homeland, Naman angrily began the journey home. One of Naaman's companions reminded him of his plight and encouraged him to listen to the prophet since he had nothing to lose. Naaman yielded and plunged himself in the Jordan. When he did so, his diseased skin became soft as baby's skin and he was healed. Like Naaman, we are all born with a terminal disease -- sin. In Baptism, the disease is put into remission. When we later fall into sin, we once again stand in need of healing. Jesus invites us to plunge into the healing stream of mercy found in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The confessional might not look like much. The priest might seem like any other man. But this is the avenue of grace that Jesus instructs us to plunge into. Jesus said to his apostles on Easter Sunday, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you. Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained." (John 20:21-23). If you have been away from the Sacrament of Reconciliation for some time, I invite you during this very special moment of grace to return to this healing stream of God's grace. Come to our regularly scheduled confessions beginning an hour before Saturday's 5:00 P.M. Mass or call Father Riccio or myself for an appointment. As Saint Paul wrote, "Now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation." (2 Cor. 6:2)
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