Come to the Sacrament of Reconciliation - March 27, 2022

This weekend we get the gospel reading of Jesus telling us the Parable of the Prodigal Son. We have all been prodigal sons or daughters who sinned against our Father and distanced ourselves from God. But now is the time to come back, and going to the Sacrament of Reconciliation is THE way to do it. It truly is a Sacrament about God’s mercy and compassion that brings joy to us and to God. The Father is waiting for us just like the parable:

 

So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began. (Luke 15:20–24)

 

If it has been a long time since you’ve been to confession, no worries. You really just need to show up and know at least the biggest sins that you want to bring to God. You can make a list or use a examination of conscience or phone app to help you. The words that people normally say are not essential, but it is pretty simple. Start with, “Bless me father for I have sinned. My last confession was…say about how long ago…and these are my sins….” After that it all flows. One does pray the Act of Contrition prayer at the end, so feel free to bring that, but we also pray it together at penance services or have copies in the confessionals you can read. 

 

When to go? During Lent, confession will be available in the churches throughout the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas on Wednesday evenings, from 6-7pm. Here at Prince of Peace we have Wednesdays during Lent 12-1pm & 6-7pm, and then Saturdays 3:30-4:30pm. Or we priests are happy to help if you ask us outside of this or make an appointment. In addition there will be opportunities at parish Communal Penance Services the week of April 3-10.

 

3pm @ Cure’ of Ars, Queen of the Holy Rosary-Overland Park, St. Agnes

7:30pm @ St. Paul’s

 

7pm @ Holy Cross, Holy Trinity, Holy Spirit, St. Michael

 

7pm @ Good Shepherd, Prince of Peace, Ascension

 

7pm @ St. Joseph, Divine Mercy, Sacred Heart-Shawnee, St. Pius X

 

3pm @ Queen of the Holy Rosary-Wea, St. Ann, St. John Paul II, 3pm

7pm @ Nativity

 

I’ll conclude with words from our 2nd reading of Sunday, St. Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians:

 

And all this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting their trespasses against them and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. So we are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:18–20)

 

Peace,