Fr. Lucien Lindsey, parochial vicar of St. Mary on the Hill Parish in Augusta, died at his home on March 14 ^th after a long illness.  Fr. Lou, 80, was a retired Anglican Bishop, who was ordained to the Catholic priesthood by Bishop Hartmayer in 2013 on the 50 ^th anniversary of his ordination as an Episcopalian priest.  I had received Fr. Lou and his wife Jeannie into the Church and Jeannie has asked me to preach his funeral Mass on Monday.  But I will be back on the Island by 5:30pm on Monday for the Lenten Penance Service.  Fr. John Lyons and Msgr. Jim Costigan will also be available to hear confessions
 
One of the best spiritual practices during Lent is to celebrate the Sacrament of Confession.  Few Catholics enjoy going to Confession but this Sacrament offers us a wonderful opportunity to deepen our relationship with Christ and experience more deeply his love and mercy.  And one of the most powerful ways we can grow in our relationship to Christ is to humbly admit that our relationship is not everything that it could be; it is not everything that we would hope it to be.  So, a very basic Catholic practice that too many Catholics have avoided for far too long is to confess our sins and seek out God’s great mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  I am hoping that you will rise to the challenge and join us this Monday evening for the Lenten Penance Service and Adoration at 5:30pm.
 
We begin with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and immediately start celebrating the sacrament.  It would be nice to start off with a “crowd” but I realize not everyone will be able to make by 5:30.   Don’t worry as long as you are in line by 6:30, we’ll be happy to hear your confession. If it has been a while, please trust me when I tell you that as best as I can I try to allow only compassionate priests to hear confessions in our parish.  Part of that compassion comes in helping you to make a good confession especially if you have forgotten the “how” of confessing your sins.  You only need to be able to “name” your sins and the priest will be happy to lead you through the details of celebrating the Sacrament.  To be honest it's hard, maybe one of the hardest things in the world, to face up to whatever wrong you've done and ask for mercy. But that's why the relief, and spiritual growth, that comes from confession is so powerful. It is meant to feel like the crucifixion, but it ends with a new, healthy life — a resurrection.
 
Most people have a sense of their sins but before one goes to confession the Ten Commandments offer a good guide for an examination of conscience.  And perhaps the following questions will also help you prepare: 
 

• Do I pray to God every day? Have I thanked God for His gifts to me?
• Did I put my faith in danger through readings contrary to Catholic teachings?
• Did I take the name of God in vain? Did I curse or take a false oath?
• Did I miss Mass on Sundays or holy days of obligation through my own fault?
• Did I disobey my parents and lawful superiors in important matters?
• Did I steal or damage another's property? Have I been honest and just in my business relations?
• Have I been responsive to the needs of the poor and respected the dignity of others?
• Did I tell lies? Did I sin by calumny, or detraction of others? Did I judge others rashly in serious matters?

 
I always like confessing my sins face-to-face but some folks are more comfortable confessing anonymously, with a screen between themselves and the priest. Choose the option that is the most comfortable for you.
 
1. The priest gives you a blessing or greeting.
2. Make the Sign of the Cross and say: “Bless me father, for I have sinned. My last confession was…” (give the number of weeks, months or years).
3. Confess your sins to the priest. The priest will help you to make a good confession. If you feel uneasy, just ask him to help you.
4. Following your confession of sins, say: “I am sorry for these and all of my sins.”
5. The priest assigns you a penance and offers advice to help you be a better Catholic.
6. Say an Act of Contrition, expressing your sorrow for your sins. The priest, acting in the person of Christ, then absolves you from your sins.
 
Act of Contrition
God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you, and I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell; but most of all because they offend you, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of your grace to confess my sins, do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.
 
Perhaps, each penance should be specific to the individual confession, but don’t be surprised if I ask you to try to show up for the Parish Clean-up Day next Saturday.  Oh man, I am not sure if my Mom would have been a very compassionate confessor.  When I messed up as a youth, she put me to some serious work.  

Fr. Jerry Ragan