Tuesday, December 10
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Main Church & Commons

Several priests will be available throughout the day to hear your Confession.

A light soup supper will be served from 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM, available to all as long as supplies last.

Father John’s Pro-Tips for a Good Confession:

1. Use an “Examination of Conscience” before going—we have copies of these outside both crying rooms at OLG. Feel free to take one! It walks you through how to go to Confession, helps you remember what your sins are, and even has the Act of Contrition on it in case you don’t have it memorized.

2. It’s ok to write your sins down. This can help us to remember all the sins we want to confess, especially if it has been a while since we’ve gone to Confession.

3. Be bold, be brief, and be gone! When we go to Confession all we need to do is name our sins (and if it’s a grave sin, the approximate number of times it happened). We don’t need to give any background. Here is a good example of this: “I have gossiped at work, I have been unkind to my parents, and I have had too much to drink on one occasion.” That's it! That's all we have to do. Confessing in this way ensures that our sins are forgiven and that there’s enough time for everyone else in line to receive God’s mercy as well.

4. Confession is not spiritual direction. While it’s ok to ask the priest questions in Confession if we have them, and the priest may offer some advice on occasion, the confessional is primarily for receiving absolution and grace to live virtuously. If someone wants some counsel about something, they can always contact the priest and set up a meeting.

5. The priest is the garbage man—he’s just there to take out the trash. He’s not interested in or scandalized by what’s in the trash. He’s heard it all before! He’s just happy that another soul is freed from its sin.

6. Don’t be afraid. Confession is where we receive God’s love and mercy. I promise you’ll be glad you went.