COME TO CONFESSION THIS LENT!

All 82 parishes in Fairfield County are open!

Tuesday Nights

February 28   March 20
March 6   March 27
March 13   April 3

7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Find the parish nearest to your home or your job


Questions?  Comments?
Please contact:
Carmela Setti
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Office for Pastoral Services
Diocese of Bridgeport
238 Jewett Avenue
Bridgeport, CT  06606
ph: 203-416-1440
fx: 203-373-1418



Prayer cards can be downloaded below or ordered (free of cost) by contacting Carmela in the Office for Pastoral Services: e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 416-1440. Thank you.


Lenten Confession Campaign Prayer Card: English
Lenten Confession Campaign Prayer Card: Spanish
The Rite of Reconciliation: Steps to follow in Confession • For Adults
For Young Teens, Age 11-13 • For Teens, Age 14 and older • Lectio Divina on the Prodigal Son


The Rite of Reconciliation: Steps to follow in Confession

RITE OF
RECONCILIATION

1. The priest gives 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 weeks, months or years) ago.”

3. Confess all of your sins
to the priest. (If you are unsure or uneasy, tell him and ask for help.) When you have finished,
let the priest know.
You can use these words:
"I am sorry for all these sins and for
any that I cannot now remember."

4. The priest assigns a penance
and may offer advice.

5. Say an Act of Contrition, expressing your sorrow
for your sins:

"O my God, I am heartily sorry
for having offended you,
and I detest all my sins because
of your just punishments,
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 sin no more and to avoid
the near occasions of sin.
Amen."

6. The priest, acting in the person
of Christ, then absolves you
from your sins.

RITO DE LA RECONCILIACIÓN

1. El Sacerdote da una bendición
o un saludo inicial.

2. Haga la Señal de la Cruz
y diga "perdóname Padre porque he pecado. Mi última confesión fue hace ... (decir semanas, meses o años)."

3. Confiese todos sus pecados
al Sacerdote. (Si está en duda o
incomodo, pídale ayuda al Sacerdote). Dígale al Sacerdote cuando
haya terminado. Lo pueda hacer usando estas palabras:
"Me arrepiento de estos pecados
y de aquellos que me he olvidado."

4. El Sacerdote otorga una penitencia y puede también dar algún consejo.

5. Diga un Acto de Contrición, expresando el dolor de corazón
por los pecados cometidos:

"Dios mío, me arrepiento de todo corazón de todo lo malo
que he hecho y de lo bueno que
he dejado de hacer; porque pecando te he ofendido a ti, que eres el sumo bien y digno de ser amado sobre todas las cosas. Propongo firmemente, con tu gracia, cumplir
la penitencia, no volver a pecar y evitar las ocasiones de pecado.
Perdóname, Señor, por los méritos
de la Pasión de nuestro
Salvador Jesucristo.
Amén."

6. El Sacerdote, actuando en la persona de Cristo, absuelve
sus pecados.

 



For Adults

k

The Knights of Columbus have generously donated 100,000 copies of A Guide to Confession,written by Bishop William E. Lori when he was an Auxiliary Bishop in the Archdiocese of Washington.

This pamphlet lists the steps on how to go to Confession, and includes an Examination of Conscience that should be undertaken in preparing for Reconciliation.

In the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession), we encounter Jesus Christ, who after rising from the dead breathed the Holy Spirit on his Apostles — the first priests — and gave them the power to forgive sins in his name (Jn 20:23). The Heart of Christ burns with love for us and he wants us to experience his immense and unfathomable mercy by confessing our sins and receiving his forgiveness. This Sacrament gives us the consolation of God’s pardon and strengthens our relationship with Christ and His Church.

Copies are available in all parishes and can also be downloaded below.

If you would like to receive a hard copy of the pamphlet, free of cost, please contact Carmela in the Office for Pastoral Services at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or (203) 416-1440.

 

f   Download "A Guide to Confession"



For Young Teens, Age 11-13

y

Reconciliation (also known as Confession) is a sacrament that was instituted by Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. The Lord gave the Apostles (the first priests) the power to forgive sins.

Every time you go to Confession, you will have the opportunity to encounter the unconditional mercy of God, who always offers repentant sinners forgiveness.

After absolution and the fulfillment of your penance, you will have a deep experience of the gift of reconciliation with God and the Church. Not only will you experience freedom from all that is evil, but you will also receive the grace that will strengthen you in your efforts to live an authentic and life-giving friendship with Christ.

I pray that by the frequent reception of this Sacrament, you may become ever stronger witnesses of the love of Christ
in the world today.

—Preface by Bishop William E. Lori


To order copies, please contact Sr. Erika Scheelje, Director of Youth Ministry at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or (203) 416-1449.

f   Download "A Guide to Reconciliation for Young Teens"



For Teens, Age 14 and older

t

Reconciliation (also known as Confession) is a
sacrament that was instituted by Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. The Lord gave the Apostles (the first priests) the power to forgive sins.

Every time you go to Confession, you will have the opportunity to encounter the unconditional mercy of God, who always offers repentant sinners forgiveness.

After absolution and the fulfillment of your penance, you will have a deep experience of the gift of reconciliation with God and the Church. Not only will you experience freedom from all that is evil, but you will also receive the grace that will strengthen you in your efforts to live an authentic and life-giving friendship with Christ.

I pray that by the frequent reception of this Sacrament, you may become ever stronger witnesses of the love of Christ
in the world today.

—Preface by Bishop William E. Lori


To order copies, please contact to Sr. Erika Scheelje, Director of Youth Ministry at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or (203) 416-1449.

f   Download "A Guide to Reconciliation for Teens"



Lectio Divina on the Prodigal Son

Lectio Divina is an ancient prayer method practiced extensively throughout the centuries by Catholics. It is a slow, contemplative prayer with Scripture, enriched and guided by the wisdom of the Tradition of the Church. This prayer enables the person praying to listen attentively and meditatively to a specific passage of the living Word of God.

Prepare spiritually for the Lenten Confession Campaign by praying the Lectio Divina on the Prodigal Son:

f   Lectio Divina on the Prodigal Son