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Baptisms are scheduled by appointment. Please call the Rectory for the next available date. To aid in your planning, baptisms are scheduled on any Sunday at 1:30 except the second Sunday of the month when the pre-baptism program is conducted in the church.

The Pre-Baptism Program is offered in church on the second Sunday of the month at 1:30 p.m. This required program, for first time parents, covers the spiritual benefits and responsibilities of the Sacrament of Baptism. Those parents considering baptism for their children, please call the rectory at 377-0928 to make an appointment.

RECONCILIATION

The sacrament of Reconciliation is available Monday through Saturday, 8:30 am - 8:50 am and on Saturdays from 2:45 pm - 3:45 pm.

1) Preparation:
Arrive at the church when confessions are being heard. Say a brief prayer asking Our Lord to help you make a good confession. Then think of what sins you would like to tell the priest when you are in the Confessional (Confession Room).

2) Enter the Confessional:
When the Confession Room is available, go inside and close the door. Make the choice to either talk to the priest through the screen or sit in front of the priest. Once you are settled, the priest will greet you with a greeting such as “God bless you.” Then you will begin your confession wih the following words: Words of the Penitent “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been (mention the time) since my last confession. These are my sins. Now you mention your sins. Always end by saying, "I am sorry for these and all the sins of my past life."

3) Words of the Confessor:
Now the priest will continue the conversation. He may ask you a question and/or give you advice. He will end the conversation by asking you to perform a penance which is done afterward. He then invites you to recite an Act of Contrition.

Examples of the Act of Contrition:
Select one of the following:1) O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offend You, and I detest all my sins because of Your just punishment, but most of all because they offend You, my God, who is 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 occasion of sin.2) Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.3) Wash me from my guilt and cleanse me from my sin. I acknowledge my offense; my sin is before me always.4) Father, I have against you and am not worthy to be called your child. Be merciful to me, a sinner.

4) Absolution by Confessor:
When you finish praying you Act of Contrition, the priest will say the Prayer of Absolution, which takes away your sins:God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.The penitent answers: Amen.

5) Leaving the Confessional
The priest will end with farewell words to you. You then leave the confessional and go perform your penance in the church.

Printed copies of the preceeding "Manner of Going to Confession" can be found in the literature racks at the side entrance to the church.