Penitential Service

Our parish will celebrate our Lenten/Easter penitential service this evening at 7.00 am. This is a time of grace where we can come to celebrate and experience the mercy, love and compassion of God.

Here's a humorous depiction of what happens when we do not have the mediation of priests for this sacrament. The 'horror' of automatic confessions.

Update Your Faith:

What's the difference between Confession and Reconciliation?

Why do Catholics confess their sins to a priest?

Is Confession based on the Bible?

Is Confession by e-mail allowed?

I don't feel comfortable going to Confession -- what should I do?

If I have no mortal or venial sins to confess, should I still go?

How to Go to Confession

Many people feel awkward having to go to confession especially after a lapse of many years. Some may have even forgotten how to celebrate the sacrament. This short video gives a simple explanation of the preparation needed and steps in making a good confession. Always remember, God and the Church always celebrate when someone returns home to humbly confess that they have sinned and would need God's loving forgiveness.

Our parish will have its penitential service this coming Wednesday, December 16. The Lord invites you to come and celebrate his love and compassion!

That Catholic Show - I Confess

As penitential service for Visitation is just around the corner (December 16), it would be good to reflect on the significance of this sacrament.

Pope Invites Catholics to Confession

Notes 25 Years Since John Paul II's Document on Sacrament

VATICAN CITY, DEC. 2, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI today encouraged the faithful -- and particularly priests -- to trust in God's goodness and approach the sacrament of confession.

The Pope spoke of this sacrament today as he concluded the general audience in St. Peter's Square. In his customary greeting to youth, the sick and newlyweds, he observed that today marks the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul II's apostolic exhortation, "Reconciliatio et paenitentia."

The document "called attention to the importance of the sacrament of penance in the life of the Church," the Holy Father said. And he pointed to some "extraordinary 'apostles of the confessional,' tireless dispensers of divine mercy: Sts. John Mary Vianney, Joseph Cafasso, Leopold Mandic, Pio of Pietrelcina."

Turning to youth, he expressed his hope that the witness of these saints would be an encouragement "to flee from sin and to plan your future as a generous service to God and neighbor."

The Holy Father continued: "May it help you, dear sick people, to experience in suffering the mercy of Christ crucified. And may it solicit you, dear newlyweds, to create in the family a climate of faith and of mutual understanding."

Finally, the Pontiff expressed his wish that these saints -- "assiduous and faithful ministers of divine forgiveness" -- would be for priests especially and for all Christians "an invitation to always have confidence in God's goodness, approaching and celebrating with trust the sacrament of reconciliation."

Note:
Time of Penitential Services:
Church of Visitation, Seremban December 16th, 7.00 pm
Chapel of St. Theresa, Nilai December 13th, 5.00 pm
Gereja Maria Bonda, Kg Tekir December 13th, 3.00 pm