The Best Week of the Year

Welcome to Holy Week everyone! We enter upon the Week that changed the world. “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). We are invited to watch Jesus Christ pour out His life and love for our redemption and salvation.

One of the great ways that we encounter the love of Jesus Christ is through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Page 5 has a list of all the extra times to go to Confession this week. However, this can be a difficult thing for many people, but the Church asks us to go to Confession at least once a year for our own good. As the Catechism says, “You shall confess your sins at least once a year.” We may find ourselves on one of two extremes, either: “How could the Lord possibly forgive me of my sins? They are too great.” Alternatively, someone may say, “I can’t think of any sins.” If we are struggling to think of our sins, remember the words of the Proverbs that the just man falls seven times a day (24:16). Below is an examination of conscience. It can be helpful to have an examination to prick our conscience.

• Did I deny God’s existence or my Catholic faith?
• Have I been involved with witchcraft, fortune telling Ouija boards, etc.?
• Did I fail to pray daily or neglect prayer for a long time?
• Did I skip Mass on Sunday/ Holy Day or receive Holy Communion while in a state of mortal sin?
• Did I arrive late or leave early for mass?
• Did I disobey or disrespect my parents or superiors?
• Did I neglect my duties as a parent, husband, or wife?
• Have I been honest, just and fair at work or school?
• Was I impatient or angry?
• Have I been envious, unkind, proud, jealous, revengeful, or hateful toward others?
• Have I used drugs or abused alcohol?
• Did I physically injure or kill anyone or hurt their reputation?
• Have I physically harmed myself or attempted suicide?
• Have I had an abortion, or helped/advised someone to have one?
• Did I willfully entertain impure thoughts?
• Have I viewed pornography (internet, TV, books)?
• Have I masturbated?
• Have I married outside of the Church or advised someone else to do so?
• Have I used artificial contraception/sterilization?
• Have I committed adultery or participated in same-sex activity?
• Have I cohabited before marriage?
• Have I stolen or encouraged someone to do so? (how much?)
• Have I cheated or encouraged someone to do so?
• Have I lied, gossiped, or revealed the faults of another?
• Have I been lazy or slothful?
• Have I overeaten and committed gluttony?
• Have I forgiven those who hurt me?
• Was I uncharitable in thought, word, or deed?
• Did I eat meat knowingly on the Fridays of Lent or Ash Wednesday?
• Did I receive Holy Communion without fasting for one hour or more from food and drink (water and medicine are permitted)?
• Did I make a bad Confession by deliberately not telling all the mortal sins I had committed?

Finally, you may have noticed that there are three Easter Masses happening at the same time next week. For the third year in a row, Fr. Eric Wood from the seminary will be helping us out. He has cycled through all the parishes. This year he will be at St. John and St. Lawrence. Please give him a warm welcome.

Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Sean Wilson