The Valley Catholic
In the diocese
Lent kicks off The Light Is On For You
Campaign in the Diocese of San Jose
By Liz Sullivan
The Catholic Church is opening up
its doors in the Diocese of San Jose.
Beginning February 25 and ending
April 1, all 54 parishes in the Diocese
will be open for the Sacrament of Reconciliation on the Wednesdays of Lent
from 6-8 pm.
The idea for the campaign, known
as The Light Is On For You, came out
of the Council of Priests after seeing
the success in other dioceses, such as
Washington, D.C., Chicago and Boston.
“Our goal is to welcome back Catholics who have been away from the
Church ” said Father Joe Kim, who
leads the Office of Evangelization .
“One of the greatest gift Jesus gave
our Church is this sacrament which we
‘Our goal is to welcome back
Catholics who have been
away from the Church.
One of the greatest gift
Jesus gave our Church is
this sacrament which we
want to offer to those who
are seeking spiritual healing,
freedom and light.’
want to offer to those who are seeking
spiritual healing, freedom and light.”
The campaign gets its name from
the light above the confessional booth
but is also a symbol of the hospitality
of the Church.
“Maybe this is a chance for people
to come back to the church for a second
or third time,” said Kim. “We just want
them to come back and we are asking
everyone to extend that invitation.”
The Wednesday night offering is in
addition to the typical Saturday confessionals that most parishes host.
Father Kim said the campaign was
approved by Diocese of San Jose Bishop
Patrick J. McGrath after consulting with
the priests and pastors throughout the
Diocese.
“We want to take advantage of the
awareness the Catholic Church has
received from the works of Pope Francis,” said Kim. “It is all about reaching
out and opening our doors. This is an
invitation to the world.”
On commenting on the Sacrament
of Reconciliation, Pope Francis said
in a homily on April 7, 2013, “God is
indeed waiting for you; he asks of you
only the courage to go to him. Even if
we are sinners, we are what is closest
to his heart.”
For more information about the
campaign, visit www.dsj.org/light.
February 3, 2015
3
How to Go to Confession
Reconciliation may be face-to-face or anonymous, with a screen between
you and the priest. Choose the option that is the most comfortable for you.
1.
The priest gives you a blessing or greeting. He may share a
brief Scripture passage.
2.
Make the Sign of the Cross and say: “Bless me father, for I
have sinned. My last confession was...” (give the number of
weeks, months or years).
3.
Confess all of your sins to the priest. The priest will help
you to make a good confession. If you are unsure about
how to confess or you feel uneasy, just ask him to help you.
Answer his questions without hiding anything out of fear
or shame. Place your trust in God, a merciful Father who
wants to forgive you.
4.
Following your confession of sins, say: “I am sorry for these
and all of my sins.”
5.
The priest assigns you a penance and offers advice to help
you be a better Catholic.
6.
Say an Act of Contrition, expressing your sorrow for your
sins. The priest, acting in the person of Christ, then absolves
you from your sins.
Act of Contrition
My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong
and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above
all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more,
and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered
and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy. (Rite of Penance, no. 45)
www.dsj.org