Stations of the Cross during Lent: 

Noon at St. Mary’s Church

5:00 pm at Sacred Heart Church

Celebration of Mercy and Reconciliation: 5.00 PM, March 24^th– St. Mary’s, Dansville

A Catholic Lenten communal penance service is a liturgical gathering for reflection, scripture, and prayer that facilitates the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Just like individual confession, communal reconciliation services are a form of sacramental confession—an act in which the faithful confess their sins to God and subsequently receive absolution and forgiveness from Him. This is commonly held in parishes to prepare for Easter. Now that we are amid the Lenten season, Holy Family Catholic Community parishes will be offering opportunities to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It’s common knowledge that many people have pretty much eliminated this sacrament from their lives–perhaps not consciously but simply pushed it aside. Let’s face it. It’s not easy to admit our sins, and it’s even harder to confess them to another person, even if it is a priest. I can only assure you that every priest, including myself, must confess his sins to his brother priest. Some may say, “Well, I just go directly to God.” But my question is: Do you actually examine your conscience, sit down quietly, confess your sins to God and ask forgiveness? Or is this merely a way of saying, “Well, God knows I’m sorry!!!!  So, what is a communal reconciliation service and how does it differ from individual confession? The “communal” part of the service refers to a special reading from the Gospel and a brief homily, after which the penitents gathered reflect on their sins and prepare to give their confession (often referred to as an “examination of conscience”). Once the examination of conscience is complete, the community will pray the Act of Contrition together. The faithful will then line up to partake in individual absolution with a priest. Because the Act of Contrition has already been prayed publicly, those in attendance do not need to recite it again to the priest. Also, there may be a collective act of penance given to the whole community, rather than acts of penance given to each person. Communal reconciliation services are a way to experience God’s mercy and forgiveness alongside your larger community of faith.

According to Pope Francis “every time we confess — never forget this — there is a celebration in Heaven. May it be the same on earth!” From shame to celebration, from humiliation to joy. This does not come from Pope Francis, but from the Gospel, where we read of the father who anxiously awaits his sinful son, constantly scanning the horizon, and even before the son has time to humble himself by meticulously detailing all his faults, he embraces him, lifts him up and celebrates with him and for him. Those who go to Confession frequently, and do so with the desire to make progress, will notice the strides that they make in their spiritual lives.”  Every Catholic is however strongly encouraged to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Lent. The mercy and love of God is expansive, all-inclusive, and dynamic.  God has reconciled the world to himself in Christ who made his dwelling among us, bearing our human weakness and sins, calling us out of darkness into light.

Jesus began his work on earth by preaching repentance and saying: “Turn away from sin and believe the Gospel.” Forgiveness and reconciliation is at the heart of Jesus’ ministry and is central to the mission of the Church.  In the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, also called confession, we meet the Lord, who wants to grant forgiveness and the grace to live a renewed life in him. In this sacrament, he prepares us to receive him free from serious sin, with a lively faith, earnest hope, and sacrificial love in the Eucharist.

All Catholics in Holy Family Catholic Community are invited to a Communal Penance Service with an opportunity for individual absolution on Tuesday, 5.00 PM, March 24th, 2026, at St. Mary’s Church, Dansville. Let us all gather to experience the healing power of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In addition, I will be available to hear individual Confessions on the following dates: St. Joseph Church, Wayland, Wednesday, 10-1PM, March 25^th, that is after Mass: St. Mary’s Church, Dansville, Saturday, 1-4 PM March 28^th (just before Mass):” St. Pius Church, Cohocton, Sunday, 12-3PM March 29^th after Palm Sunday Mass. It is my sincere hope that this Lenten pilgrimage will make us renew personal prayer life, seek God’s forgiveness for past failings and mistakes and renew a commitment to the worship of the Church community. Make this Lent journey truly a time of renewal and rising to new life.  Fr. John

Mission Statement

To live the Great Commandment
Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord, your God with all your heart,
with all your soul, and with all your mind.’  And
‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
Matthew 22: 37-38