Act of Contrition Prayer

Version One:
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and
I detest all my sins because of Thy just punishments,
but most of all because they offend Thee, my God,
Who art all-good and deserving of all my love.
I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin.

Amen         

Version Two:
O 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.

Amen

• Did I pay attention at Mass?
• Have I fooled around in Church?
• Did I say my prayers every day?
• Did I say mean things to my mom or dad?
• Did I always say "Thank You" to people?
• Am I hard to get along with (during school, at Grandma´s, at home?)?
• Did I do what my mom and dad told me to do? My teacher?
• Was I lazy around the house?
• Did I do my chores?
• Did I hurt others people´s feelings by calling them bad names?
• Have I started fights with my brothers and sisters at home?
• Have I blamed other people for things I do?
• Did I get other people into trouble?
• Do I hit people when I get mad?
• Have I forgiven people? Or am I holding a grudge?
• Have I cheated or been unfair in games?
• Did I refuse to play with someone for no good reason?
• Was I was lazy about my schoolwork?
• Did I fail to do my homework?
• Did I cheat in school?
• How many times did I lie to my parents? My teachers? My friends?
• Did I take anything that didn´t belong to me?
• Did I avoid medicine? Did I refuse to eat food I didn´t like?

II. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
Have I used the words "God" or "Jesus" in anger or irreverently?
Have I used foul or ugly language? Have I wished evil on another?

III. Remember to keep holy the Lord's day.
Have I missed Mass on Sunday or any holy day of obligation?
Do I arrive at church late or leave early?
Do I try to be reverent and pay attention during Mass?
Do I avoid unnecessary work on Sunday?
Do I make Sunday a day of prayer or rest?

IV. Honor your father and your mother.
Do I respect and obey my parents?
Have I dishonored or mistreated them by word or deed?
Am I willing to help around the house or must I be nagged a hundred times?
Do I try to get along with my brothers and sisters?
Am I a tattletale or bully?
Do I give a good example, especially to younger siblings?
Do I respect others in authority: priests, nuns, police, old people, baby-sitters?

V. You shall not kill.
Do I beat up others or hurt their bodies?
Do I say cruel things, or make fun of others to hurt their feelings?
Do I say mean things about others behind their backs?
Have I stopped speaking to anyone?
Do I encourage others to do bad things?
Do I try to love all people, born and unborn?

VI. You shall not commit adultery.
Do I treat my body and other people's bodies with purity and respect?
Do I look at television shows, movies, or pictures that are bad?
Am I modest in my speech and the clothes I wear?

VII. You shall not steal.
Have I taken things that were not mine from a store or another person?
Have I destroyed or misused another person's property for fun?
Do I return things that I borrow? In good condition?

VIII. You shall not commit false witness against your neighbor.
Am I honest in my school work?
Do I tell lies to make myself look good?
Do I tell lies to protect myself from punishment?
Do I tell lies that make another person look bad or get them in trouble?

IX. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.
Do I allow my parents to spend time with one another, or do I get jealous and want them to pay attention only to me?
Do I get mad when I have to share my friends?
Are there kids I will not play with or be mean to because they look different?

X. You shall not covet your neighbor's goods.
Am I jealous or envious of the things or abilities that others have?
Am I thankful to God and my parents for what they have given me?
Do I share the things I have with my family, friends and poor people?

We should…

1.     examine our consciences regularly and thoroughly;
2.     wait our turn in line patiently;
3.     come at the time confessions are scheduled, not a few minutes before they are to end;
4.     speak distinctly but never so loudly that we might be overheard;
5.     state our sins clearly and briefly without rambling;
6.     confess all mortal sins in number and kind;
7.     listen carefully to the advice the priest gives;
8.     confess our own sins and not someone else’s;
9.     carefully listen to and remember the penance and be sure to understand it;
10.     use a regular formula for confession so that it is familiar and comfortable;
11.     never be afraid to say something “embarrassing”… just say it;
12.     never worry that the priest thinks we are jerks…. he is usually impressed by our courage;
13.     never fear that the priest will not keep our confession secret… he is bound by the Seal;
14.     never confess “tendencies” or “struggles”… just sins;
15.     never leave the confessional before the priest has finished giving absolution;
16.     memorize an Act of Contrition;
17.     answer the priest’s questions briefly if he asks for a clarification;
18.     ask questions if we can’t understand what he means when he tells us something;
19.     keep in mind that sometimes priests can have bad days just like we do;
20.     remember that priests must go to confession too … they know what we are going through.

Q. What is a mortal sin? A. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines a mortal sin as follows:

Mortal sin destroys charity in the heart of man by a grave violation of God's law; it turns man away from God, who is his ultimate end and his beatitude, by preferring an inferior good to him." (C.C.C. # 1855)

• Mortal sin, by attacking the vital principle within us - that is, charity - necessitates a new initiative of God's mercy and a conversion of heart which is normally accomplished within the setting of the Sacrament of Confession." (C.C.C. # 1856)
• Mortal sin is a radical possibility of human freedom, as is love itself. It results in the loss of charity and the private of sanctifying grace, that is, of the state of grace. If it is not redeemed by repentance of God's forgiveness, it causes exclusion to make choices for ever, with no turning back. However, although we can judge that an act is in itself a grave offense, we must entrust judgment of persons to the justice and mercy of God." (C.C.C. # 1861)
• To choose deliberately - that is, both knowing it and willing it - something gravely contrary to the divine law and to the ultimate end of man is to commit a mortal sin. This destroys in us the charity without which eternal beatitude is impossible. Unrepented, it brings eternal death." (C.C.C. # 1874)

• Venial sin allows charity to subsist, even though it offends and wounds it." (To "subsist" means to "exist.") (C.C.C. # 1855)
• Venial sin constitutes a moral disorder that is reparable by charity, which it allows to subsist in us." (C.C.C. # 1875)
• One commits venial sin when, in a less serious matter, he does not observe the standard prescribed by the moral law,or when he disobeys the moral law in a grave matter, but without full knowledge or without complete consent." (C.C.C. #. 1862)
• Venial sin weakens charity; it manifests a disordered affection for created goods; it impedes the soul's progress in the exercise of the virtues and the practice of the moral good; it merits temporal punishment. Deliberate and unrepented venial sin disposes us little by little to commit mortal sin. However venial sin does not set us in direct opposition to the will and friendship of God; it does not break the covenant with God. With God's grace it is humanly reparable. 'Venial sin does not deprive the sinner of sanctifying grace, friendship with God, charity, and consequently eternal happiness.'" (C.C.C. # 1863)

1. It must be of a grave matter;
2. It must be committed with full knowledge that it is a mortal sin;
3. It must be committed with full consent. [Full consent means to do it "voluntarily."] (C.C.C. # 1857)

• Grave matter is specified by the Ten Commandments, corresponding to the answer of Jesus to the rich young man: 'Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.' The gravity of sins is more or less great: murder is graver than theft. One must also take into account who is wronged: violence against parents is in itself graver than violence against a stranger." (C.C.C. # 1858)
• "Mortal sin requires full knowledge and complete consent. It presupposes knowledge of the sinful character of the act, of its opposition to God's laws. It also implies a consent sufficiently deliberate to be a personal choice. Feigned ignorance and hardness of heart do not diminish, but rather increase, the voluntary character of a sin." (C.C.C. # 1859)
• "When the will sets itself upon something that is of its nature incompatible with the charity that orients man toward his ultimate end, then the sin is mortal by its very object... whether it contradicts the love of God, such as blasphemy or perjury, or the love of neighbour, such as homicide or adultery... But when the sinner's will is set upon something that of its nature involves a disorder, but is not opposed to the love of God and neighbour, such as thoughtless chatter or immoderate laughter and the like, such sins are venial." (C.C.C. # 1856)

POLICY: The candidate must receive the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation before receiving Holy Communion for the first time. (see CCC 1457; NDC 36,B2; Canon 914)

The candidate must meet the following requirements:

1. Must have attained the age of discretion, usually around seven years of age or above. (The parents and the director of religious education, together with the pastor or
2. pastoral administrator, must determine the child’s readiness to receive the sacrament.)
3. Be baptized
4. Be Catholic (children and adults baptized in another denomination must make a Profession of Faith)
5. Be able to recognize the difference between right and wrong
6. Have the capacity for sincere sorrow
7. Be properly instructed

1. Is aware that God loves us unconditionally
2. Understands that Jesus died for our sins
3. Recognizes good and evil, our capacity for both, and the importance of right choices
4. Understands and can express sorrow for sin and forgiveness of others

1. Be involved in the preparation of their child
2. Be models for their child in their faith life
3. Discern (with the pastor or pastoral administrator and the catechetical director) their child’s readiness to prepare and receive the sacrament
4. In extraordinary circumstances (discerned with the pastor or pastoral administrator) designate another adult to fulfill this responsibility.

Catechesis for children, prior to their first reception of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, must always respect their natural disposition, ability, age, and circumstances. Since the family is intimately involved with the formation of a child’s moral conscience and ordinarily integrates the child into the wider ecclesial communities, parents should be involved in the preparation of their children for this sacrament so that they can affirm and reinforce frequent participation in the sacraments. They orient the child toward God and encourage continual growth in the understanding of God’s mercy and love (NDC 36 B2).

Because that's the way God wants us to do it. In James 5:16, God, through Sacred Scripture, commands us to "confess our sins to one another."

Notice, Scripture does not say confess your sins straight to God and only to God...it says confess your sins to one another. In Matthew, chapter 9, verse 6, Jesus tells us that He was given authority on earth to forgive sins. And then Scripture proceeds to tell us, in verse 8, that this authority was given to "men"...plural. In John 20, verses 21-23, what is the 1st thing Jesus says to the gathered disciples on the night of His resurrection? "Jesus said to them, 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.'" How did the Father send Jesus? Well, we just saw in Mt 9 that the Father sent Jesus with the authority on earth to forgive sins. Now, Jesus sends out His disciples as the Father has sent Him...so, what authority must Jesus be sending His disciples out with? The authority on earth to forgive sins. And, just in case they didn't get it, verses 22-23 say this, "And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.'"

Why would Jesus give the Apostles the power to forgive or to retain sins if He wasn't expecting folks to confess their sins to them? And how could they forgive or retain sins if no one was confessing their sins to them? The Bible tells us to confess our sins to one another. It also tells us that God gave men the authority on Earth to forgive sins. Jesus sends out His disciples with the authority on earth to forgive sins. When Catholics confess our sins to a priest, we are simply following the plan laid down by Jesus Christ. He forgives sins through the priest...it is God's power, but He exercises that power through the ministry of the priest.

Sin is a fact of life. Whether we’re guilty of the sins of the flesh, sins of pride (anger, hard-heartedness, envy) or some other kind of moral failing, we all fall prey to sin. Some sins are called “venial,” because they weaken the life of grace in the soul and make it more likely that the person will fall into “mortal” (i.e., serious) sin — the kind of sin which, because of its gravity, extinguishes the life of grace in the soul. But all sins separate us from God.

As the Bible reminds, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8-9).

The problem is that many people become comfortable with living in the state of sin (c.f., 1 John 5:16-17) and never really make any effort to turn their hearts back toward the Lord with repentance and a firm desire to avoid sin and grow in holiness. There are even those who live an outward life of apparent goodness, but inwardly, they are practicing sins that keep them from the relationship with the Lord that He desires for them. “He who says, ‘I know him’ but disobeys his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:4).

The good news is that Jesus Christ wants to free you from the chains of sin, give you new life in grace and lead you to the heights of holiness. But he won't do that against your will. You must be willing to say “yes” to His gifts of grace and forgiveness. And the very first step along that path is to make a good, sincere, heartfelt confession of your sins.

Even if it's been many years since you last went to Confession, there's no reason to be afraid or to delay. You can change your life today, simply by discovering Christ and His mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

The word Retrouvaille™ (pronounced re-tro-vi with a long i.) is a French word meaning rediscovery. The program offers tools needed to rediscover a loving marriage relationship. Thousands of couples headed for cold, unloving relationships or divorce have successfully overcome their marriage problems by attending the program. The Retrouvaille Program consists of a weekend experience combined with a series of 6-12 post-weekend sessions over 3 months. It provides the tools to help put your marriage in order again. The main emphasis of the program is on communication in marriage between husband and wife. It will give you the opportunity to rediscover each other and examine your lives together in a new and positive way.

What the Program is not:
It is not a retreat, marriage counseling, or a sensitivity group. There are neither group dynamics nor group discussions on the weekend. It is not a time for hurting; it is a time for healing.

Who is it for?
It is for couples with marital problems including those who are considering marriage separation and those who are already separated or divorced that want marriage help. Some couples come to Retrouvaille during the initial signs of a marriage problem. Other couples are in a state of despair and hopelessness when they attend the program. These latter couples often consider the Retrouvaille program their final option. Many lawyers and judges send couples to Retrouvaille as a prerequisite to filing for a divorce or rendering final decisions. Many marriage counselors send their clients to Retrouvaille as a prerequisite to marriage counseling. These professionals know that the tools of communication in marriage taught in the program are often what couples need. For more information, please visit:  www.retrouvaille.org

What is Courage?
Courage is an international apostolate of the Catholic Church, which ministers to persons with same-sex attractions. In 1980, the late Cardinal Terrence Cooke served as a spiritual advisor to men and women with homosexual attractions, seeking to live the fullness of God’s plan for their lives—seeking to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. Cardinal Cooke and Father John Harvey began forming groups— which they called “Courage”— of men and women with homosexual attractions, dedicated to chastity, prayer, friendship, and mutual support. There is also an outreach called “EnCourage”, which ministers to relatives, spouses, and friends of persons with same-sex attractions. Courage groups now meet across the globe, helping to form and support those Catholics with the courage to seek God’s grace, and to follow after the Gospel. We’re blessed, in the Archdiocese of Detroit, by the ministry of Courage. www.aod.org/being-catholic/marriage-and-family/courage-ministry

The Five Goals of Courage:

1. To live chaste lives in accordance with the Roman Catholic Church's teaching on homosexuality. (Chastity)
2. To dedicate our entire lives to Christ through service to others, spiritual reading, prayer, meditation, individual spiritual direction, frequent attendance at Mass, and the frequent reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist. (Prayer and Dedication)
3. To foster a spirit of fellowship in which we may share with one another our thoughts and experiences, and so ensure that no one will have to face the problems of homosexuality alone. (Fellowship)
4. To be mindful of the truth that chaste friendships are not only possible but also necessary in a chaste Christian life, and to encourage one another in forming and sustaining these friendships. (Support)
5. To live lives that may serve as good examples to others. (Good Example/Role Model)

The Church should always be a place of welcome for those in need of healing, mercy, and courage. God’s plan—setting out into the deep—is the best possible plan for each one of us. And inviting married couples experiencing difficulties, and inviting men or women with same-sex attraction to know the meaning of the Gospel—and to experience healing, and be part of supportive and prayerful chaste communities—is a part of our Christian mission.

Let us pray, that those whose relationship is on a rocky ground, and those with same-sex attraction will have the courage to follow the Gospel, and to contact the community of Retrouvaille or Courage. And I also pray that each of us will have the courage to welcome, invite, and respect those who carry heavy burdens, and who are in need of the healing presence of Jesus Christ.

Looking for the perfect weekend? A weekend to bring you and your spouse closer together? A WWME weekend is exactly what you are looking for. At a Worldwide Marriage Encounter, the original and continually updated marriage enrichment program, you get away from the distractions of everyday life and focus on each other. Instead of simply listening to lectures about how to improve your marriage, you will actually be improving your marriage.

register for a weekend at this website: http://wwme.org/