Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession)
Reconciliation (Confession) Opportunities at St. Francis
- Every Saturday from 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm usually two priests are available in the Church to hear confessions. In the months of June, July, and August (including Saturday, Sept. 1), only ONE priest will be available for confessions on Saturdays and will only be available to hear confessions until 4:30pm.
- Appointments for confession may also be scheduled, particularly for the homebound.
- A priest is also normally available the first Thursday of the month in the church from approximately 10:15-10:45am. Contact the office to verify.
- During Advent and Lent, look for more information about Penance services with individual confessions where multiple priests are available.
- Twice annually look for our, “Coffee & Chat with a Priest,” which may consist of celebrating the sacrament of Reconciliation if you wish.
- Please note, Confession will not be available at St. Francis on: Saturday, Sept 22, 2018.
Other Area Reconciliation (Confession) Opportunities
The Ann Arbor region is blessed with many opportunities for you to have access to a priest to hear your confession in addition to the opportunities at St. Francis of Assisi. Contact the parishes listed below to ensure their schedule is accurate:
- Saturdays: Christ the King 9am & 4pm, Old St. Patrick’s Parish 2:30pm, St. Thomas the Apostle Parish 3:00pm, St. John the Baptist Parish, Ypsilanti 3:30pm, St. Andrew the Apostle Parish, Saline 4:00pm
- Sundays: Christ the King 8:30am & 10:30am, St. John the Baptist, Ypsilanti 5:45pm (during the EMU Academic Year), St. Mary’s Student Parish 7:30pm (during the U of M Academic Year)
- Weekdays: St. Thomas the Apostle Mondays & Thursdays after 12:10pm Mass, Old St. Patrick’s Parish Tuesdays 5:30pm, St. Mary’s Student Parish Wednesdays after 5:10pm Mass, Christ the King Fridays 5pm; and Ave Maria Chapel at Domino’s Farms offers confession each weekday at multiple times. Visit their website for the schedule.
One of the Sacraments of Healing
In the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, the Sacrament of Reconciliation (commonly called Confession or Penance) is the method by which individual men and women may be freed from sins committed after receiving the sacrament of Baptism. For the confession to be acceptable according to Catholic teaching, the penitent (person seeking forgiveness) must tell his or her sins directly to an ordained Catholic priest or bishop. The priest or bishop will then recite the prayers of absolution to forgive the penitent’s sins. The penitent may confess his sins face to face with the priest, or anonymously through a screen known as a “grill”. In 1215 the Fourth Lateran Council made it canon law that every Catholic Christian receive this sacrament at least once a year.
Recently, several electronic applications have been introduced that can aid a penitent in making a good confession, similar to printed works known as “examinations of conscience”. Electronic aids, according to Vatican statements, cannot replace confession direct to a priest, as only a priest in person can confer sacramental absolution. As of February 2011, one widely publicized example was an “app” for the iPhone called “Confession: A Roman Catholic App”.
Examination of Conscience
Examination of conscience is a review of one’s past thoughts, words, actions, and omissions for the purpose of ascertaining their conformity with, or deviation from, the moral law. This is a private review; the Catholic Church encourage penitents who wish to receive the sacrament of reconciliation to examine their conscience using the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, or the Corporal Works of Mercy as a guide.
First Reconciliation Preparation
Preparation for the Sacrament of First Reconciliation normally takes place in the second grade for children baptized in the Catholic Faith. For more information please visit the First Reconciliation page.