Each year during the season of Advent the Church calls us do penance in preparation for the Christmas season. We try to better our lives so that we might be more fully prepared to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Most often in parishes, this call to repentance is fulfilled by individual confessions and a parish penance service. However, this year, Bishop McElroy has suspended all parish penance services. The Bishop has granted permission to use the Rite of General Absolution during this time. Strict guidelines govern the exercise of general absolution. The priest must provide an explanation to the faithful, make a selection of passages of Scripture, and give a brief homily. The penitent, who is impeded from making a private confession, must have prepared himself by examining his conscience, repenting of sin, having contrition for that sin, and having a firm amendment not to commit the sin again; this sincere, personal preparation is essential to the valid reception of the sacrament. Therefore, in place of individual confessions the rite of general absolution will be celebrated at our Sunday mass. This grace is given to all those who are present as well as those who are not able to join us.  
~  Fr. Ed.

Confessions are heard on Saturday evening from 4-5 pm in the Church or by appointment however as noted above, they have been temporarily suspended on Saturday and are by appointment only.