DIOCESE—The   Diocese of Rockford will again hold a special day for confession with its Be Reconciled Day on March 29.

 

Bishop David J. Malloy, recognizing the need for God’s grace and forgiveness in the lives of Catholics, has again asked all 104 parishes in the 11-county diocese to add March 29, to their regular Lenten confession calendar and, where possible, to offer confessions that day from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

 

The goal of “Be Reconciled” is to make the Sacrament of Reconciliation more accessible, especially for people who have been away or hesitant about confession for many months or many years and to provide a perfect way for busy people to find a convenient time to prepare their souls for Easter.

 

In his radio and television invitations this year, Bishop Malloy asks Catholics, “Has it been a while since your last confession? That’s what Be Reconciled Day is all about. 

 

“The Lenten season is always an important time for us to take stock of our spiritual lives. By the Church’s tradition of prayer, fasting and charity, we draw closer to Christ and to the Church. Our souls are laid open to be strengthened by Christ’s love, grace and forgiveness so it is a real privilege to focus on the opportunity to offer that forgiveness especially to those who have been away from confession for a long time for whatever reason,” Bishop Malloy said. The bishop added that “The old saying goes, confession is good for the soul, and it’s true.”

 

Bishop Malloy also suggests that Catholics extend a friendly invitation to someone they might know who has been away from the sacrament of reconciliation, to take part in Be Reconciled Day. Bishop Malloy has extended the invitation in his weekly Observer column since Lent began this year. 

 

Invitations to “Be Reconciled” Day are being made through advertising in digital, print and social media platforms along with radio and television ads and through parishes as well as on a dedicated page on the Diocese of Rockford website at http://bereconciled.rockforddiocese.org. 

 

The site includes confession times for all parishes in the Rockford Diocese as well as information and resources about the sacrament.  For the most current information about “Be Reconciled” follow the Diocese of Rockford on Twitter and Facebook. You can also check local parish confession times by downloading myParish App available free in the App Store.