When does City Centre offer confession?

Confession is offered half an hour before every Mass (Sundays and weekdays), aside from the 11am Saturday Mass in St Edmund’s where confession takes place after the Mass.

Why go to Confession?

When a Catholic goes to Confession, they confess their sins to God. They tell God their sins but through the priest who is the instrument God has chosen. The priest acts in the person of Christ (1 Cor. 2:10, Jms. 5:14-15) and as His human representative (1 Cor. 5:17-21) to forgive sins in this “ministry of reconciliation.”

How do I make a good confession?

The sacrament consists of three actions on the part of the penitent: contrition, which sorrow for one’s sins; confession, that is examining one’s conscience and telling one’s sins to the priest; and penance, namely a desire to make up for one’s sins and amend one’s life. Together the three are called the “acts of the penitent.”

“Three conditions are necessary for Penance: contrition, which is sorrow for sin, together with a purpose of amendment; confession of sins without any omission; and satisfaction by means of good works.” --St. Thomas Aquinas

Communal Celebration of the Sacrament

Twice a year we have a communal celebration of the Sacrament in St Edmund’s: usually on the Monday before Easter and the Monday before Christmas (but check the newsletter) at 7.00pm.

This is a celebration of 'the Word' during which we reflect on God's immense and unlimited love, mercy and forgiveness. After the reflection and examination of conscience, priests are available for anyone who wishes to celebrate 'Sacramental Reconciliation' and receive 'Absolution'.

What is confession?

The Sacrament of Reconciliation (or confession) is celebrated with a priest so that the penitent can be 'absolved' of sin and reconciled to God and the Church. In the Rite the penitent must 'repent' of the sin(s) committed, confess them to the priest, make a 'firm purpose of amendment' (promise not to sin again.....) and do 'penance' in reparation for the sin committed.

What if I haven’t been to the Sacrament for many years?

First, don’t be afraid. Jesus said, “Heaven rejoices more for one repentant sinner than for 99 righteous persons who never needed to repent.” The priest will probably be so happy you’ve returned to confession after many years that you will make all the hours he spends in the confessional seem light.

Second, try to prepare with the help of a good examination of conscience sheet, but the priest will know that you cannot remember your sins with the precision of someone who came the previous week.

Third, get the largest sins off of your shoulders first.

Fourth, don’t be afraid to ask the priest for help; most confessors are experts in leading someone in your circumstances through an examination of the “big stuff” in the confessional.

Finally, don’t wait. Come back to be reconciled to your loving Father, set off the celebration in heaven, and share your Father’s joy!

Should I go to confession if I haven’t committed any sins since my last concession?

No, you should stay at home and wait for your canonization papers to arrive! Seriously, if it’s been several weeks since your last confession, you have probably not examined your conscience very carefully. “The just man,” the Book of Proverbs tells us, “falls seven times a day” (Prov 24:16). If you’re struggling to find matter to confess, examine your conscience on your sins of omission, on the seven capital sins or on whether you in fact love the Lord with your whole heart, mind, soul and strength (Lk 10:27).