CROWN POINT – During Advent, Catholics are encouraged to make time for the sacrament of reconciliation to spiritually prepare for Christ’s arrival by cleansing their hearts, repenting of sins, and making room to receive Jesus at Christmas. During the liturgical season, the Diocese of Gary also provides the opportunity to attend communal penance services.
The communal penance services, which took place at a variety of parishes, including St. Paul in Valparaiso, Nativity of Our Savior in Portage, St. Maria Goretti in Dyer, St. Thomas More in Munster, St. Mary in Crown Point and others, combine public prayer, Scripture readings, and a homily with individual confession to priests for sacramental forgiveness.
Grace Sauter, of Crown Point, stated she tries to go to confession regularly.
“Christmas is coming up, and it's the Advent season,” she said. “We are waiting for Christ, so it's something I wanted to do.”
Sauter, who grew up in the diocese, returned to the parish where she was baptized for the communal penance service at St. Mary in Crown Point on Dec. 16. She currently lives in Fort Wayne, where she attends school and shared that there's a large Catholic community there.
“The idea everyone is sharing is that the Advent season is a different kind of Lent,” she said. “It’s an important time for penance.”
Sauter explained, “God sees you for more than your sins, and you're everyone is such a deepened, complex human being. Even if you feel ashamed or scared, God sees you for more than that and just wants to be close with you.”
Parishioner Marvin Lira shared that he came to the communal penance service to release some of his sins in order to continue walking his journey with Jesus Christ. He said reconciliation helps individuals find peace within themselves and draws attention to the treasures available after life and being in Heaven with God.
“The miracles of Jesus Christ that I’ve gone through are just unbelievable to me,” he said.
As Father Peter Muha took to the ambo, the pastor of St. Mary said two things are certain in life – death and taxes. And in Northwest Indiana, he joked that he would add a third – roadwork.
Referencing the Gospel readings for the day, Father Muha said the Scriptures discuss the “spiritual road work” that needs to happen to prepare the way of the Lord. Repeating the words from the Prophet Isaiah, he read aloud, “Every valley shall be filled, every mountain and hill made low, winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough way made smooth.”
During an examination of consciousness, the priest used the words from the Scripture passage to invite those gathered to reflect on those aspects of spiritual roadwork:
•“A voice cries out in the desert, ‘Prepare your way of the Lord’” – Where are the desert places in my relationship with God? Do I pray regularly? Do I participate in the Sunday Eucharist? Do I devote time to enriching my faith?
•“Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God” – What are the crooked ways in my life that need to be straightened? Have I lied, cheated or stolen? Have I gossiped or hurt someone’s reputation? Have I overindulged in possessions, food or drink? Have I made excuses for my bad habits?
•“Every valley shall be filled in” – How have I omitted doing good? Have I been selfish with my time? Have I ignored the needs of the poor? Have I been insensitive to issues of justice and peace?
•“Every mountain and hill will be made low” –. What needs meddling out of my life? Do I worry too much about appearance or status? Do I exclude certain people from my circle? Do I neglect family or friends because I spend too much time working on taking care of myself?
•“The rough way shall be made smooth” – How have l lived rough? Do I curse or use foul language? Do I indulge in racial slurs or prejudiced talk or comments? Have I condoned my use of any kind or use violence for any kind of entertainment? Do I hurt others through my convictions?
•“And all flesh shall see the salvation of our God.” – Do I trust in the mercy of God and try to show that same mercy to others? Am I grateful for the gift of faith and the promise of salvation? Do I try to cooperate with God’s grace?
Father Muha said, “My dear brothers and sisters, we all need some spiritual roadwork to better prepare for the day the Lord comes into our hearts this Christmas. Let us seek the forgiveness of God.”
For opportunities to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, contact your nearest parish or visit https://dcgary.org/find-a-parish.
