ST. PATRICK PARISH
Experience God’s mercy in a whole new way with Forgiven
1. Download the Forgiven Study Guide
2. Log on to FORMED.ORG and search Forgiven
Join us for our at-home, video-based study on the Sacrament of Reconciliation
It’s easy and free to start enjoying FORMED!
- Go to signup.formed.org
- Select our parish
- Register with your name and email address
- Check that email account for a link to begin using FORMED
SESSIONS
Gather and use the suggested sessions from Forgiven before December 16:
Session 1: Where are You?
Session 2: An Encounter with Mercy
Session 3: The Rite Explained
Advent Reconciliation Service • Thursday, December 16 • 7:00 PM • Church
Confessions will be heard at 7:00 PM, instead of 5:00 PM, for our Advent Reconciliation Service on Thurs, December 16. In addition to Fr. Brian, Fr. Skillman, and Fr. Detwiler, other priests will be present to hear confessions that evening.
“ . . . the sacraments push us to be missionaries and the apostolic commitment to bring the Gospel into every environment, even the most hostile, is the most genuine fruit of a regular sacramental life, because it is a participation in the saving work of God, who wants to give salvation to all.” Pope Francis, General Audience, November 6, 2013
FORMAT
OPENING PRAYER: The prayer is included in both the Leader Guide and the Study Guide. You can read along silently or aloud.
INTRODUCTION: Follow along with the Introduction for an overview of what you’ll experience in the session.
CONNECT: Each session begins with questions that help you get to know one another on a deeper level.
VIDEO: Together you’ll watch an engaging video segment that teaches the subject using Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition of the Catholic Church along with compelling stories and testimonials. This Study Guide includes a brief outline that follows the key points in the teaching and has room for note-taking.
DISCUSS: Talk in small groups about the video teaching; questions for reflection on the topic are in the guide.
COMMIT—Encountering God’s Mercy: This will help you to more fully understand the Sacrament of Reconciliation and helps you to more deeply relate to Christ and the Church. You’ll preview this with your group.
WRAP-UP and CLOSING PRAYER: After reviewing the main points of the session together, you’ll close in prayer. You’ll find the words to prayer in this guide, so feel free to read along silently or aloud.
DIGGING DEEPER: In this Study Guide we’ve also included quotations by the saints and excerpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church and other Catholic works as they relate
to each session topic.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: Each session concludes with suggested resources for continued study and reflection, which may be of interest to participants, parents, and leaders.
SESSION ONE
Where are You?
Have you ever received a “wake-up call” that inspired you to make a change in your life? Maybe it was something significant like a health issue that forced you to make better choices. Or perhaps a comment from a friend convinced you to take a different course of action on something. When we go off course in life, God often sends us a wake-up call to draw us back. But sometimes it’s difficult—even painful— to stop, listen, and turn around. Thankfully, God doesn’t ask us to do it on our own. He not only calls us home, but he also walks with us every step of the way.
SESSION TWO
An Encounter with Mercy
God loves us right where we are, but he loves us too much to leave us there. In the last session, we looked at guilt as a wake-up call—a way to turn our attention back to God when we have sinned. In this session we will look more closely at God’s invitation to encounter his mercy and healing in a very real and tangible way in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
SESSION THREE
The Rite Explained
It’s not easy to admit when we’ve done something wrong— or failed to do something right. But when we learn to trust in God’s mercy, we don’t have to be afraid to face our sins. That mercy is present to us in a very real way in the confessional through the ministry of the priest. God’s merciful love shapes every word and action of the sacrament, and when we prepare for it honestly and prayerfully, we will be open to receiving the fullness of his grace.
RECONCILIATION
PREPARING OUR HEARTS
During Advent, Fr. Brian, Fr. Skillman, and/or Fr. Detwiler will be present to hear confessions on:
- Wednesdays, December 1, 8, 15, & 22 from 7:00-7:30 AM
- Thursdays, December 2, 9, & 23 at 5:00 PM
- Saturdays, December 4, 11, & 18 from 4:00-4:45 PM
- Thursday, December 16 at 7:00 PM
ADVENT RECONCILIATION SERVICE
Thursday, December 16 • 7:00 PM • Church
Confessions will be heard at 7:00 PM, instead of 5:00 PM, for our Advent Reconciliation Service on Thurs, December 16. In addition to Fr. Brian, Fr. Skillman, and Fr. Detwiler, other priests will be present to hear confessions that evening.