Lent is a distinctive time in the liturgical calendar. It is the season that helps the faithful prepare their hearts for remembering Jesus’ life, death and Resurrection. During the 40 days of Lent, Catholics are encouraged to embrace the principles of fasting, prayer and giving outwardly to grow closer with Christ.
On Wednesday, March 16 from 5 to 8 p.m., a diocesanwide initiative known as an Evening of Confession will take place. During this time, all Catholics are invited to visit any parish within the eight-county Catholic Diocese of Cleveland to experience the sacrament of reconciliation.
Beginning this week, the diocese launched a media campaign centered on the gift of forgiveness and an encouraging message to join local parishes on March 16. Through radio, television, social media and streaming services, viewers are invited to experience God’s mercy in the sacrament of reconciliation.
As part of the campaign, Father Damian Ference, diocesan vicar for evangelization, sat down for a virtual interview with Joe Cronauer, host of WKYC TV3’s “It’s About You.” Through their conversation, Father Ference discussed how an Evening of Confession also serves as a welcome back for those who have been away from the Church.
“Think of Lent as a retreat for the overall Church,” Father Ference said. “Lent is a good time to begin again, to start anew and March 16 provides the opportunity to start again through reconciliation.”
The full interview will air at noon March 8 on WKYC.
The media campaign features four people who open up about the healing power of confession. Sharing their perspectives of faith are Father Patrick Anderson, director of human formation at Borromeo Seminary; Mother Jeanette Marie Estrada, a Mercedarian Sister of the Blessed Sacrament and formulator for the order’s postulants and novices; Elizabeth Gonzalez, a musician and college student; and Patrick Warner, who is participating in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and will come into full communion with the Church at the Easter Vigil next month.
“Sin pulls us apart from God and each other, it affects us all,” said Gonzalez, a musician at St. Joseph parish in Amherst and a parishioner at St. Mary of the Falls in Olmsted Falls. “Every person has the opportunity to receive God’s gift of loving forgiveness and mercy. I encourage everyone to let God speak to you.”
Parishes will have resources, staff or other parishioners available for anyone who may be looking to reconnect with a parish after March 16.
An examination of conscience, prayers, a guide to confession and the full Evening of Confession commercial can be found here.