On Wednesday, March 8, the Diocese of Youngstown observed “The Light is On for You,” an evening of reconciliation during the Lenten season when Catholics in the Diocese of Youngstown—and beyond—prepare for Easter through penance.
The sacrament of reconciliation is offered at parishes throughout the year, and it is also offered through communal services during Lent and Advent. The date of March 8 was chosen for this diocesan-wide event because Lent is a fitting time to remind the faithful of the mercy that God bestows upon us and that we, in turn, can offer the gift of mercy to others.
St. Michael Parish in Canfield, Our Lady of the Lakes Parish in Lake Milton and North Jackson, and St. Joseph Parish in Austintown combined efforts during “The Light is On For You” and offered communal reconciliation at St. Michael Parish.
“Father [John-Michael] Lavelle, pastor of St. Michael’s Church, contacted me about holding a combined event for our regional parishes on the night of The Light is On for You,” said Father David Mertzweiller, pastor of Our Lady of the Lakes Parish. “I moved our date up a week earlier, so we could have the service together on the diocesan date.”
Father Gregory Fedor, Pastor of St. Joseph and Immaculate Heart of Mary, both parishes in Austintown, described in detail the regional designations, “St. Michael, both parishes in Austintown, Our Lady of the Lakes in North Jackson and Lake Milton and St. Mary and Joseph in Newton Falls are all part of the same region. We have been collaborating in penance services for a number of years.”
Parishioners in this region were given the opportunity to attend the service on March 8, “There is no difference between {communal reconciliation or communal penance}. We refer to the sacrament as going to confession, penance and/or reconciliation. Each name emphasizes a different aspect of the sacrament,” said Father Fedor.
Father Lavelle elaborated, “Lent is a season of conversion. It provides the final and most intense weeks of preparation for those coming into the Church at the Easter Vigil. This sense of conversion and preparation is not for these few alone. It is a challenge for all of us. As such, the church places an emphasis on the opportunity to seek that conversion of heart in the sacrament of reconciliation in joyful preparation of the Paschal Mystery.”
The Lenten Reconciliation Service included an opening song, greeting and opening prayer and celebration of the Word of God. The next part of the service was the examination of conscience through the use of the beatitudes and questions that worshipers were invited to ask themselves, as each one was read:
-Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs in the Kingdom of heaven. Have I been selfish, greedy, possessive and self-seeking?
-Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Do I have compassion for the poor, the hungry and addicted, the sick, the lonely and the sinful of the world?
-Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth. Am I gentle with others or am I harsh in my behavior?
-Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Do I truly yearn for God’s will to be done in my life and in all things?
-Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Have I turned away from someone who needed my help?
-Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Have I been dishonest in my speech or actions?
-Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. Do I foster peace at home, work, church and community?
-Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Have I failed to defend people who are right for fear of humiliation or persecution?
-Blessed are you when they revile you and persecute you on my account; rejoice and be glad for your reward is great in heaven. Do I give thanks to God in all circumstances or do I complain often?
After the beatitudes, Act of Contrition and Lord’s Prayer, those in attendance could talk to one of the five priests including the three pastors as well as Father Thomas Eisweirth or Father James Korda.
Patti Rocknic and her husband, David, have been coming to St. Michael’s since churches reopened after COVID. They had been members of St. Joseph, but they moved to Canfield after they lost their house in a fire.
Patti said that she and her husband came to the Lenten Reconciliation Service because it is important to receive the sacraments in person, including Holy Communion.
St. Michael’s parishioner Cathy Petrunia was at the service, not only for herself, but to support her son, who will receive the sacrament of confirmation in May.
Kim and James Hash were also at the service to support their children. Their triplets will receive the sacrament of confirmation at St. Michael’s.
James said that it is important for them to go to Mass together as a family.
Cathy Sheehan, a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, said that she likes the community feel of this service. She said that she felt enriched and better after participating in this Lenten Service.
“I needed the sacrament to receive peace and to let go of things that I chose to do that I shouldn’t,” said Peggy Fitch, a parishioner of St. Paul in Salem.
For Peggy, she had a profound realization that brought tears to her eyes. “When I was a child, I thought that receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation was a reprimand for doing wrong. Now, as an adult, I realize that God is forgiving.”
In closing, Father Lavelle offered these words: “It is our hope that as we continue in this Lenten season, people will not merely focus on the more traditionally understood practices of Lent, such as giving something up or even fasting and abstaining on certain days, but that they will embrace the true spirit of the season again; that being the call to conversion. The answer to this call is most often found in the moment of the grace which is coming before our God, confessing our sins and trusting in his mercy and forgiveness.”
