"Getting to the Heart of the Matter" is what Sister Mary Lucy Astuto pinpoints in every issue when she takes a common sense approach to living our faith with her practical columns.

    In her column this week, Sister Mary Lucy Astuto continues on the Sacrament of Reconciliation, this week providing the first part of her recommended "Examination of Conscience" exercise as she provides points to contemplate on each commandment in helping us all scrutinize our life and strive for sanctity by weeding out sins - both mortal and venial. This exercise shows what the causes are and we can change the effects to good by sticking to the regiment of reducing sin and vice in our life by supplanting it with virtue. Through the privacy and even therapy of Confession we are able to acknowledge before God and man, isolate the causes for our sins, and effectively work on eradicating the weeds of sin in our soul. Just as we need baths and showers regularly to keep our bodies clean, so also we need the Sacrament of Reconciliation to keep our souls clean. It's common sense. God hasn't changed. The Sacrament hasn't changed. But we have by denying we need it that much. Father Don Stefano Gobbi remarked often while on tour in America, "So many going to communion, so few to confession." Jesus is still there waiting, and waiting, and waiting to absolve us through the wonderful Sacrament of Reconciliation. Pray that His priests will understand this and make it more available and necessary than a half hour on Saturday afternoons. Pray that the bishops will re-emphasize the need for Confession. Pray that the people will listen and respond as she explains in her column this week, Acute awareness in examining our consciences .

    Her column provides effective, vital insights into our faith and ways of fulfilling God's Will every day in every way. You can visit Sr. Lucy at her web site for Heart of Mary Ministry at http://www.heartofmaryministry.com or you can reach her at Srmarylucy @aol.com by e-mail.

For past columns by Sister Lucy, click on GETTING TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER

Explanation of Sister Mary Lucy Astuto's GETTING TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER column

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