Page 27 - Catholic Extension Magazine - Spring 2016

Extension | Spring 2016 27
the children in our catechism classrooms, so we should regularly o er them the sacrament during their classes. My experience has been that many of them seize that opportunity.
Similarly, with young people
in our youth groups, it is a matter of using the time we already have with them and inviting them. at way they can develop a habit of confessing and steadily growing in their consciences.
e liturgical seasons are also important in this healing work. At St. Francis we hold communal penance services during Advent
and Lent, and we invite eight priests to help. It lls me with great joy to see so many parishioners come to these services to receive the sacrament.
I o en nd myself thinking: “Who am I to get into your most private life?” Yet the parishioners invite me into the sacred precincts of their consciences, hoping that I can help them. It keeps me hum- ble and always brings home to me why I was ordained a priest.
During confession I learn of the di erent circumstances of our parishioners, which often are very di cult. And it is during confes-
sion that I can see a clear re ection of how we are doing in the pastoral care of our parishioners.
Father Julio C. Domínguez is the pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Lenoir, North Carolina. From 2009 until 2014, Catholic Extension funded Father Domínguez’ “School of Faith” (Es- cuela de Fe), which provides catechesis and formation for Hispanic leadership at the parish and for the larger Diocese of Charlo e, North Carolina. Catholic Extension has also helped with the dis- tribution of Bibles at St. Francis. Father Domínguez was nominated for the 2012 Lumen Christi Award.
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