Examination of Conscience for Adults

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a powerful Sacrament of Healing. It is always important to make an honest, thorough, and humble examination of conscience prior to receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation (aka Penance or Confession) so that one can make a great confession and receive the forgiveness, freedom, peace, and sanctifying grace that God eagerly wants to give us in this powerful sacrament. Here is a great examination of conscience for adults that can help you make a good and fruitful confession:

Examination of Conscience (PDF)

Eucharistic Holy Hours

A couple of years ago, Bishop Schlert called for the diocesan faithful to return to the graces of the sacramental life of the Church following the pandemic lock down. Our Year of the Eucharist included increased opportunities for Eucharistic devotions and sacramental forgiveness through confession in the parishes of the diocese. During the pandemic the faithful were deprived of public worship and reception of the sacraments. Our parish began the weekly Holy Hours with a renewed sense of faith and devotion. The devotions saw a good number of people present for the weekly Holy Hour and confessions. In recent months, however, the numbers have declined. The U.S. bishops called for a national Eucharistic Revival, beginning with the observance of Corpus Christi in 2022. This initiative aims to inspire, educate, and unite the faithful in a more intimate relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist. In a society where the Lord is often forgotten and even a majority of Catholics do not believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, the revival is meant to rededicate the entire nation to our Eucharistic Lord. The bishops' hope called upon those who believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist to spread the Truth to those that doubt or who do not know this element of our faith. The bishops have called for us to be "Eucharistic missionaries" to witness to this teaching of Christ and the Real Presence.

Perhaps we can begin in our own hearts by more faithfully and reverently attending holy Mass and joining in the weekly Eucharistic devotions on Wednesday evenings (6:30 — 7:30 PM). Devotions include Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, the rosary or Divine Mercy chaplet, Evening Prayer of the Church, and Benediction. Confessions are available throughout the devotions.

When was the last time you attended a Holy Hour? ... Benediction? ... Do your children or grandchildren know what Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament is? Sometimes, we might yearn for the church-filled devotions of our childhood experiences. The opportunities continue. Are you willing to a Eucharistic Missionary by your prayers and witness?

If you have a child entering the 1st grade in September 2023, and your wish is to have them grow up knowing, loving, and serving the Lord, then NOW IS THE TIME TO REGISTER THEM in our Parish Religious Education Program (PREP).

Our Religious Education Program is open to children in grades 1 through 8, who have been Baptized Catholic; are registered parishioners of the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena Parish, or St. Francis of Assisi Church, Allentown; attend either public school, a private non-Catholic school, or are not Home-Schooled in all subjects.

Religious education begins at the 1st level and continues annually through to the 8th level. The curriculum we use, the "Faith & Life" series is formatted to teach the Catholic faith to your child at a level of knowledge that coincides with their level of understanding as they progress through the religious class levels. Each year, the curriculum goes deeper into our faith and the lessons are built on the foundation of knowledge learned in the prior level class. It is for this reason that students who attend our program are expected to attend each year from the 1st level class through the 8th level class.

The Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion are celebrated during your child's attendance in their third consecutive level of religious education.

The Sacrament of Confirmation is received during the consecutive 8th level of their faith formation in our program.

Registration forms may be downloaded from the PDF's below or picked-up at the Center for Parish Religious Education Office, located in the St. John Vianney Regional Middle School building across from the Walson Center on N. 18th St., Room 1.

If your child is new to our program, please contact our Director of Religious Education, Miss Donna Sciacca, to schedule an appointment to register. Office hours are Mon-Thurs 10am - 2pm, ph. 610-432-7655 or send an email to PREP@Cathedral-Church.org

All Registration forms are to be returned accompanied by payment of PREP materials fee which is listed at the top of the Registration forms.

Checks should be made payable to: Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena - PREP

St. John Vianney's Prayer for Priests

God, please give to Your Church today many more priests after Your own heart. May they be worthy representatives of Christ the Good Shepherd. May they wholeheartedly devote themselves to prayer and penance; be examples of humility and poverty; shining models of holiness; tireless and powerful preachers of the Word of God; zealous dispensers of Your grace in the sacraments. May their loving devotion to your Son Jesus in the Eucharist and to Mary his Mother be the twin fountains for fruitfulness for their ministry. Amen.

Examination of Conscience for Adults

Eucharistic Holy Hours

St. John Vianney's Prayer for Priests

Holy Hour for Vocations — First Saturday of the Month — 8:00 AM Mass followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the Rosary, and Benediction.

Today's Mass Readings