Begin with Prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit open your heart and mind to see those things that you have done, which have offered our Lord and other people. What are those things that you neglected to do that you should have done? Prayerfully meditate on the Ten Commandments, Reflect on 
a list of some things that can serve as reminders of sins that you might have committed, or that may trigger your thoughts about ones that you were unable to immediately recall. See Examination of Conscience)
Steps in the Sacrament of Reconciliation: The penitent can go to confession privately behind a screen or face-to-face with the priest

1.  Make the sign if the cross and say "Bless me Father, for I have sinned."

2. it has been (Length of time since your last confession)
   You state: "My last confession was....

3. Confess your sins to the priest

4. Tell the priest your sins, and that you are truly sorry.
   "I am sorry for these and all my sins."

5. The priest will assign you a penance and offer you advise to be a better Catholic. The penance may be a prayer, an offering, works of mercy, or a sacrifice.

6. Pray the "Act of Contrition" 
   Oh my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee. I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because I have offended Thee my God, who art all good and deserving of all my Love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance and to do penance and to amend my life.  Amen"

7. The priest will say the Prayer of Absolution, you will make the sign of the Cross and at  conclusion of the Prayer, you respond "Amen"

8. The priest will make a Proclamation of praise, such as "Give Thanks to the Lord for he is good" to which you will respond: "His mercy endures forever."

9. the priest then says, "Your sins are forgiven, go in peace." You respond Thank you Father."

Examination of Conscience - - The following is not a list of all possible sins, but only a partial list to serve as memory joggers, so that you can recall all sins for which you need forgiveness,

1. Did I deny or doubt God's existence? Did I refuse to believe God's revelations. 

2. Did I Despair of, or presume on God's mercy? 

3. Did I blaspheme or take God's name in vain? 

4. Did I neglect my duties to my spouse, children or parents? 

5. Did I give a full day's work for a full day's pay? 

6. Did I give scandal by words or action, especially to the young? 

7. Did I abuse drugs or alcohol? 

8. Was I impatient, angry, envious, unkind, proud, jealous, revengeful, hateful towards others? 

9. Did I willfully entertain impure thoughts and desires? 

10. Was I unfaithful to my marriage vows? 

11. Did I rashly gamble, or speculate with money, that deprived my family if necessities of life? 

12. Did I steal, cheat, help or encourage others to do so, or keep stolen goods. Have I made restitution for stolen goods? 

13. Did I tell lies? Deliberately deceive or injure others by lies? Did I commit perjury? 

14. Was I uncharitable in word and deed, gossip or reveal others faults and sins? Fail to keep secrets I was entrusted with? 

15. Did I fail to receive Holy Communion during Easter time? Did I fail to confess at least once a year? 

16. Did I receive the Eucharist while in the state of mortal sin?
    
    *Bulletin Insert March 29/ 30/ 2003