One of my greatest joys as a priest has been to hear First Confessions in preparation for First Communions. Fifty years ago, we were encouraged to go to Confession every time we received the Eucharist. At that time, there were no Vigil Masses on Saturdays, and the priests spent long hours in the confessional on Saturday afternoons. While we still have confessions on Saturdays, the lines are no longer what they used to be. It is unfortunate that many practicing Catholics no longer avail themselves regularly of the blessings received through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. As we prepare to enter into the 40 days of LENT and focus on the meaning of the...