PRIESTLY CARE

Fr. Bliss, our senior pastor, is an ordained priest in the Diocese of St. Anthony (DOSA) — a relational diocese that submits to the episcopal leadership structure (bishops, priests, deacons), and trains their clergy with an Anglican center of spirituality and tradition. Because of this, we are able to offer other sacramental rites alongside the two central Gospel sacraments of Baptism & Eucharist.

CONFESSION

Jesus, the Friend of Sinners

Matthew 11v28-30 - ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’

OVERVIEW

This sacrament is space for an encounter with Christ, as the Priest bears witness to Christ’s forgiveness to you. I God through the church has given us this sacrament to maximize the wholeness of our life in and with and for Christ. We approach confession as a gift of healing and renewal.

The priest is instructed and trained to attend all confessions with a listening heart of God's love. This implies a posture of humility and utter compassion, and above all no judgement, remembering that they themselves are sinners in need of Christ’s mercy and forgiveness.

The sacrament of confession does not imply that individuals cannot directly turn to God in repentance and seek His forgiveness. Scripture and tradition affirm that God hears the contrite heart and is always ready to forgive. The sacrament, however, offers something unique: not only the assurance of forgiveness but the granting of absolution—a declaration of God's forgiveness through the ministry of the Church.

Absolution is distinct because it is an authoritative act performed in the name of Christ, using the power He entrusted to the apostles and the clergy that would come after them. Jesus said to His disciples, "If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld" (John 20:23). Through the sacrament, this divine authority is exercised visibly and tangibly, allowing the penitent to hear and receive the words of forgiveness as a gift of grace, not merely as a personal sentiment.

THE SEAL OF CONFESSION

Seal of Confession (also known as the Seal of the Confessionall) is the absolute duty of priests or anyone who happens to hear a confession not to disclose anything that they learn from the invidiual. Pr. Bliss will not approach you afterward, nor will it be shared with any individual inside or outside the Church.

LITURGY, PREPARATION, & SCHEDULING

  • Fr. Bliss offers confession before and after Sunday Worship as well as any time during the week as need arises. You can schedule a time for confession here.

  • The liturgy we use for this is from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. You can take a look at the liturgy below as well as our guide to praeparing for confession.

  • This sacrament is for those who need it and when they feel it is necessary. Perhaps it is a discipline that helps them move into deeper communion with Christ or when they are struggling with besetting sins.

    Confession is encouraged during Lent & Advent.

    Another good time for confession is before larger events in your life (moving, marriage, graduation, etc) to enter with a clean slate.

  • Confession is not counseling, and likewise counseling is not confession.

    To be clear, we encourage both!

    In counseling, you are free to share your burdens, wounds, etc, and in that sharing to be seen. This is important for oure healing, but it does not absolve you of anything. Which means, It does not deal with the weight of your sin.

  • The reality is that this answer wil vary depending on who you ask. Some things some Christians view as sin, others do not, etc. We are not here to tell you what sin is in particular, what we are suggesting is that sin is a reality.

    Regardless of where you come down, the encouragement is to have well-formed consciousness, listen to the Holy Spirit, listen to your own conscience, read the ten commandments, and the sermon on the mount, be guided by those people you trust so that you can really examine your life and confess your sin and receive absolution.

  • Confession always takes place in private. Most often, confession will take place in the Sanctuary at All Souls or in Fr. Bliss’ study downstairs.

    • Confession provides the opportunity to experience God's great mercy and forgiveness in a more tangible way, not simply as an idea.

    • Confession allows those who have the need or desire to have a way of showing forth or enacting feelings to enable us to change.

    • Confession serves as an aid that calls for us to be honest, and clear in our desire for a repentant heart.

    • In Confession we allow another voice, to share with us concerning our faults. We have the opportunity to hear from our priest.

    • Confession confronts us with our desire to remain hidden, destroying our skeletons in the closet.

    • In confession, we are relieved from our heavy burdens.

    • In time, we see with a new vision. Sin causes us to perceive incorrectly.

    • We can begin to get to the roots of our sin through confession and even see them destroyed.

    • We relinquish our walls that have caused us to be alone. We can experience relationship with others that may have been closed off. We are found.

    • In life's journey, confession can serve as an identifiable moment that enables us to experience a fresh start, putting the past behind us, and have the opportunity to begin again.

ANNOINTING THE SICK

Jesus the Resurrected Mourner

James 5:14-15: "Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven."

OVERVIEW

The Sacrament Anointing of the Sick, also known as the Ministration of the Sick, is a profound expression of God's healing and comforting presence to those who are ill, suffering, or nearing the end of life. This sacrament is rooted in the ministry of Jesus, who healed the sick and brought hope to the suffering, and in the early Church's practice.

WHAT IS OFFERED

This sacrament is not merely a prayer for physical healing but a holistic act of grace that encompasses the body, mind, and spirit. Here’s what it offers:

  1. Spiritual Healing and Strength - The sacrament provides the sick person with peace, courage, and the grace to endure suffering in union with Christ. It is a reminder that God is present even in times of trial and suffering, offering strength to face illness with faith and hope.

  2. Forgiveness of Sins - If the sick person is unable to make a confession, the sacrament can include the forgiveness of sins, bringing the assurance of reconciliation with God.

  3. Physical Healing (if it is God's will) - While the sacrament does not guarantee physical healing, it opens the way for God's will to be done. Sometimes, this includes a physical recovery, but often it manifests as an inner healing—a sense of peace and acceptance.

  4. Union with Christ’s Suffering - Through this sacrament, the sick person is united to Christ’s redemptive suffering. Their pain and struggle are given meaning within the context of Christ’s passion and resurrection.

  5. Preparation for Eternal Life - For those nearing the end of life, the sacrament prepares the soul to meet God. It may be administered alongside the Eucharist as Viaticum, "food for the journey," providing spiritual sustenance for the final passage into eternal life.

WHAT IS TYPICALLY INCLUDED

  • Laying on of Hands: The priest lays hands on the sick person, invoking the Holy Spirit for healing and strength.

  • Anointing with Oil: Holy oil is applied to the forehead and hands (and sometimes other parts of the body) as a sign of God’s presence and healing power.

  • Prayers for Healing and Strength: The priest prays for the person’s health and salvation, asking for God’s mercy and grace.

COMMUNAL ASPECT

The sacrament is also a reminder of the communal nature of the Church. It reflects the Church's role in standing with and praying for those who are suffering, embodying the love and compassion of Christ.