Confessions is heard at Newman from 4:00-4:30 pm on Saturdays, 6:00-6:30m on Sundays (while the University is in session), and at any time if you would but ask: email or call, (413)549-0300 x34, Fr Doug and make an appointment.

So, What's the Deal with Confession, Reconciliation or whatever it's Called Today?
The forgiveness of sins committed after Baptism is conferred by a particular sacrament called the sacrament of conversion, confession, penance, or reconciliation.

The sinner wounds God's honor and love, his own human dignity as a man called to be a son of God, and the spiritual well-being of the Church

To return to communion with God after having lost it through sin is a process born of the grace of God who is rich in mercy and solicitous  for the salvation of men. One must ask for this precious gift for oneself and for others.

The spiritual effects of the sacrament of Penance are:

• Reconciliation with God by which the penitent recovers grace.
• Reconciliation with the Church.
• Remission of the eternal punishment incurred by mortal sins.
• Remission, at least in part, of temporal punishments resulting from sin.
• Peace and serenity of conscience, and spiritual consolation.
• An increase of spiritual strength for the Christian battle.

If you are a non-Catholic who finds the Sacrament of Reconciliation a comforting and appealing idea, then please consider learning more about the Catholic faith by joining our RCIA program (Rites of Catholic Initiation of Adults).

What about General Absolution, 
I've heard they do it in some Diocese?
Individual and integral confession of grave sins followed by absolution remains the only ordinary means of reconciliation with God and with the Church.

In case of grave necessity recourse may be had to a communal celebration of reconciliation with general confession and general absolution. 

Grave necessity of this sort can arise when there is imminent danger of death without sufficient time for the priest or priests to hear each penitent's confession (NOTE: danger of death is not enough, there also has to be a time crunch). Grave necessity can also exist when, given the number of penitents, there are not enough confessors to hear individual confession properly in a reasonable time, so that the penitents through no fault to their own would be deprived of sacramental grace or Holy Communion for a long time (NOTE: inconvenience to the priest's or the penitent's social plans do not rise to the level of 'grave necessity.' i.e. a large gathering of faithful on the occasion of major feasts or pilgrimages does not constitute a case of grave necessity.)