As we prepare for the coming of Christ at Christmas, we want to be ready to accept his love and be able to do whatever he asks of us. In order to do so, the Church encourages the parish community to come together at a Penance Service. Gathered together we  recognize our individual sinfulness and the harm it does to the whole community, and so, pray for one another as well as for ourselves. During the service, we ready ourselves for the opportunity for private confession and absolution