Dear Marie:

It is not necesary to go to only sceduled confessions. It is also permitted to make a personal appointment with a priest for confession. Thus you might try that though given that Christmas is only two days away, it might be difficult. Nevertheless, hearing confessions is one of the most important duties for a priest. I would hope they would make time.

In any event, whenever you gravely sin, you should make an act of Perfect Contrition. Doing this gives you forgiveness of the sin immediately, but there is an obligation to bring that sin to the Sacrament of Confession at the earliest opportunity. One is not to receive the Eucharist, however, until after Sacramental Confession.

If you cannot arrange for the Sacament of Confession before Christmas, or before any Mass, then you attend the Mass anyway, but remain in your pew and offer a Spiritual Communion when others are going forward to receive.

We are obligated to attend Sunday Mass regardless of whether or not we are in a state of Grace. It is a sin to miss Sunday Mass without a serious reason (i.e., illness, bad weather, etc.).

In those times in which we need to go to Confession but haven't before Mass, then always attend Mass anyway, but refrain from receiving the Eucharist.

For your convenience, here is a Perfect Act of Contrition:

My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy upon me, a sinner. Amen.

Here is an Act of Spiritual Communion written by St. Alphonsus Liguori:

My Jesus, I believe that Thou are truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. I love Thee above all things and I desire Thee in my soul. Since I cannot now receive Thee sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.

(Pause)

I embrace Thee as being already there and unite myself wholly to Thee. Never permit me to be separated from Thee. Amen.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary