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Dear Parishioners,
Advent is a hopeful time. We are searching for God and God is searching for us! We believe in a God that forgives and wants us to be whole and be full of joy.
Our Advent theme this year is taken from St. Paul’s Second Letter to the Thessalonians 3:16:
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with all of you.”
PEACE
The night sky held its breath
When the Prince of Peace was born.
Peace to your heart,
Peace to your family,
Peace to the world. Peace... more than ever...peace.
In our desire to find peace this Advent, many will feel the call to return to the sacrament of Penance or Reconciliation.
The essential nature of the sacrament of Penance does not change in the instance for those approaching the sacrament after a long absence. Please tell your friends or neighbors that the priest will be sensitive to this reality and will help all who approach the sacrament with gentleness and compassion. Here are a few helpful hints for the penitent who has been away:
- You are welcome and please ask for help. Let the priest know, and he will do all he can to make you feel at ease. Thank God that you have gotten up the courage to come back! We will help you with any awkwardness. You do not have to worry that you forgot the formula for the sacrament.
- The priest will help you to acknowledge your sins truthfully, but will not lay on additional burdens. The priest recognizes that you probably would not come to confession if you were not serious. The priest takes you where you are at and gently listens to you. All this is to help you to move forward in hope.
- Confession has its limits. While the priest desires to listen to you and your story, it is not a counseling session, nor is it a time for spiritual direction. Please remember, if the priest suggests calling for an appointment, he is not cutting you off, but truly desires to really take the time to go deeper.
- The sacrament is about God’s forgiveness found in Christ. At the end of His conversation with the women caught in adultery, Jesus says to her, “Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.” (John 8:11) In those words, He sends her away forgiven and also calls her to live a new way that reflects true conversion.
On Wednesday, December 20th at 6:30 p.m., we will celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation with several priests from around the area. We will begin with a prayer service and then everyone has an opportunity for individual reconciliation. Please come and invite a friend. For those who have been away for awhile, you will discover that it is a life-changing experience. Each Saturday, we have confession from 3:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. on Saturday, December 23rd in the Church.
May you find peace this Advent,
Fr. Mike Meany
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