A Word from Your Pastor - December 15

Dear Parishioners:

Advent is a season of expectation, waiting and preparation.  We await the fulfillment of God’s promises in human history, in our hearts and in our lives.  The Advent of Jesus Christ refers to three “Comings”:

• The “Second Coming” at the end of time, when Jesus will return in Majesty;
• the Birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, when His Coming fulfilled the promises of Scripture, announcing Salvation for Jews and Gentiles, His Coming in History;
• and His Coming to us through the Sacraments in the Life of Grace, His Coming in Mystery.

As we live out our Faith, we are charged to be ready for the Lord when He comes again in glory.  We also cooperate with grace in opening our hearts to His Presence in human history and in our experience of the Sacraments.  One special form of preparation is the “housecleaning” that takes place through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

The children of our parish in PSR, in St. Timothy School and in any of our Catholic High Schools have had the opportunity to receive the Sacrament with their classes.  Our Parish Advent Penance Service will be this Tuesday, December 17, at 7 p.m.  All are invited to approach the Sacrament at this time or to make plans for another time – available every Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. at St. Timothy Church, or at one of the other parishes of our deanery.

How often do you put off going to see your physician?  Now is the time to approach the Doctor of your soul, to allow Him to heal whatever ails you.  If it has been a while, let this be the year you decide to renew your commitment to open your heart to the Lord.

Sometimes, folks will stay away because they are not sure how to approach the Sacrament.  Don’t worry, the priest will guide you.  The tech savvy may find an app for a smart phone to walk you through the Sacrament.  For anyone, here is a short summary of what to do:

1. Make the Sign of the Cross with the priest.
2. Say “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.  It has been [however long] since my last Confession.  These are my sins.” [Name them, especially those weighing most heavily on your heart.]  Remember, the seal of Confession means that the priest can never under any circumstances reveal your sins to anyone, so you can be completely honest with him.  You are speaking to Jesus in and through the priest.
3. The priest will give you a few words of counsel and then name a penance, that is, a prayer or an action that expresses your sorrow and your desire to change.  You will “do your penance” after the Confession is over.
4. The Act of Contrition is usually done in common at a penance service.  When you go to confession at other times, you are invited to make one at this point.  Call to mind the one you learned when you made your First Reconciliation.  Or you may say something as simple as, “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner.”  The main point is to express your sorrow and your intention to turn away from sin in the future.
5. The priest will give you absolution (God’s forgiveness) and you make the Sign of the Cross as you receive it. 
6. The priest may say, “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good.”  If he says this, you respond, “His Mercy endures forever.” 
7. Some final words of dismissal are spoken, and you will say “Thanks be to God.”  You may also say Thank you to the priest when he gives you your penance and at the end of the encounter.

The St. Timothy Penance Services for Advent is Tuesday, December 17, at 7 p.m.

Make plans to open your heart to the Lord through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Focolare Word of Life for December 2013: May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all (1 Thes. 3:12).

http://www.focolare.org/en/news/category/parola-di-vita/.