A Note from Fr. Dan

Dear Parish Family,
This Monday, February 3, is the commemoration of St. Blaise, to honor this Saint we will be blessing throats after each Mass this weekend.

Whatever became of sin?
There was a book in the 1970’s entitled: Whatever Became of Sin?; and spoke about a culture that doesn’t acknowledge the truth that sin is real and that individuals are sinners. When Pope Francis was asked immediately after his elevation as Pope to describe himself he said: “I am a sinner.” The fact is that we are all , you and I, are sinners in need of God’s mercy and forgiveness that was obtained for us by the obedience of Jesus Christ in His Passion, Death, and Glorious Resurrection. Sin is not a mistake or a psychological problem: but the choices that we make to ignore what God asks us to do (omission) or to do what we know is wrong (commission). There is nothing that I can do to atone for my sins, nothing that I can do that can expiate my sin, nothing that allows me to deserve forgiveness for my sin. This act of forgiveness is offered freely to me in the great gift of the Sacrament of Confession (also called Penance and/or reconciliation). In the Book of the Prophet Isaiah (1:18 ) it is written: “..though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow though they are red like crimson, they shall become white as wool.” In the first letter of John (1:10) we read “If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he (God) is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him (God) a liar, and his word is not in us.” So, ask yourself, when was the last time you were honest with yourself and acknowledged that you are a sinner; came, in humility before God in the Sacrament of Confession, confessed your sin and heard the lifegiving, freeing prayer of absolution? Confession is celebrated each Tuesday from 5:30 – 6:30 PM (before Mass, Saturday form 3:30 – 4:00 PM, twice for the “Light is on For you”: once during Advent and again during Lent; and you can make an appointment for confession by calling the Rectory and speaking to me. Jesus is waiting for each of us to turn to Him and receive the gift of forgiveness, redemption and His mercy and love.
God Bless, Fr. Dan