Prepare the Way of the Lord...

Advent is a time of preparation and reflection, hope and anticipation.  We prepare for the great celebration of Christmas most fittingly by being renewed in spirit through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Following the 7 PM Mass on Tuesday, December 13, a number of priests will be on hand to hear individual confessions for as long as necessary.  Fr. Jim Grant will con-celebrate the Mass and will offer an inspirational message on healing.

Our evening of prayer and reconciliation will be made extra-special as our parish welcomes for the first time the relics of St. Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun whose life and ministry helped spread the inspiring message of God's great mercy.

The evening of prayer and reconciliation will be structured as follows:

• Mass at 7 PM (Fr. Jim Grant will preach)
• Veneration of the Relic of St. Faustina
• Chaplet of Divine Mercy
• During and following the Chaplet, the priests will remain for those who wish to make their confession.

Mass will be preceded by the Holy Hour (beginning at 6 PM) and Rosary (6:30 PM)  as per usual.

“I have opened my Heart as a living fountain of mercy.

Let all souls draw life from it.

 Let them approach this sea of mercy with great trust.

Sinners will attain justification, and the just will be confirmed in good.

Whoever places his trust in My mercy will be filled with My divine peace at the hour of death.”

(Message from the Lord as recorded in the Diary of St. Faustina, par. 1520)

Praying for the Sick...

In 1858 the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette Soubirous near Lourdes in France.  Every February the 11th we recall how through this humble girl, Mary called sinners to conversion and inspired within the Church a great zeal for prayer and charity, especially service to the poor and the sick.  Lourdes continues to be one of the most visited Marian shrines in the world, a place of prayer, peace and healing. 
Pope John Paul II officially designated February 11 as the World Day of Prayer for the Sick in 1992. 

In our parish, the remainder of the month of February will be dedicated to special prayers on behalf of the sick, especially those who are members of our own parish.  A vigil candle will remain lit in front of the pulpit until the end of the month to represent our prayers and support for them.  A relic of St. Bernadette Soubirous will also remain in front of the vigil lamp both for veneration and as a reminder of the spiritual solidarity we share with the saints.

Scripture Reading for the Sick

"Are any sick among you?  They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.  The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven" (James 5:14-15).