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When I was assigned to Sacred Heart Parish in Pittsfield I remember sitting in the confessional one Saturday afternoon. One of the ushers arrived early for Mass, came in and greeted me. She said: "we don't have many penitents here, Father." That got me thinking. What if I start talking about it, will more people go to confession? It took some time, but the more I spoke about the necessity and grace of confession, the more the people came.
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I still hear the argument, however, "I confess privately to God, doesn't that count?" Well, on the one hand, we ought to examine our conscience on a daily basis. So, if you do that, each day, kudos to you, that is indeed a great beginning and a benefit to living a more peaceful and God-like life.
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Nevertheless, we teach our kids that when they do something wrong they have to "own up to it". I distinctly remember my mother interrogating me after some wrongdoing: "and what are you sorry for?" It was not to punish me but rather to help me see where I went wrong, why it was wrong, and how I could improve going forward.
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Friends - this is confession. You see, the problem with the "I confess privately" argument is that we use it to justify ourselves. There is no sense of responsibility, or understanding as to what the sin is, why it is a sin, and how best to not fall into that type of behavior going forward.
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And yet so many people are still "afraid" of confession. We are afraid of being judged. Confession is the LAST place anyone is going to judge you - it is not the place for condemnation but rather for mercy. Jesus does not expect us to "go it alone" He is waiting for us in the confessional in order to tend to our delicate souls with His compassion and forgiveness. Just like a garden, we have to uproot the weeds in order to let the flowers grow and become beautiful ... so too we have to uproot our sins in order that our souls may grow in a deeper love for God.
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If you have not yet made it to confession - don't wait. Make today the day ..may the gift of the Easter graces be in our souls by making a good confession, and beginning again, a new life, with Him.
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Divine Mercy Celebration at Blessed Sacrament in Greenfield Sunday April 24, 2022. Confessions begin at 1:45pm. Adoration and the Divine Mercy Chaplet will begin at 3pm. See attached flyer.
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40 Hours Devotions - join members of the Newman Catholic Center for 40 Hours Friday April 22, 2022 - Sunday April 24, 2022. See attached flyer.
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Cemetery Clean-up: Join Deacon Rod on Saturday April 23, 2022 for a clean-up at the cemetery beginning at 9am ... bring gloves and your own tools. Please help keep our cemetery beautiful!
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- Good Friday, April 15th:
- 3pm - Liturgy of Good Friday, Veneration of the Cross and Holy Communion
- 6pm - Stations of the Cross followed by homemade soups
- Holy Saturday, April 16th:
- 11am - Blessing of Easter Food
- 12pm -Confessions
- 7:30pm - Easter Vigil
- Easter Sunday, April 17th:
- Masses at 8am and 10:30am
- 9am at St. Mark's
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There is no new Coffee with FJ episode.
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See the link to previous episodes below!
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Holy Family Roman Catholic Church
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