Dear Fellow Parishioners, Remember, repent, rehearse! The lens through which we look during this year’s Advent readings and our journey of faith. It calls us to learn from the past, live in the present and plan for the future! There are two times that the Church encourages us to take advantage of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, it’s when the deacon and I are wearing purple vestments. These are the Seasons of Advent in preparation for the feast of Christmas; and Lent, in preparation for the Feast of Easter. We will be holding our Advent Reconciliation Service on Monday December 19th at 7:00 P.M. in the church. I encourage you to mark your calendar and come together in prayer as individuals and families to receive this Sacrament of healing. In preparation for our gathering, I would ask you to examine your conscience and focus on the one thing that keeps you away from a deep relationship with Jesus Christ. For some it may be fear, fear of the Sacrament of Reconciliation itself. Ask God to help you gain the courage to come forward and be made friends again with God, yourself, others, and all God’s creation. Just as we grow spiritually, so too does the Church. Many will remember the Sacrament of Confession and then the Sacrament of Penance, which focused on what we did wrong, and how to make up for sinfulness. Since Vatican II we call this healing sacrament, Reconciliation: to be made Friends again with God, others, ourselves, and all God’s Creation. Maybe your examination of conscience would best be served by asking God where you need to be made friends again. Sometimes it is with our very selves! Jesus tells us to love our neighbor as ourselves; and sometimes we are not at all comfortable in our own skin. Mark your calendar for Monday December 19th 7:00 P.M. and receive the wonderful gift of forgiveness. What a better gift to receive at this time of year! Fr. Bill