Fr. Aidan Writes:
Starting this Lent, there is a new Order of Penance coming into effect. What does this mean for you? Well, not much! Going to confession will be much the same. It will have the same structure and the same prayers, though with a couple of word changes primarily for the priest. Here at St Louis de Montfort, we have a very active reconciliation ministry. On Saturdays from 3.15 pm to 4.45 pm, there are two priests available for confessions in English. Again, after the Spanish Mass on Saturday evening around 8.00 pm, two priests are available for up to one and one half hours to hear confessions in Spanish. That is altogether 6 hours of confessions, and usually there is not a break in the flow of penitents! This is wonderful and makes me very proud of our parish, not only for the provision of the Sacrament, but mainly the maturity of so many of you faithful parishioners who understand the need for God and his loving merciful forgiveness in your spiritual journey of life.
The hardest thing any penitent can do is to cross the threshold of the confessional. Nobody likes hanging out their dirty laundry! But for us priests, this is a most humbling experience and a pro- found part of our ministry; to help folk unburden themselves and to assure folk of God’s merciful love is a beautiful thing. It is also tiring and at times draining for your priests. Sometimes folk have some tough issues they are dealing with and exposure to the darker side of life is not always comfortable to hear and deal with. So please, use the sacrament well and frequently, but also, please, pray for your priests who are there to help you reconcile. Remember, Jesus is not interested in your sins but in you as his brother or sister in the Holy Spirit.
God bless you and your families, Fr Aidan-Peter CJ
May God bless you, your families, and the week ahead,
Fr Aidan Peter