CELEBRATION OF THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

The Sacrament of Reconciliation has undergone significant development throughout history. The Church has progressively recognized its meaning and function, broadening the scope of its celebration. Yet the fact that the Sacrament can be received repeatedly is not always matched by a willingness on the part of the baptized to make use of it: it is as though the infinite treasure of the Church’s mercy remained “unused”.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a “workshop of unity”: it restores unity with God through the forgiveness of sins and the infusion of sanctifying grace. This fosters the inner unity of the individual and unity with the Church.

Sin breaks spiritual unity with God: it is turning one’s back on him, and this dramatic possibility is as real as the gift of freedom that God himself has bestowed upon human beings. To deny the possibility that sin truly breaks unity with God is, in reality, a failure to recognize the dignity of man, who is – and remains – free and therefore responsible for his own actions.

For this reason, in the celebration of the sacrament of Confession, whilst penitents are reconciled with God and with the Church. In the confessional, we collaborate in the ongoing edification of the Church and in so doing we also give new energy to society and to the world.

Unity with God and with the Church, finally, is the prerequisite for the inner unity of individuals, so necessary today, in this age of fragmentation in which we live. This dynamism of unity with God, with the Church and within ourselves is a prerequisite for peace among people and nations: only a reconciled person is capable of living in an unarmed and disarming way! Those who lay down the weapons of pride and allow themselves to be continually renewed by God’s forgiveness become agents of reconciliation in everyday life. In him or her are fulfilled the words attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi: “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace”.

Dear friends, never neglect to approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation yourselves, with faithful constancy, so that you may always be the first to benefit from divine Mercy.

Pope Leo XIV

Focus of the week

CLEANING OF THE CHURCH FOR EASTER

If you can spare an hour at 10am on Tuesday 24 March please come along and help to clean the church in preparation for Easter.

Thank you.

CHURCH CLEANING GROUP

We are looking for volunteers who can spare an hour a month to help clean the church. If you are able to help please leave your details with the Parish Office.

Thank you.