Dear Friends,
Today, we enter the holy season of Advent and begin a new liturgical year of grace. With so many activities and events happening in our families and in our parish during these weeks, it can be easy for the meaning of this important season to get lost in the shuffle. The word “advent” comes from the Latin, which expresses the reality of something coming toward us. This is our time to join all of creation in attentive watching and waiting for the coming of Christ at his birth. The stillness and darkness of these days offer us the chance to welcome Jesus into our hearts, just like we watch for the sun to break over the horizon in the chill of each morning.
One way to prepare for Christmas is by going to confession. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a powerful way that we receive the love of Christ for us. Since I have come to the parish, it has become clear that we need more times for confession. So, beginning this week, confessions will be offered at Our Lady Mercy each Tuesday morning immediately following the 8:15am Mass, on Fridays during Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament from 5:00-6:30pm, and continuing at the normal time on Saturday at 4:00pm. As much as possible, Fr. Pedro and I are making ourselves available for confession and whenever possible, we will stay until the line is finished.
During Advent, we will have some special opportunities for confession, where we will invite additional priests to assist us. These nights will take place at Our Lady of Mercy on December 15th from 5-8pm (with Adoration being extended this night) and at St. Francis Xavier on December 19th from 6-8pm with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
I look forward to joining with you in all the special celebrations of these weeks ahead, as we prepare to celebrate the great feast of Christmas.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Thomas J. Byrne
Cool more time for confession. I pretty much gave up because there just wasn’t enough time, and poor Father Nick was frazzled being the only priest at a huge parish. He did a great job, but if you really wanted to confess you would have to catch him in a flying tackle for a few minutes of confession. And you años had to talk fast.
I can’t wait to get back to Church. I have two serious back and rib injuries. More on that later if any one is interested .
Please call 708 625 5271. Thanks.