Category Archives: Sacrament of Penance

Lent Penance Service

Today’s Gospel: John 3:14-21 The only thing God wants to do is to forgive sinners.  Period.  That’s what our Gospel reading tells us very plainly today: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that … Continue reading

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Advent Penance Service

I know a lot of people who get depressed this time of year.  Probably you do too.  Many people are missing loved ones who are far away from home, or who have passed away.  Some of my friends have a … Continue reading

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The Second Sunday of Advent [Cycle C]

Today’s readings The other day, I was trying to get out of the driveway of the rectory, but traffic was pretty backed up on Duane Street, so I was having a hard time.  It didn’t take very long to realize … Continue reading

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Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time

Today’s readings One of the graces that I have here at the parish is that whenever I go to parish meetings, we always pray through the Gospel for the coming Sunday and discuss it. The Spirit works through the community, … Continue reading

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Family Reconciliation Service

Reading: Mark 10:13-16 Well, we have some children here tonight, so this reading about Jesus embracing the little children makes some sense. But not all of us are children, are we? We have big people and little people and every … Continue reading

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Advent Penance Service

Readings: Isaiah 61:1-3, Matthew 9:1-8 This afternoon I was thinking about the fact that people don’t experience things in the same way.  I was in downtown Naperville with my sister, my two nieces and my nephew.  We were out having … Continue reading

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Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Today's readings Sometimes, as St. Paul reminds the Romans today, we do not know how to pray as we ought.  In fact, learning how to pray as we ought is a discipline that takes a lifetime to perfect.  The saints … Continue reading

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Advent Penance Service

Readings: Romans 7:14-25; John 1: 35-39 St. Paul's instruction from his letter to the Romans this evening can seem a little confusing, I think. But the point that he is making is one that I think every Christian disciple can … Continue reading

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Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent

Today’s readings In today’s Gospel we find out that Jesus is not above asking a trick question or two to get people’s attention. He asks today, “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will … Continue reading

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Thirtieth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Today’s readings The thing is, you know, the Pharisee was quite right. His righteousness was beyond reproach. He has been innocent of greed, dishonesty and adultery. He has been more pious than even the law requires. Fasting was only required … Continue reading

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