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The Pastor’s Corner
As we move into the Second Week of Advent, the theme of the Gospel reading this week moves from being vigilant and alert for the coming of Christ to the theme of repentance. Our vigilance includes making sure that we are following Christ as He is, not how we want Him to be, and then practicing our Faith as Christ and His Church have taught us. Our vigilance is directed to our preparation for our judgment, and our Hope of ultimate union with Him in Heaven at the end of our earthly life.
This week, however, the movement of our heart should be one of repentance and seeking the forgiveness of our sins. John the Baptist, Christ's forerunner, preached repentance for preparation of the coming of Christ. In that regard, we as Catholics are privileged to have the Sacrament of Confession (also referred to as the Sacrament of Reconciliation or Penance). In the Sacrament of Confession not only are our sins forgiven, but also we are given the Grace to overcome our sins and thus be freed from them.
During Advent, in preparation for receiving the Grace God wants to give us in Jesus' Incarnation at Christmas, Sacramental Confession is highly recommended. Of course, the opportunity for Sacramental Confession will be available in each of our four parishes in Opelousas at the regularly scheduled times. Also, all parishes in the Diocese will have "the light on for you" from 6:30 until 8pm on Wednesday's during Advent. Finally, there will be a special city wide Penance Service at Our Lady Queen of Angels Church on Monday, December 16, 2013 at 6pm. Besides the pastors of each of the parishes in Opelousas, there will also be other confessors available at the city wide service. The experience of God's Mercy in Sacramental Confession is something we should regularly desire and seek, especially during this season of Advent.
There are still a few of the Advent daily reflections left in the church for those who would like them. The booklets were made possible by the generosity of one of our parishioners. Please thank the benefactor for this generosity by offering a prayer for their benefit during this Advent Season!
God Bless!
Fr. James Brady
The Advent 2013 Penance Services
Zechariah in his prayer to God speaks of his son, John: “And you, child….will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins…” (Luke 1:76-77)
Church: St. Thomas More (Eunice) Date: Dec.9th (Monday) Time: 6:00pm Tri-Parish Penance Service.
Church: St. Charles Borromeo (Grand Coteau) Date: Dec. 11th (Wednesday) Time: 7:00pm
Church: Immaculate Conception (Lebeau) Date: Dec. 13th (Friday) Time: 6:00pm
Church: Our Lady Queen of Angels (Opelousas) Date: Dec. 16th (Monday) Time: 6:00pm City-Wide Penance Service
Church: Holy Ghost (Opelousas) Date: Dec. 19th (Thursday) Time: 6:00pm
The Light is on for YOU
On Wednesdays of Advent---December 11th, and 18th—from 6:30-8:00pm, we will be offering confessions here at St. Landry, together with all the Catholic parishes in the Diocese of Lafayette. This outreach is called “The Light is On For You,” and is an effort on the part of our Diocese to highlight the importance of the Sacrament of Confession in the life of Catholics and to make it as easy as possible for every Catholic to come or to return to this great source of God’s mercy and healing love. You are welcome to come here or to go to any other Catholic parish in the Diocese. Please make plans to come yourself and please invite others to take advantage of this great opportunity to be reconciled and begin anew your journey in faith this Advent.
This week, however, the movement of our heart should be one of repentance and seeking the forgiveness of our sins. John the Baptist, Christ's forerunner, preached repentance for preparation of the coming of Christ. In that regard, we as Catholics are privileged to have the Sacrament of Confession (also referred to as the Sacrament of Reconciliation or Penance). In the Sacrament of Confession not only are our sins forgiven, but also we are given the Grace to overcome our sins and thus be freed from them.
During Advent, in preparation for receiving the Grace God wants to give us in Jesus' Incarnation at Christmas, Sacramental Confession is highly recommended. Of course, the opportunity for Sacramental Confession will be available in each of our four parishes in Opelousas at the regularly scheduled times. Also, all parishes in the Diocese will have "the light on for you" from 6:30 until 8pm on Wednesday's during Advent. Finally, there will be a special city wide Penance Service at Our Lady Queen of Angels Church on Monday, December 16, 2013 at 6pm. Besides the pastors of each of the parishes in Opelousas, there will also be other confessors available at the city wide service. The experience of God's Mercy in Sacramental Confession is something we should regularly desire and seek, especially during this season of Advent.
There are still a few of the Advent daily reflections left in the church for those who would like them. The booklets were made possible by the generosity of one of our parishioners. Please thank the benefactor for this generosity by offering a prayer for their benefit during this Advent Season!
God Bless!
Fr. James Brady
Zechariah in his prayer to God speaks of his son, John: “And you, child….will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins…” (Luke 1:76-77)
Church: St. Thomas More (Eunice) Date: Dec.9th (Monday) Time: 6:00pm Tri-Parish Penance Service.
Church: St. Charles Borromeo (Grand Coteau) Date: Dec. 11th (Wednesday) Time: 7:00pm
Church: Immaculate Conception (Lebeau) Date: Dec. 13th (Friday) Time: 6:00pm
Church: Our Lady Queen of Angels (Opelousas) Date: Dec. 16th (Monday) Time: 6:00pm City-Wide Penance Service
Church: Holy Ghost (Opelousas) Date: Dec. 19th (Thursday) Time: 6:00pm
The Light is on for YOU
On Wednesdays of Advent---December 11th, and 18th—from 6:30-8:00pm, we will be offering confessions here at St. Landry, together with all the Catholic parishes in the Diocese of Lafayette. This outreach is called “The Light is On For You,” and is an effort on the part of our Diocese to highlight the importance of the Sacrament of Confession in the life of Catholics and to make it as easy as possible for every Catholic to come or to return to this great source of God’s mercy and healing love. You are welcome to come here or to go to any other Catholic parish in the Diocese. Please make plans to come yourself and please invite others to take advantage of this great opportunity to be reconciled and begin anew your journey in faith this Advent.
The bulletin for the week of December 08, 2013 has been posted. Click here to see it.The calendar on the website has been updated with all events for the coming week along with prayer intention information and information on the second collection for all of the masses. Take some time to look at our calendar here.
Updates are also being made to our St. Landry Catholic Church blog. You can get to the blog from the church home page under the Bulletins and News section or you can just click here to go to it.
Don't forget, we're also sending out live updates via Twitter. Our Twitter name is StLandryCath. You can see updates by clicking here.
And we're also on Facebook --- friend us! You can see our updates on our page SaintLandryCatholicChurch.
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