External preparations form part of the season of Advent: they help create the Christmas atmosphere of joy and expectation. A lot of people are extremely busy at this time. All this is part of the Advent season but it’s not the most important thing. Let us never lose sight of the utmost importance of our interior preparation to celebrate the first coming of Our Lord: “by preparing my heart, so that Jesus may be happy” as the little girl once said with all the simplicity and truth which can only come from a child. We do that, or rather God does that, in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, or Confession as it’s better known. It offers us an important way of getting closer to God (or rather God getting close to us) – to be forgiven for our sins. As Pope Francis puts it “it’s an encounter with the Lord’s mercy which spurs us on to do our best”.
Confession is not a tool of spiritual one-upmanship for the highly committed and ultra-pious. It should be a normative part of the Christian life and above all something we should offer to new Christians and to the undecided. How can we hold back from that wonderful joy of knowing God’s complete forgives us? This beautiful sacrament has the power to renew your lives.
Now is the time to plan, prepare and make your Christmas Confession. Is your heart ready to receive the Christ Child this Christmass?? Come and celebrate this sacrament of renewal and transformation.
Wed 19 Dec: 10.00 – 10.30am & 11am onwards*
Thu 20 Dec: After 7pm Mass
Fri 21 Dec: 6.00 – 6.30 pm
Sat 22 Dec: 10.00 – 10.30 am & 6.00 – 6.30 pm
Sun 23 Dec: 11am onwards*
Mon 24 Dec: 10.30 – 11.00 pm
Or by appointment with Fr Robert (Tel: 01977 610507)
* On Wed 19 Dec Fr David will be available after Mass and after the Sung Mass on Sunday 23 December
