Fr. Joseph Whalen's Corner

 

 from Fr. Joe’s corner
http://www.straphaeloil.com/

 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyic, “My son, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:5

 

“In Sunday’s Gospel (Mark 2:1-12) Jesus forgives the paralytic man his sins and only then does Jesus heal him of his paralysis. Jesus knew the paralytic needed spiritual healing before physical healing. FORGIVENESS is necessary before we receive God’s healing graces and for spiritual growth.

 

Even little forgotten unforgivingnesses keep us bound in suffering after death.
Your forgiveness can trigger someone else’s conversion!

 

Spiritual healing precedes physical healing. God wants to heal you from the inside out.The most powerful healing we can receive on earth is our reconciliation with God broken through sin. There is no limit on how many times we can receive the great Sacrament of Reconciliation, and the graces we receive are limitless!
When we are truly sorry for offending God, and breaking His Commandments, confession becomes transformation.

 

The Sacrament of Reconciliation doesn’t just empty us of the past; it also fills us with God’s grace for the future.

 

In confession, Jesus lifts the weight of our past sins from our shoulders so that we can go out into the world free from guilt, inspired by grace to say an even firmer no to sin than before.

 

Jesus has given us the grace of confession not only to forgive us but also to strengthen us against temptation.

 

Don’t miss the opportunity to go to confession.
And when you do, know that the grace is there both to absolve and to fill you with divine grace.
A Grace that brings you closer to Jesus and strengthens you against temptation.”

Bless me, Father, for I have sinned…

If you haven’t gone to confession in a while, now is the perfect time to reconcile yourself with God and the Church. Most parishes have Confessions on Saturday or you can also make a private appointment with a priest. (a necessity for absolution of mortal sins) Preparation for confession should include an examination of conscience, which means you think back on sins you have committed since your last confession. God looks at the heart. Be truly sorry for having offended Him. What happens during confession depends on the priest and the person. Most people still start with the formula: “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been (state the number of months or years) since my last confession.” If you can’t remember the words or you don’t recall how long it’s been, don’t worry. Just tell the priest it’s been a long time, and he will guide you through the process. What you will experience is the healing gift of God’s love, the chance to start over with a clean conscience, and an overwhelming sense of gratitude.     OSV | My Catholic Faith | Make a Good Confession ADVENT HEALING SERVCE Fr. Joseph Whalen, M.S. Fr. John E. Welch, M.S. DECEMBER 13TH 6:45 PM St. Gabriel the Archangel Church 151 Mendon Street Upton, MA 01568 For more info contact: (802) 343-0573 Healing Service Benediction Confessions www.straphaeloil.com