PARISH LETTER
December 11, 2020​

On behalf of Father Joseph, he sincerely hopes and prays this email finds all of you well and in good health.
 
First and foremost, our Pastor wants to inform the congregation that our beloved Father Mike is feeling much better as his health is improving by the day, with full of gratitude for all your prayers, love and support.
 
Secondly, Father Joseph has not yet received his PCR test results, and though he continues to have no signs or symptoms, he will continue to self-quarantine for precautionary reasons until receipt of the laboratory report.
 
On a separate matter, starting tomorrow, Corpus Christi will commence the celebration of daily Masses every Saturday at 8:30 a.m. followed by Confession. As to tomorrow morning, Reverend John Bosco Duraisamy will be the celebrant of the feast day Mass in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
 
Furthermore, during the Advent season leading up to Christmas, Father Joseph and Father Gustavo will listen to the confessions of parishioners and visitors following the celebration of weekday and weekend Masses. Amid the many ways Catholics prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is often overlooked, yet a good confession can be one of the best ways to enter into the joy of the nativity with a clean heart, light and love. Paraphrasing Cardinal Henry Newman, we have a right to this most personalized encounter with Christ. Why wouldn’t we want Confession, to be able to unburden ourselves of these cares to somebody bound by the seal of Confession and giving us a counsel personalized for the benefit of our salvation.
 
And so, let us receive the word of John the Baptist with open minds and hearts to “prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his path” by going to confession, spending additional time in prayer, and proclaiming the Gospel in word and action.
 
Tips for the Sacrament of Reconciliation
PREPARATION
Before going to confession, take some time to prepare. Begin with prayer, and reflect on your life since your last confession. How have you — in your thoughts, words, and actions — neglected to live Christ’s commands to “love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind,” and to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37, 39)? As a help with this “examination of conscience,” you might review the Ten Commandments or the Beatitudes (Exodus 20:2-17; Deuteronomy 5:6-21; Matthew 5:3-10; or Luke 6:20-26).
 
GREETING
Father Joseph, Father Gustavo or the assigned priest will welcome you, and may say a short blessing or read a Scripture passage.

THE SIGN OF THE CROSS
Together, you and the priest will make the Sign of the Cross. You may then begin your confession with these or similar words: “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been (give days, months, or years) since my last confession.”

CONFESSION
Confess your sins to the priest. If you are unsure what to say, ask the priest for help. When you are finished, conclude with these or similar words: “I am sorry for these and all my sins.”

PENANCE
The priest will propose an act of penance. The penance might be prayer, a work of mercy, or an act of charity. He might also counsel you on how to better live a Christian life.

ACT OF CONTRITION
After the priest has conferred your penance, pray an Act of Contrition, expressing sorrow for your sins and resolving to sin no more. A suggested Act of Contrition is: “My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In His name, my God, have mercy.”

ABSOLUTION
The priest will extend his hands and pronounce the words of absolution. You respond, “Amen.”

DISMISSAL
The priest will conclude the Sacrament, often saying, “Go in peace.”  
If it has been a while since your last confession, remember, “Do not fear” (Isaiah 41:10). Father Joseph, Father Gustavo or the assigned priest will help guide you.

Daily (Weekday) Mass Schedule
Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.
   Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m.
   Thursdays at 8:30 a.m.
   Fridays at 8:30 a.m.
   Saturdays at 8:30 a.m.

Weekend Mass Schedule
   Saturdays at 5:00 p.m. (Vigil Mass in English)
   Saturdays at 7:00 p.m. (Vigil Mass in Spanish)
   Sundays at 8:00 a.m.
   Sundays at 11:00 a.m.
   Sundays at 5:00 p.m.