Sacrament of Penance/Confession

11:00 Every Saturday Morning or by appointment:

All sin is an offense against God and a rejection of his perfect love and justice. Yet, Jesus makes a distinction between two types of sins. We call the most serious and grave sins, mortal sins. Mortal sins destroy the grace of God in the heart of the sinner. By their very grave nature, a mortal sin cuts our relationship off from God and turns man away from his creator. St. Paul’s letter to the Hebrews tell us that “if we sin willfully after having the knowledge of the truth, there is now left no sacrifice for sins” (Hebrews 10:26).

The second type of sin, venial sin, that of less grave matter, does not cut us off from Christ. However, venial sin does weaken grace in the soul and damages our relationship with God. A person who frequently indulges in venial sin is very likely to collapse into mortal sin if they persist in their evil ways.
In order for a sin to be mortal, it must meet three conditions:

     •Mortal sin is a sin of grave matter

     •Mortal sin is committed with full knowledge of the sinner

     •Mortal sin is committed with deliberate consent of the sinner

This means that mortal sins cannot be done “accidentally.” A person who commits a mortal sin is one who knows that their sin is wrong, but still deliberately commits the sin anyway. This means that mortal sins are “premeditated” by the sinner and thus are truly a rejection of God’s law and love.

How to make one’s Confession

Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.

I confess to God Almighty and to you, Father.

It has been ___________ (days, weeks, months, years) since my last confession.

I have received absolution and performed (not performed) my penance.

Then you tell your sins. All mortal sins must be confessed in order to make a good confession. Venial sins may be confessed, and it is a very beneficial to do so on a spiritual level. When you have finished, add:
For these and all the sins that I can’t remember, and all the sins of my past life (you can specify one or another), I ask pardon of God and penance and absolution of you, Father.

The priest then may give you some words of advise and he gives you a penance. Then you say your act of contrition.

An act of Contrition

(Traditional Version)

O my God,  I am heartily sorry for
having offended Thee,
and I detest all my sins,
because I dread the loss of heaven,
and the pains of hell;
but most of all because they offend Thee, my God,
Who are all good and deserving of all my love.
I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace,
to confess my sins, to do penance,
and to amend my life.
Amen.

(Contemporary Version)

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.
Amen.

The priest gives the absolution.   Your sins are forgiven, go in peace

What is different about CATHOLIC Worship?

If you go to some Non-Catholic churches they make look similar to a Catholic Mass.  If you go to other non-Catholic services it will look nothing like a Catholic Mass, but will include a sermon, and worship/praise music.  Normally, when we ask the 'What is different questions' we are talking about what the service looks like.   However, I would like to go even deeper:  What is the GOAL of the service.

If you go to a non-Catholic service, whether it is very liturgical or very loose, it has very similar goals.  The goal is to move the heart of the congregation to help them grow in faith.   The Music is to move the congregation.  The celebration of the Lord's supper or table fellowship is done to move people towards faith.  The goal of worship God is to help the individual grow in faith for their personal relationship with God.  This means that if there is NO congregation then they would NOT do the service.  The service only effects the congregation.  It also means that the congregation must be able to hear and see every part.

However, the goal of Mass is different.   Oviously the reading of scripture and the homily is to move people in faith, however, we are being moved in faith so that we can participate in the Eucharist.  The main goal of the Eucharist is NOT focused on the people.  In fact, for the first 2000 years(up until 50 years ago) the Eucharistic prayer was said silently, and in the Byzantine tradition the priest would go behind an icon screen for the Eucharistic prayer.   So what is happening in Catholic worship during this time?

The bread and wine are transformed into the body and blood of Christ.  Then we participate in the One perpetual offering of the Son to the Father for the Forgiveness of sins.   We are participating in the REDEMPTIVE Act of God.  This is an objective Reality of the internal working of God being made available in the world.   The main act of the congregation is to raise their hearts and mind to God offering themselves in  spiritual sacrifice along with Christ.   Since Mass is participation in the Objective work of God, then it even happens without a congregation.  The goals of Mass happen even if the congregation does NOT hear the prayers being said.   Worship is focused on God and the objective works of God.   Then the congregation participates again when God gives himself to his bride in the Eucharist.  The worship becomes ONE with Christ as they receive communion.

It is good to have uplifting music.  It is good to have a well prepared, meaningful sermon.  But it is redemptive, and bring salvation, to participate in the saving act of God that happens at the Mass.   This is the big difference in worship.   Comments welcome.

peace

Reason or Emotions

I have been reading about philosophy.  I have had some very interesting ideas.  During the middle ages scholars accross the board spoke about the emotions as being the most dangerous part of the human intellect.  The emotions tend to be very unstable, and lead to spontaneous and often selfish responses.  They held up REASON as the most important part of the human intellect.

However, in our American culture, if you look at pop culture, emotions are the most important, and reason is NOT very important at all.   Rather than telling a young person to use reason when making a decision, they are told to do what feels right, be yourself, follow your heart.  In other words, your emotions are much more important than your mind.  It is totally different from the medivel mindset.

Why the difference???   Here is my hypothesis.  I would love to hear your ideas and comments.   In the middle ages, life was much closer to the animal world.  Almost EVERYONE lived on a farm.  Animals would have been part of every persons life for food, for travel, and other areas.   Since animals were always present(Wild animals and domestic animals) people wanted to separate themselves from animals.  Animals appeared to just fulfill all their whims.    REASON separated us from the animals.

Today, we are no longer close to animals so we do NOT have to make that distinction.  Today we are surrounded by machines and computer.   Machines and computers are always present, and the thing that distinquishes us from machines is NOT our reason, but our emotions.    Our emotions separate us from computers.   Our emotions make us human (As Spock and Data both showed in the Star Trek programs.)

Emotions or Reason???  It seems to depend on how we want to define ourselves in our environment.   We are made up of EMOTIONS, REASON, and the WILL.   Perhaps it is the WILL that is really important.

peace

What Bible Should I get?

It has been awhile.  We are long overdue for a new blog post.  I would like to answer the common question:   What bible should I use?  This is an excellent question.

My answer is:  New American Bible (NAB).  I have a number of reasons why this is the best translastion.

1.  It is very easy to read.  It is not choppy or clumsy.  It flows very well.

2.  This is the translation we use at Mass.  If you are going to memorize scripture and pray with scripture, it would be good to learn with the translation we use at Mass.  This will connect your private prayer and study with our liturgy.

3.  Excellent footnotes:  On each page there are good footnotes which help to understand what the scripture says.

4.  Cross References:  This is my favorite feature.  If a passage is connected to another passage in scripture it is Marked. 

5.  The NAB Bible can be VERY inexpensive.   The cheaper versions only costs $6.95.  I would be careful with the cheaper versions because they may have very small print.   Although, all versions(even the cheaper ones) have the same footnotes and cross references.   You could get a full sized version for only $9.99.


6.   There is also a very good STUDY VERSION.   This is what I use for a Bible.   It includes a summary of the each book in the bible including the theology and an outline.  There is an index, and also includes all the readings which are read at Mass so you can prepare for Sunday Mass with this bible.  It includes many other great features for study and prayer.

www.amazon.com/Catholic-Study-Bible-Donald-Senior/dp/0195282787/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1271644753&sr=8-4

So there is my answer.  I would encourage people to read the New American Bible, and If you are going to do bible study, you may want the Study Edition.

Here are so other translations and my comments:

NIV:  New International Version-- This is currently one of the most popular Protestant versions of the bible.  It is very easy to read, and that makes it very desireable.  It does have some translation errors from ideology.  Example:  The word tradition is often used in the bible.  Some Protestants do not like tradition.  Where the Greek word for tradition is used NEGATIVELY it is translated "tradition", when the same word is used Postively it is translated "teachings".  In that way the word tradition is NEVER positive.  Also, the footnotes are often flawed.

Douay Rhiems translation:  This was an English Catholic Translation of scriptures done BEFORE the King James Version.   It is a very beautiful translation in Shakespearean English.  It can be very difficult for modern readers.  If you love the English languagen and beauty, and are not worried about "thee" and "thy", you will enjoy this translation.

RSV- Revised Standard Version:   Often professors will encourage their students to use  this translation.  It is very accurate which makes it good for Bible study.  However, because it is closer to the ancient language, the English translation can be a little choppy and difficult to read.  This would be good for study, but not for prayer.  Also, it does not have as many footnotes as I would like.  Remember to get the Catholic Edition so that you will have the Deuterocanonical books.

Holy Thursday 17 years ago

17 years ago I had the privilege to  spend Holy Week in Jerusalem.  We celebrated the Mass of the Lord's Supper near the Cenacle where Jesus would have had that Last Supper almost 2000 years ago.   What was even more power than that was what happened next.

We went to the Mount of Olives to pray.   The site where Jesus would have prayed is now a church.  It is the church of "All Nations".   It is a very beautiful 20th century church.

 As I entered the church I looked around and it was full of people, but there was not a single sound.   People were gathered at the stone where Jesus would have prayed in the garden.  This is the place where he would have sweat blood, and prayed to his father to take the cup from him, but out of PERFECT obedience to the Father accepted his mission.

I prayed a long time that night.  I didn't want to leave.   Was in the place where Jesus prayed.  I was in the Place where Jesus was arrested.  I was in the place where the disciples fled.   I was left asking myself:   Would I flee today?

Tonight we are given that same challenge.  WE are called to wash each other's feet.  We are called to spend that one hour with Jesus.   We are invited to LOVE.   How do we respond.

Here is a video about the church:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=SR7MEUm9Sno&feature=player_embedded

Scripture and the News

Greetings,

The sex scandal has been in the new constantly.   It seems that the media is doing everything at their disposal to try to bring Pope Benedict down.  They are trying to make connections to him that don't exist.  Any abuse is a tragedy, but it seems certain groups are using this abuse in a concentrated attack.  It made me reflect on this scripture:

Zechariah 13:7    "Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who stands next to me," says the LORD of hosts. "Strike the shepherd, that the sheep may be scattered..""

They want to scatter the sheep by attacking the shepherd.  Let us pray for the Pope.   In the Pope's inargaral address he asked for our prayers.    Here is the prayer the Poped asked for:

My dear friends
at this moment I can only say:
pray for me,
that I may learn to love the Lord more and more.
Pray for me, that I may learn to love his flock more and more
– in other words, you, the holy Church,
each one of you and all of you together.
Pray for me,
that I may not flee for fear of the wolves.
Let us pray for one another,
that the Lord will carry us
and that we will learn to carry one another.
[Pope Benedict XVI, 24 April, 2005]


peace

Stations of the Cross

The Stations of the Cross are a wonderful devotion, especially during Lent and Holy Week.   Read what is happening in the station.  Say the prayer.  then look at the picture.  Meditate on the scene:  What is Jesus thinking and feeling? What is happening to the bystanders?  What does this mean in my life?  What does this scene say about God, etc.?    Then say the prayer at the end.  Just so you know the prayers I am using are same as the pope used a few years ago.    The Pictures of the Stations are from Holy Cross Parish in Kaukauna, Wisconsin.

FIRST STATION

Jesus is condemned to death

V/. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
R/. Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ, you accepted an unjust judgment.
Grant to us and to all the men and women of our time
the grace to remain faithful to the truth.
Do not allow the weight of responsibility
for the sufferings of the innocent
fall upon us and upon those who come after us.
To you, O Jesus, just Judge,
be honour and glory for ever and ever.

R. Amen.

SECOND STATION



Jesus takes up his Cross

V/. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
R/. Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ, who accept the Cross at the hands of men
to make of it the sign
of God’s saving love for humanity,
grant us and all the men and women of our time
the grace of faith in this infinite love.
By passing on to the new millennium
the sign of the Cross,
may we be authentic witnesses to the Redemption.
To you, O Jesus, Priest and Victim,
be praise and glory for ever.

R. Amen.


THIRD STATION


Jesus falls the first time

V/. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
R/. Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

PRAYER

O Christ, as you fall under the weight of our faults
and rise again for our justification,
we pray, help us
and all who are weighed down by sin
to stand up again
and continue the journey.
Give us the strength of the Spirit
to carry with you the cross of our weakness.
To you, O Jesus, crushed under the weight of our faults
be our praise and love for ever.

R. Amen.



FOURTH STATION


Jesus meets his Mother

V/. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
R/. Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

PRAYER

O Mary, who walked
the way of the Cross with your Son,
your mother’s heart torn by grief,
but mindful always of your fiat
and fully confident that He to whom nothing is impossible
would be able to fulfil his promises,
implore for us and for the generations yet to come
the grace of surrender to God’s love.
Help us, in the face of suffering, rejection, and trial,
however prolonged and severe,
never to doubt his love.
To Jesus, your Son,
honour and glory for ever and ever.

R. Amen.


FIFTH STATION


Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry his Cross

V/. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
R/. Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

PRAYER

O Christ, you gave to Simon of Cyrene
the dignity of carrying your Cross.
Welcome us too under its weight,
welcome all men and women
and grant to everyone the gift of readiness to serve.
Do not permit that we should turn away from those
who are crushed by the cross of illness
loneliness, hunger or injustice.
As we carry each other’s burdens,
help us to become witnesses to the gospel of the Cross
and witnesses to you,
who live and reign for ever and ever.

R. Amen.


SIXTH STATION


Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

V/. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
R/. Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ,
you accepted a woman’s
selfless gesture of love,
and in exchange ordained
that future generations should remember her
by the name of your face.
Grant that our works
and the works of all who will come after us
will make us like unto you
and will leave in the world the reflection
of your infinite love.
To you, O Jesus, splendour of the Father’s glory,
be praise and glory for ever.

R. Amen.


SEVENTH STATION


Jesus falls the second time

V/. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
R/. Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ,
you fall under the weight of human sin
and you get up again in order to take it upon yourself and cancel it.
Give to us, weak men and women,
the strength to carry the cross of daily life
and to get up again from our falls,
so that we may bring to future generations
the Gospel of your saving power.
To you, O Jesus, our support when we are weak,
be praise and glory for ever.

R. Amen.


EIGHTH STATION


Jesus speaks to the women of Jerusalem

V/. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
R/. Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

PRAYER

O Christ, you came into this world
to visit all those who await salvation.
Grant that our generation
will recognize the time of its visitation
and share in the fruits of your redemption.
Do not permit that there should be weeping for us
and for the men and women of the new century
because we have rejected our merciful Father’s outstretched hand.
To you, O Jesus, born of the Virgin Daughter of Zion,
be honour and praise for ever and ever.

R. Amen.


NINTH STATION


Jesus falls the third time

V/. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
R/. Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ,
through your humiliation beneath the Cross
you revealed to the world the price of its redemption.
Grant to the men and women of the third millennium
the light of faith,
so that, as they recognize in you
the Suffering Servant of God and man,
they may have the courage to follow the same path
which, by way of the Cross and self-emptying,
leads to life without end.
To you, O Jesus, our support when we are weak,
be honour and glory for ever.

R. Amen.


TENTH STATION


Jesus is stripped of his clothes

V/. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
R/. Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus,
who, with supreme dedication,
accepted death on the Cross for our salvation,
grant to us and to all the world’s people
a share in your sacrifice on the Cross,
so that what we are and what we do
may always be a free and conscious sharing
in your work of salvation.
To you, O Jesus, Priest and Victim,
be honour and glory for ever.

R. Amen.


ELEVENTH STATION


Jesus is nailed to the Cross

V/. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
R/. Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

PRAYER

O Christ lifted high,
O Love crucified,
fill our hearts with your love,
that we may see in your Cross
the sign of our redemption
and, drawn by your wounds,
we may live and die with you,
who live and reign with the Father and the Spirit,
now and for ever.

R. Amen.


TWELFTH STATION


Jesus dies on the Cross

V/. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
R/. Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ,
in the moment of your agony
you were not indifferent to humanity’s fate,
and with your last breath
you entrusted to the Father’s mercy
the men and women of every age,
with all their weaknesses and sins.
Fill us and the generations yet to come
with your Spirit of love,
so that our indifference
will not render vain in us
the fruits of your death.
To you, crucified Jesus, the wisdom and the power of God,
be honour and glory for ever and ever.

R. Amen.


THIRTEENTH STATION


Jesus is taken down from the Cross and given to his Mother

V/. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
R/. Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

PRAYER

Salve, Regina, Mater misericordiæ;
vita dulcedo et spes nostra, salve.
Ad te clamamus...
illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte
et Iesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui,
nobis post hoc exilium ostende.
Implore for us the grace of faith, hope and charity,
so that we, like you,
may stand without flinching beneath the Cross
until our last breath.
To your Son, Jesus, our Saviour,
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
all honour and glory for ever and ever.

R. Amen.


FOURTEENTH STATION


Jesus is laid in the tomb

V/. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
R/. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ,
by the power of the Holy Spirit,
you were drawn by the Father
from the darkness of death
to the light of a new life in glory.
Grant that the sign of the empty tomb
may speak to us and to future generations
and become a wellspring of living faith,
generous love,
and unshakeable hope.
To you, O Jesus, whose presence, hidden and victorious,
fills the history of the world,
be honour and glory for ever and ever.

R. Amen.