As I wouldn't want to count on my memory or any of yours when bringing up something that happened in the past (especially many years ago), I would be willing to guess that most of you don't remember when the "Order of Penance" was promulgated in 1973 by the Church for use in Catholic Churches throughout the world. Since I was around 14 years of age then, I had already been taught and used the "Rite of Penance" that most of you also were taught which included "how to begin" our confessions with, "Bless me Father for I have sinned...it has been ______(time) since my last confession and these are my sins." I don't remember my parish at the time (1973 or after) offering instruction and formation on the "New Rite of the Sacrament of Penance" (or as we now normally refer to it as the Sacrament of Reconciliation). I suspect (though I hope not) that your experience how to go to confession over the years has been about the same. I'm excited about the English translation of the revised "Order of Penance" and hope it will lend itself to parishes throughout our country and beyond, updating our Catholics on the "hows" of Celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and also explain and offer the other rites that are provided besides "The Order of Reconciling Individual Penitents" (or in laymen's terms how to celebrate individually the Sacrament of Reconciliation).

Many people may be surprised by the emphasis the Church has put since Vatican II on the role of the faith community in the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It says, "The whole Church, as a priestly people, acts in different ways in performing the work of reconciliation which has been entrusted to her by the Lord." (Penance #8"). Bringing out clearly the importance of the faithful gathering together, it says "A common celebration more clearly manifests the ecclesial (the body of Christ) nature of Penance. For the faithful together hear the Word of God, which proclaims the mercy of God and invites them to conversion. At the same time, they examine the conformity of their lives to the same word of God "through a communal examination of conscience assist each other by their mutual prayers." (Penance #22). I hope (and will pray) that we all welcome these "Penitential Celebrations" and participate in them for our own benefit AND that of our entire parish commuinity who are always in need of purification and sanctification. Thusly, we will be even more blessed when humbly availing ourselves individually to the Sacrament of Reconciliation!

While some would argue that this is NOT the best time in history to be living (especially with the general moral and spiritual decline in our country, and the violence that is happening to adults, children and babies in the womb), there are many blessings that perhaps we take for granted. One of these is a health care system that now can treat and even cure illnesses that not long ago were untreatable anf often caused certain death. In addition, we now have the means to lessen the suffering of people through medicines and treatments including physical therapy. From a religious perspective, I believe we should give thanks to God for advances and efforts to keep people's pain level as low as possible whether it be short-term, long-term or at the end of people's lives. Of course, our faith tradition is definitely against efforts to end some people's lives in the name of mercy towards them and their situation. Active and even passive euthanasia, and certainly physician assisted suicide go against our call to protect human life from the moment of conception until natural death. Our faith in Jesus Christ, who suffered greatly and willingly for us can (and I hope has or will) help us to persevere in mental, physical and/or emotional suffering that cannot be completely taken away by medicine, counselling or other means. We can and we should pray for healing and strength from God for ourselves or others who are suffering and also ask the Lord to help us and others join our suffering to that of Christ's suffering with the same confidence that Jesus had that the suffering he had to endure (especially through his passion and death) would be for some good! That's why the Lenten Season puts a special emphasis on praying the "Stations of the Cross" either individually or in community as we prepare for the commemoration of Jesus's "Paschal Mystery" during the Easter Triduum. Recalling and meditating on Jesus' suffering from the time of his trial and sentence of death by crucifixion to the moment he died on the cross, can help us and prepare us to persevere in any suffering we will have that cannot be taken away totally through man-made means. History is full of people who suffered without much if any pysical relief and who did so, not cursing God, but praising God and counting on God's help and Christ's example of patient suffering to persevere knowing that like Christ's suffering led to his eternal glory. OUrs, we trust, will have the same result beyond what we can imagine. We have two more community stations of the cross (March 24 & 31 at 6:00 p.m). and we always offer stations of the cross booklets for your individual use at any time.

I have a baseball cap that someone gave me that says "Man of Faith" on it. I haven't worn it all that much, but when I do it seems I'm much more conscious of what it says and means to me and hopefully to those who see it. It makes me think a little more before I speak to others and hopefully how I act toward others. We have a parishioner, Ed Doyle, who is our VIP for the month of March who, in my estimation, doesn't need to wear a hat because his words and actions say that he is a "man of faith", a "man of integrity" and a "man of action" in the name of Jesus Christ. Just recently he coordinated the parish men's retreat, which I have been told was a blessing to those men who took time to participate in it. Looking ahead, Ed is also coordinating the next Knights of Columbus Taste of Faith seminarian fundraising dinner here at Sacred Heart in July, which I'm confident will go well in large part because of his leadership. Ed has been the leader of our Knights of Columbus Council 10208 as its Grand Knight and the leader of our 4th degree Assembly as its Faithful Navigator. He and his wife, Paula (who is a past VIP) are Extraordinary Ministers of Communion at Mass and both have been faithful in the Ministry of Eucharistic Adoration since, I believe, its inception. In recent years, Ed stepped up when the need presented itself to be a faith formation leader for our young people in our REY program. Ed and his wife, Paula, have helped to welcome newcomers in our parish and inform them of what's happening here at Sacred Heart Parish as members of our welcoming committee. He has been a bible study group leader and participant as he seeks to grow in his faith and encourage others to do so. He has volunteered at Good Sam's and at Jackson House (which provides food and clothing for those in need of this help). Ed (and Paula) have been a blessing to our parish community (and to all who are helped thorugh our Knoghts of Columbus Council and Assembly) since they moved to the Village in 2002. At a time in his life when many people step back from activities (and ministries) Ed has shown and continues to give an example to us all thot our baptismal commitment is a lifelong calling amd commitment and something we can do in various ways until our physical and/or mental abilities prevent us from doing so. I can't think of a better person to have as our VIP for the Lenten Season that Ed Doyle. Thanks Ed, and firstly, thank the Lord for the gift that Ed has been and continues to be for us and for the honor and glory of God.