This evening would have been our opportunity to gather as a people mindful of our sins and of God’s mercy for the Lenten Communal Reconciliation Service. Because of our “shut down” caused by our efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus, in union with all in our community and world, we will not be gathering. I’m sure I would have had some clever connection between sin and April Fools’ Day in the homily! Though the Service is cancelled, we can take advantage of the opportunity to embrace more deeply the Lenten practice of repentance and penance at home. God’s forgiveness is not extended to us only in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In our Church’s Tradition, it is also poured upon us when we receive the Eucharist with a proper disposition (acknowledgement of sin, belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, trust in God’s overwhelming mercy, etc.), when we do an act of charity in the name of Christ, in the “Perfect Act of Contrition” we’ve promoted in these dark days, etc.
How to Make a Perfect Act of Contrition
Act of Contrition
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.
These manners other than the Sacrament of Reconciliation are normally for venial sin; mortal sins are normally forgiven only in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, though there are times, such as the one we find ourselves now, that we believe God extends forgiveness for mortal sin in other ways, like the Perfect Act of Contrition, as long as the penitent pledges to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation when it again becomes available.
This is also an opportunity for a “refresher” on mortal sin. Three conditions must be present for a sin to be judged “mortal”: 1) It is a grave matter; 2) The grave act, or failure to act when one should, must be done with full knowledge of the gravity of the matter; and 3)The grave act or failure to act, done with full knowledge of its gravity, must be done with full freedom, no coercion, which could also include something done out of habit (of course, we may be culpable for the formation of the habit in the first place- that’s a different sin). Without these three conditions being fulfilled, sins are venial in nature, and can be forgiven by God in the ways noted above.
Thank you, and let us be consoled by the wonderful, generous mercy of God, who has reconciled the world to Himself through His Son, Jesus Christ, and has sent the Holy Spirit upon us for the forgiveness of sins!
Hello All. I hope you are all staying safe, healthy, prayerful, and home (except when essential to venture out). As we enter the 3rdweek of the suspension of life and activities in the parish, know that we are dedicated to maintaining contact with you, and know that you can call the parish office (466-3811) if you have emergency-needs (messages are checked regularly). Members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society are responding to requests for food, rental assistance, etc. in these financially tenuous times. Fr. Pat is allowed to go out celebrate the Sacraments of Anointing of the Sick and Confession with those who are nearing death. Here is a run-down of our status:
• The students of our school are continuing classes in their homes, through on-line instruction. The teachers are working hard and doing an excellent job of continuing their academic and spiritual formation of their students.The current date on which a re-consideration of the end of the suspension of parish life is April 13. Given the recent adjustment on the federal level (end of April), this date will likely be extended in our parishes as well.
Do take advantage of this opportunity to enhance your prayer life, and catechetical formation. The diocesan and parish websites have ample ideas for this; go to formed.org for more ideas.
As you are able, please continue offering your donations to the parish. We’re doing what we can to cut expenses during this “down-time” e.g. turning off the heat in the buildings, etc., but there are normal bills that have to be paid. Our on-line giving option, found on our website, has been enhanced to allow for setting up recurring donations from either a credit card or bank checking account.
God will bring us through this, and if we open our hearts to Him, that will be to a place that is more marked by holiness, peace and joy!
As we move toward the 5th Sunday of Lent, living under the “Stay at Home” order, let us not forget to keep our good Lord in the center of our lives. Tomorrow, as we observe the discipline of not eating meet, consider joining Bishop Daly in also making it a day of fasting, for the intention of a speedy end to the coronavirus pandemic. With no public Masses being celebrated in the parishes of the diocese, you are encouraged to join in the livestream Mass from the Cathedral, with Bishop Daly as Presider, at 9 am on Sunday. Simply go to dioceseofspokane.org or to thomasmorespokane.org for the link to the livestream. There are several other Masses being livestreamed that you can access, as well as Masses shown on TV (EWTN, for instance, or Mass from the Immaculate Heart Retreat Center on Sunday at 12 noon on cable channel 14- Fr. Pat is the Presider for that this week). That is an opportunity to make a “Spiritual Communion” as well, a special font of God’s grace available to us in these times:
Prayer for Spiritual Communion
My Jesus,
I believe that You
are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment
receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You.
Amen.
As there are no celebrations of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, except in danger of death, consider the “Perfect Act of Contrition” which is an experience of God’s grace of forgiveness:
How to Make a Perfect Act of Contrition
Act of Contrition
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.
Thank you for your patience and gentle fidelity during these trying times. Keep praying, spending time with your family, and keeping in touch with one another.
Please, also, continue your financial support of our parish, as we continue to incur expenses in carrying out the mission of the Church, even in these days of suspension of activities. On the parish website you can donate on-line (thomasmorespokane.org/give). This feature has been enhanced to that you can now arrange for recurring donations, using either your bank checking account information or your credit card information.
Let us continue to pray, with trust that God will bring us through this with a deepened faith, hope, and joy. Let us never waver in our response to God’s call to love Him, and love one another.
God’s blessings be upon you!
MEMO
Date: March 25, 2020
To: All the Faithful of eastern Washington
From: Most Rev. Thomas A. Daly
Re: COVID – 19 Update
As promised, I am writing to provide an update on our diocesan response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The speed at which this infection is spreading only seems to increase. I am very concerned about our health care workers and the potential of overwhelming our hospitals in eastern Washington. I want our parishes and institutions to play a role in preventing the spread of this virus. Therefore, I am announcing the following requirements which will remain in place until Monday, April 13th.
I understand some of these requirements are drastic and disappointing. However, my hope is that they will help to facilitate a speedy end to the spread of COVID-19. I once again entrust the faithful of eastern Washington to the Blessed Mother under the title of Our Lady of Lourdes. Just as God has granted countless healings through her intercession in the past, may we receive that same healing today.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Live Jesus in our hearts, forever.
Dear Parishioners,
As a practical response to the governor’s “Stay Home” order, and in collaboration with our diocesan directives, we sadly will be suspending Adoration and the Sacrament of Confessions until further notice. This evening, the Adoration Chapel will close; we will notify you when it will re-open. There will be no scheduled Confessions until further notice. Please see the notice from Pope Francis with regard to experiencing God’s forgiveness through a perfect Act of Contrition (which was sent out earlier and is on the parish website), and do take advantage of the opportunity for prayer at home, knowing Jesus Christ is present in all places and times—maybe set up your own “adoration table” at home, with a table covered with a white cloth, and placing on it a crucifix or image of Christ, a candle, a Bible, etc.
On March 20th, Pope Francis live streamed a message regarding the issue of people who cannot get to Confession because of the COVID-19 lockdown. The Holy Father reminded us of the traditional Catholic teaching on the power of making a perfect act of contrition. He remarked, "This is the right time, the opportune moment. An act of contrition done well, and our souls will become white like the snow."
What is perfect act of contrition? The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that perfect contrition is present when our sadness for sin results from our love for God above all else. In short, perfect contrition is hatred for sin because we love God. On the other hand, imperfect contrition is the result of fear, which is to say, I am sad for my sin because I am afraid of Hell. One results from love. The other results from fear.
When we go to sacramental Confession, imperfect contrition is sufficient to receive the pardon of our sins. However, in extraordinary circumstances when we cannot get to Confession, we can make an act of perfect contrition which is sufficient to have our sins forgiven. It is important to note that a perfect act of contrition includes the intention to receive sacramental Confession at the very first opportunity. All mortal sins, forgiven through the act of perfect contrition, must be mentioned to the priest in Confession as soon as possible.
The fact that we can always make an act of perfect contrition in a situation like the COVID-19 pandemic is very consoling. At this time of plague and being unable to go to the Sacrament of Penance, Pope Francis instructs us to make a perfect act of contrition and promise God, “I will go to confession afterward, but forgive me now. And immediately you will return to a state of grace with God."
This generosity on the part of God has been needed at various times throughout history. In the plagues of Middle Ages, in the midst of various wars, and in places where priests were scarce, the ability to make a perfect act of contrition was a healing salve for sinners in love with God.
That same healing is available to all of us at this difficult time.
How to Make a Perfect Act of Contrition
Act of Contrition
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.
It was so strange. For the first time in 30 years of priesthood, yesterday I walked into a dark church building that was not going to come to life for the celebration of Sunday Masses. As directed by the bishop, I celebrated a private Mass, for the intention of St. Thomas More parishioners. Since last Wednesday, I have also been celebrating private daily Masses, including the personal priest-intentions requested (N.B. theintentions of the other Sunday Masses have been transferred to open daily Masses). Private Masses are also something I’venever done in 30 years of priesthood. It’s prayerful, but it’s certainly not the same joyful, rich experience of Mass with the congregation.
The Mass readings for yesterday spoke of light—with the declaration of Christ as the Light of the World! In this dark time in our church’s life, with restricted parish activity, we want to see the light at the end of the tunnel. And the true Light, Jesus Christ, who has come into the world, is certainly there. But, he is also with us in the tunnel; there are “light switches” all along the way. What are some of these?
• View a Mass on TV or on-line, or read the Mass readings of the day, and make a “spiritual communion.” CertainlyJesus Christ, who is infinitely generous and bigger than we can ever imagine, will fill those with his grace who come to him and receive him in this way.While virtually everything in the parish is “on hold” for now, do know that:
• The parish office is open Monday-Friday, 8 am-12 noon if you need anything, or want to drop off your donations for the Parish, The St. Vincent de Paul Society, and/or Family to Family.Regularly check the parish (thomasmorespokane.org) and diocesan (dioceseofspokane.org) websites for updates and information. If you know a fellow parishioner who is not signed up for Flocknotes, please encourage them to do so. They can call the parish office if they need assistance. This is our primary means of communication at this time.
May God continue to bless us in this time of darkness with the grace of Christ, the Light of the World!
Dear Parishioners,
As we enter this first weekend of “Church without Masses,” to me this brings a sense of emptiness. What can we do to fill that empty space, in ways that are holy and wholesome? Here are a few ideas:
In these numbing and surreal times, God will do some marvelous things for us, as we open our hearts to Him in new and creative ways!
God’s blessings,
Fr. Pat