Here is an article I wrote for the cover of this week’s bulletin.<\/p>\n
Is It New Year\u2019s Already?<\/strong><\/p>\n Today we celebrate the beginning of a new year.\u00a0 If you look at most calendars, you might think I have really lost it.\u00a0 The calendars that hang on our walls are normally based on the secular calendar where the new year begins on January 1st<\/sup>, which is still 31 days away.<\/p>\n It is not the secular new year I am talking about.\u00a0 Today begins a new year on our church calendar.\u00a0 The most important day on our church calendar is Easter.\u00a0 Christmas is number two.\u00a0 Jesus\u2019 birth marks a new beginning for God\u2019s people.\u00a0 Recognizing this new beginning in Christ, this is the time of year our Church chooses to celebrate the new year but not on Christmas. Instead the Church gives us the Season of Advent as a time of reflection on our readiness.<\/p>\n Think of it this way, looking at the secular calendar, we put New Year\u2019s resolutions into effect on January 1st<\/sup> as a day of new beginning but before<\/em><\/strong> we come to January 1st<\/sup> we reflect on our lives and what need to improve.\u00a0 For us as Catholics, Christmas is the time of new beginning but we use Advent as a time of getting ready.\u00a0 We don\u2019t have to look far to see Christmas decorations already starting to appear but for we need to celebrate Advent first.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n We see many different beginnings.\u00a0 It begins with our conception, followed by our Baptism neither of which is ever repeated.\u00a0 Other beginnings, like the years that pass repeat.\u00a0 Jesus offers us a new beginning in the Sacrament of Reconciliation to confess our sins and the slate is wiped cleaned.\u00a0 This Saturday (December 6th<\/sup>), we will celebrate a Penance Service at one p.m.\u00a0 Several of our children will be celebrating the Sacrament for the first time but we will have several of our area priests there so that we can offer the Sacrament to all.\u00a0 If you can\u2019t make it then, we offer the Sacrament each week on Saturday from 2:30 to 4:00 pm.<\/p>\n Maybe it has been some time since you have received the Sacrament and are unsure where to begin.\u00a0 You can two videos about this Sacrament on my website at http:\/\/renewaloffaith.org\/ls\/reconciliation.htm<\/a>.\u00a0 If you need some help in reflecting about sins you can also find an \u201cExamination of Conscience\u201d on my website.<\/p>\n As you prepare for Christmas, don\u2019t forget to spend some time preparing your soul.<\/p>\n Peace,<\/p>\n Fr. Jeff<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Here is an article I wrote for the cover of this week’s bulletin. Is It New Year\u2019s Already? Today we celebrate the beginning of a new year.\u00a0 If you look at most calendars, you might think I have really lost it.\u00a0 The calendars that hang on our walls are normally based on the secular calendar …<\/p>\n