Dear Parishioners of St. James:
Praised be Our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ!
The very evening of the Resurrection Jesus Christ instituted the Sacrament of Penance. When He entered the room where the Apostles were “he breathed on them” His power to forgive sins (Jn 20:22). God’s mercy is His Easter gift to the Church. Because of Christ’s victory over sin, our sins can be forgiven when we confess them to a priest.
Our hope is in God’s mercy. Jesus wants to pour out His infinite mercy in exchange for our sins. Why do we not give Jesus our sins? Jesus died in order to forgive our sins. The way He established to forgive our sins, to receive the power of His mercy won on the Cross, is to confess them at His feet. Where can we do such a thing? In the confessional we can be reconciled to God through His earthly representative, the priest.
Come to the Sacrament of God’s mercy to receive His Easter gift to you. Jesus will give you His peace as He forgives your sins. In the Divine Mercy message Our Lord promises to lavish His unfathomable mercy on souls who will confess their sins, receive Holy Communion and venerate His mercy this Sunday. If you cannot come to church in person then make an act of trust in Jesus wherever you are. Please take advantage of Our Lord’s offer to give your soul forgiveness and cleansing.
God bless you,
Fr. Geary
Saint James Catholic Church 