Holy Trinity ChurchBe open to God’s Mercy
The Roman Catholic Church started the Lent Season on Ash Wednesday, February 18th. During this time, the Church reminds us of the importance to turn our faces to the Lord through fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. We are starting the second week of Lent. I wonder, what have I done during this sacred season? Have I gone to have an encounter with the Lord through the wonderful sacrament of Penance? Let us remember that Penance, Reconciliation, or Confession is a sacrament where we experience God’s mercy in our lives. However, sometimes we feel that confession is not enough to receive forgiveness by God.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) website states regarding confession:
Not only does it [the Sacrament of Penance] free us from our sins but it also challenges us to have the same kind of compassion and forgiveness for those who sin against us. We are liberated to be forgivers. We obtain new insight into the words of the Prayer of St. Francis: “It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.”
Jesus entrusted the ministry of reconciliation to the Church. The Sacrament of Penance is God’s gift to us so that any sin committed after Baptism can be forgiven. In confession, we have the opportunity to repent and recover the grace of friendship with God. It is a holy moment in which we place ourselves in His presence and honestly acknowledge our sins, especially mortal sins. With absolution, we are reconciled to God and the Church. The Sacrament helps us stay close to the truth that we cannot live without God. “In him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).
Holy Trinity Church has a schedule for this Sacrament:
| Saturdays | 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm |
| Tuesdays | 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm |
In addition, during this Lent season, Holy Trinity Church also will have a Penance service on March 24th:
| Tuesday, March 24 | 9:00 am – 11:00 am |
| 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm | |
| 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm |
Moreover, we will have extra hours for confession during Holy Week:
| Holy Thursday, April 2 | 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm |
| Good Friday, April 3 | 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm |
Also, you can make an appointment to receive this sacrament anytime. Just email me at fr.jorge.ramirez@dor.org or call me at (315) 604-8070. Do not be afraid to receive God’s mercy through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Don’t tell God how big your sin is. Tell your sin how big God is. God can forgive all our sins. Remember, God loves us very much. Therefore, let us receive His love. Let us go and participate in this great sacrament with love and faith, and believing that God is always ready to forgive us.
Remember, the parish that we dream is the parish that I help to build!
God bless you, and may the Blessed Virgin Mary be with you always!
Fr. Jorge Ramirez
