Personal failure vs. Sin

Last weekend we “sent” 17 adults and children to St. Francis Xavier Cathedral to the Rite of Election with Bp. David Ricken presiding. Fourteen (14) of them will receive the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist) at the Easter Vigil, April 3rd. Three (3) of them will be confirmed and receive First Eucharist.

These 17 men, women and children have been studying and praying for months. Our parish process began in September, but several of these candidates have been preparing for a long time in order to become Catholic. Their photos are featured in the display case near the Sacristy. Please pray for them as they complete this next phase. The two groups are now referred to as “The Elect” (the 14) and “Candidates for Full Communion in the Catholic Church” (the 3 already baptized).

Looking forward to Easter, 2022, we encourage those who want to become Catholic to inquire about the process. If you know someone who needs information about becoming Catholic, please encourage them. So many people are without an anchor of faith, without the foundation of good catechesis. As a parish community we want to help. Please call the Parish Office for more information.

In addition to the above-mentioned persons, we have more than 20 teenagers preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. This past week, many of them helped prepare a meal for about 250 people at the N.E.W. Community Shelter. We are grateful for their act of charity and service. Each month a parish group is responsible for a meal. We are grateful to those who donate to that meal and to those who prepare it.

Regarding disciplines of Lent, remember that members of the Catholic Church fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday (eat only one full meal), and abstain from meat on all Fridays during Lent. To choose not to follow those rules/practices is a sin against the community, against the solidarity that we are trying to foster by our communal commitment.

Personal disciplines that we fail to keep are personal failures, but these failures are not sins. For instance, if a person chooses to fast for 40 days, eating only bread and drinking water, but is unable to maintain that strict discipline, it is not a sin. Or, if a person chooses to give up meat not only on the required Fridays, but also on Wednesdays, and fails to keep that personal choice, it is not a sin. Even those who, because of poor health or advanced age, cannot fast or abstain from meat according to Church rules, does not sin because of the importance of not harming their health. Ask your Pastor or other church personnel about what is a sin, and what is a personal failure and not a sin.

Peace, Fr. Andy