Repent! The Kingdom of God is at hand!
Why do we need to repent of sin? The sinner wounds God’s honor and love, his own human dignity as a man called to be a son of God, and the spiritual well-being of the Church, of which each Christian ought to be a living stone. (CCC1487) To return to communion with God after having lost it through sin is a process born of the grace of God who is rich in mercy and solicitous for the salvation of men. One must ask for this precious gift for oneself and for others. (CCC1489)
Why do we need to confess our sins after baptism? Conversion to Christ, the new birth of Baptism, the gift of the Holy Spirit and the Body and Blood of Christ received as food have made us “holy and without blemish,” just as the Church herself, the Bride of Christ, is “holy and without blemish.” Nevertheless the new life received in Christian initiation has not abolished the frailty and weakness of human nature, nor the inclination to sin that tradition calls concupiscence, which remains in the baptized such that with the help of the grace of Christ they may prove themselves in the struggle of Christian life. This is the struggle of conversion directed toward holiness and eternal life to which the Lord never ceases to call us. (CCC1426) The forgiveness of sins committed after Baptism is conferred by a particular sacrament called the sacrament of conversion, confession, penance, or reconciliation. (CCC1486)
What is required of the penitent in the Sacrament of Penance? The movement of return to God, called conversion and repentance, entails sorrow for and abhorrence of sins committed, and the firm purpose of sinning no more in the future. Conversion touches the past and the future and is nourished by hope in God’s mercy. (CCC1490)
What are the benefits of the Sacrament of Penance? The spiritual effects of the sacrament of Penance are (CCC1496): (1) reconciliation with God by which the penitent recovers grace; (2) reconciliation with the Church; (3) remission of the eternal punishment incurred by mortal sins; (4) remission, at least in part, of temporal punishments resulting from sin; (5) peace and serenity of conscience, and spiritual consolation; (6) increased spiritual strength for the Christian battle.
December 9 is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. The Mass on December 9 will be celebrated at 12:00 pm in English.
From November 18 to December 3, 2019, the igivecatholic fundraising campaign for our church generated a total of $1,150.00. Thanks be to God and a special thank you to all our donors.
The gift shop is having its annual pre-Christmas sale. Drop by the gift shop and save from 5% to 25%. All items are discounted. Christmas cards are now available! |
Make a donation to our church through PayPal in our website. Monthly recurring donations are now accepted! |
Shop at Amazon Smile and Amazon donates to The Holy Name Of Jesus Chinese Catholic Church. |