Retired Priest Fr Jim Corcoran has this week extended an open invitation to all Catholics in the Hills’ area to join the Lesmurdie parish community in spiritually preparing for Christmas.
Speaking to The eRecord, Fr Corcoran, together with Lesmurdie Parish Priest Fr Michael Separovich, said they believe many Catholics (reading this story) will not have been to Mass or the Sacraments for a long time.
“You may just have been having a rest for a while. Now may just be the time to have a look at things again,” Fr Corcoran said.
“You may have stayed away from the Church and the sacraments because you have become disillusioned with the Church.
“You may not have been lucky in marriage; you are saddened by divorce or separation; you feel the door of the Church is closed to you, you are hassled on weekends with children’s sporting commitments; you may have become a bit lazy.
“Whatever the reason we invite you home for Christmas,” Fr Corcoran said.
The Parish will begin a spiritual preparation for Christmas with the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Tuesday 20 December at 7.00pm at Our Lady of Lourdes Lesmurdie, corner of Lesmurdie and Glyde Roads.
“All that is required is a true and genuine sorrow for our sins and a promise to God to make good our faults and failings,” Fr Corcoran explained.
“Just present yourself to the priest, tell your story and receive the Sacrament of Healing and forgiveness, no questions asked,” he said.
Fr Corcoran went on talk about the power of the sacrament of reconciliation in healing ‘old wounds.’
“We can be bound down (psychologically, spiritually and emotionally) with carrying around old grudges, hates, guilt, resentments such being treated badly at work or that grandma left you out of her will.”
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick will be administered at all Masses on the weekend 17th/18th December.
People suffering physical ailments e.g. cancer, diabetes, heart problems or suffering with depression, anxiety, stress etc are welcome to receive this great sacrament of healing.