THE SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION:

On Monday we are celebrating this great Feast and it is in fact the patronal feast of the Redemptorists. In 1732 when he founded the Congregation Saint Alphonsus firmly believed in this mystery and wanted us to focus on it as the ultimate illustration of what Christ’s redeeming presence could achieve.

It is worth noting that the mystery was not formally defined until 1854 and, of course, it was four years later in Lourdes that Mary defined herself to Saint Bernadette under this title. I suggest that in this Jubilee Year of HOPE we deepen our faith in Christ’s redeeming presence in our lives. He is among us to heal the hurt and forgive us our sins and so I think it is fitting that we should have our RECONCILATION SERVICES on this day.

As usual they will be at 11.00AM AND 7.00PM, following the simple but well-tried format of some quiet reflection on the word of God, followed by the opportunity to ask forgiveness for our sins, allowing you to use whatever formula you find most helpful. For those who wish to spend more time with a priest, we will have Fr Henesy in the confessional and Fr Andrew and I will also be available after those who simply wish to receive absolution have come forward.