Dear Parishioners, Someone asked me the other day about Confession. The question was: I pray privately and ask forgiveness for my actions and thoughts and I am genuinely sincere. Is that not enough? The people who ask this question very often don’t come at it from a theological point of view. They are not questioning the efficacy of the sacraments or God’s mercy, rather they ask it looking for an excuse or a rationalization. They do not want to put in the work of confession. They want cheap grace. They want the feeling of forgiveness, rather than the real thing. Click the title to read more.
Dear Parishioners, Mark your calendars! In just a few weeks we celebrate our parish feast weekend for St. Therese (October 1-2). This year we will hold a special parish mission to honor our patroness. Fr. Michael Rubeling from the Archdiocese of Baltimore will come and preach all the weekend Masses. On Monday and Tuesday October 3rd and 4th he will offer Eucharistic Adoration reflections on a particular part of St. Teresa’s life. Also, immediately following the 10:30am Mass that Sunday, October 2nd we will have a Eucharistic Procession through the streets of our neighborhood. Click the title to read more.
Dear Parishioners, I always chuckle when someone asks my age and how long I have been ordained a priest. Usually, the remark following my answer involves something along the lines of: “you have a long way to retirement!” Fortunately, I hope to have many years working hard in Christ’s vineyard building up the Kingdom of God. As we know, however, there are many priests in our diocese who are retired. When a priest retires, he remains a priest. Once a priest, always a priest. While much of the administrative work ends in retirement, the life of a priest continues. Retired priests in our diocese continue to say Mass, hear Confessions, offer counseling, give the Sacrament of Anointing to the dying, and so many other acts that bring Christ to the people. Here at St. Teresa parish Fr. Bernie O’Reilly continues to provide much appreciated support and sacramental coverage. Click the title to read more.
Dear Parishioners, Last week you may have noticed a few things missing on the property: trees, a fence, and the green shipping container. After the break-in of the convent a few weeks ago we needed a way to increase building visibility. The fence near the convent was in terrible disrepair and we removed it easily. We emptied the green shipping container and sold it to Wood and Wire Fence Company. Finally, Stanley Tree Service removed three trees from the property: two near the convent and one near the rectory garage. While I do not like cutting down trees it needed to be done. Two trees were dying, and another was at risk of falling into a neighbor’s yard. With those tasks finished we now have a much better view of the convent building. In the weeks ahead we will be doing more to beautify that area of the property. Click the title to read more.