To My Spiritual Family of Holy Redeemer and St. Anthony, EPIPHANY CONCERT TODAY: Christine Porter, our own uber talented and super generous parishioner, will be in concert at Holy Redeemer today (Sunday, January 8) at 4:30 pm. You’ve heard her sing, and know how beautifully she does so, but Christine is also an instrumentalist. Most importantly, she loves Jesus Christ and will be offering Christmas/Epiphany praises to the infant King. A few of her musical friends may even join her! The concert is free of charge. All are invited! SANCTUARY ENTRANCE BELLS: If you are a daily Mass goer, you’ve heard our new sanctuary entrance bells ring out and herald the beginning of our liturgies. Purchase of the bells was suggested by Pastoral Council member, Ken Pillar, and the cost was defrayed by a parish family. Many churches use such bells to signal the start of Mass in a way that is beautiful and clear. We are glad that ours are now in use! A NEW ORDER OF PENANCE: Beginning Ash Wednesday of this year (February 22nd), the Church is making a slight but significant change in the words of absolution for the Sacrament of Penance. Rather than - “. . . and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins . . .” – the priest will now say – “. . . and poured out the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of sins . . .” This wording clearly reminds us of the overflowing mercy that God makes available when we enter the confessional. I was really buoyed during Advent because so many folks came to the Sacrament. At one point, I heard confessions, non-stop, for 75 straight minutes! Please make going to confession a regular part of your spiritual regimen. Once-a-month is my recommendation! And parents: for the love of your children and the good of their souls, get those kids to confession! The darkness of the world will overpower them if they are not constantly having recourse to the Sacraments and the grace of God! LENTEN PARISH MISSION: Those of you have been around the parish for many years realize that it’s been quite a while since Holy Redeemer has offered a parish mission. I was blessed to preach a mission at St. Mark the Evangelist parish in Erie two years ago, and this Lent, I’m preaching a mission for the good people of Epiphany of the Lord parish in Meadville. I know and have seen firsthand how the Holy Spirit uses these occasions to touch lives and to set hearts afire. It’s super exciting, then, to be hosting a parish mission here in Warren with Fr. Benjamin Daghir as our preacher and leader! Fr. Ben is a fantastic homilist and he is totally on fire for Jesus Christ! Our Lenten Mission will take place March 13-15, with sessions beginning at 7:00 pm each evening. Especially in this time of Eucharistic Revival, this mission is a big deal for our Catholic family. Please begin soaking this mission in prayer, and please make plans to attend! LIVING IN THE FATHER’S LOVE: As if there is not enough to be excited for, I want to enthusiastically recommend to the ladies in our community the upcoming bible study: “Living in the Father’s Love.” Led by Holy Redeemer parishioner Jan Kostrzewski and a team of outstanding leaders, this is a bible study for women only - a great opportunity for sisters to be together in the Lord. The study will begin on Wednesday, February 8 @ 6:00 pm. Ladies, you don’t want to miss this. It’s going to be an awesome, God-powered event! Mary, Mother of the Holy Redeemer – Pray for us! Our Lady of Guadalupe – Pray for us! St. Anthony – Pray for us! St. Joseph – Pray for us! Fr. Steve