I can tell that Advent is upon us because I have 4 reconciliation services on my schedule. I attended my first one last night at St. Rose in Gaithersburg, MD. I got there early and I joined the other priests for dinner (I still find it so cool to say that!) They were very good men and they were quite welcoming of the “baby priest” in their midst. Msgr Paul was gracious and quite hospitable. He seemed very glad that I was back.

It was a wonderful and intense experience. I have been to their prayer services before and they are well attended. The music was reflective and we had a really good homily from Msgr. Paul. After a time for reflection and examination of conscience, we had time for individual confessions and absolution. I heard confessions for almost 2 hours. It was beautiful and the confessions were very good especially from the young people. I was impressed by how good these people are how they really want to be good disciples of Jesus. It was such a humbling experience to hear people share with me their joys, griefs and sinfulness and even more humbling to be able to speak a word of God’s mercy and peace. I was the last one hearing them, all I wanted to do was thank the good Lord for that gift.

peace and good,
friar Matt