There can be a tendency to confuse joy with happiness as being one and the same. Many of you have responded to our request to wear something 'pink' today to blend with the mood of the Liturgy. We don't have to be a bubbly, happy-go - lucky person to be 'joyful' - that would be confusing the externals with the internals. Instead, joy brings us peace; it's a gift of the Holy Spirit.
On Monday I went to a talk by John Pridmore as part of a Mission he was giving in Wythenshawe. In his earlier life he was a gangster in East London. In his own words he lived a life where money wasn't an obstacle in living a self -
centred lifestyle. But on the inside, he felt empty and unhappy. What changed everything on his journey towards peace and joy was when he made the decision to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He has travelled to
many countries regularly giving missions, speaking in schools and at large conferences for young people. He speaks with an eloquence that only the Holy Spirit can give. You can find out more by visiting his website https://www.johnpridmore.com/ and reading some of his testimonies.
As part of our Advent journey, we should take the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation and discover this same peace and joy, especially if you haven't been for some time. On Tuesday 7.00pm there will be a wonderful opportunity. We begin with MASS and leading into a time for personal celebration of the Sacrament. We will have visiting priests to assist; we still stay for as long as is necessary. If you can't come on Tuesday, you can always request the Sacrament at any time. Why not treat yourself to a Divine gift that is both free and life giving!
Commentaires