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Pope + Lourdes + grotto = plenary indulgence

February 10, 2008 5 comments

Our Lady of Lourdes grotto @ St Bernadette Catholic Church, Hollywood, FloridaSince my home parish of St Bernadette Catholic Church has a grotto dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes, visiting and praying at the grotto between Feb 2-11, 2008 qualifies for a special Papal plenary indulgence to encourage renewed holiness, celebrating the 150th anniversary of the appearance of Mary to St Bernadette Soubirous near Lourdes, France. 

Our Lady of Lourdes grotto @ St Bernadette Catholic Church, Hollywood, FloridaAn indulgence is a remission of the temporal punishment (in this world and in purgatory) due for sins committed. A plenary indulgence is the remission of all punishment.  This is a tremendous gift from the Pope.  To receive the indulgence, one should say the Our Father, Apostle’s Creed and the Hail Mary at the grotto along with a prayer for our Pope’s intentions and go to confession before Easter Sunday.Our Lady of Lourdes grotto @ St Bernadette Catholic Church, Hollywood, Florida

For more info & details, see article at Catholic News Service (CNS).
 
Thank you Jesus for your mercy and the Holy Catholic Church you have left us … with the treasury of your merits.  May Our Lady continue to lead us to her Son, Jesus!  Amen.

Confirmation Retreat revisited

February 10, 2008 Leave a comment

Confirmation Retreat skitConfirmation Retreat skitBack at my home parish, the 8th grade Confirmation kids (some were my CCD kids from last year) had an evening of reflection as a follow-up to their 2-day Confirmation Retreat last month [my previous blog post about it].  The schedule was pretty simple.  After 6pm Mass (which I served at), pizza on the deck, a great skit (see pictures) about Jesus bridging the gap in the face of temptations, a personal witness talk by a teen, small group debrief (“What’s happened since the Retreat?”), and some large group reflections (that I couldn’t stay for) to close.  The kids definitely wanted to be there.  A great sign of their Confirmation journey.