Someone once asked how a priest decides the penance he gives in confession.

Most priests do not necessarily use a formula or a precise method. Sometimes it’s just the standard “three Hail Marys.” Other times the penance may be a little more involved. A lot depends on the needs of the penitent.

COLORADO SPRINGS. The Diocese of Colorado Springs’ Office of Hispanic Ministry is sponsoring a Eucharistic Congress on Feb. 25 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral. 
Speakers will include Father Roylan Recio, Father James Gordon F.S.S.P., and Bishop James Golka. All of the presentations will be in Spanish. 

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the bread we offer you: fruit of the earth and work of human hands, it will become for us the bread of life.

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the wine we offer you: fruit of the vine and work of human hands. it will become our spiritual drink.

— From the Roman Missal: Preparation of the Gifts.

As Catholics, when we fast, we fast. When we feast, we feast!

The Eucharist commits us to the poor. To receive in truth the Body and Blood of Christ given up for us, we must recognize Christ in the poorest, his brethren:

‘You have tasted the Blood of the Lord, yet you do not recognize your brother, . . . You dishonor this table when you do not judge worthy of sharing your food someone judged worthy to take part in this meal . . . God freed you from all your sins and invited you here, but you have not become more merciful.’ — Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1397 (quote from St. John Chrysostom).

COLORADO SPRINGS. On Jan. 7, priests and deacons from the Diocese of Colorado Springs gathered for a day of inspiration, reflection, discussion, and prayer. Co-led by Bishop Andrew Cozzens, chairman of the  Evangelization and Catechesis Committee for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and Bishop James Golka, the morning activities at St. Gabriel Parish featured an extensive reflection on the Eucharist by Bishop Cozzens, including a detailed plan for the three-year Eucharistic Revival that he has been tasked with organizing.

In his article “Making Sunday the Lord’s Day Again” (Herald Oct. 7, 2022 issue) Father Jim Baron proposes the idea of taking back Sunday — redeeming Sunday from busy schedules and refocusing the purpose of this day. He suggested making Sunday holy again.

By this time of Advent, many Catholic homes have set up their nativity scenes with Mary, Joseph, the three Wise Men, some sheep with their shepherds, and maybe a donkey with an ox. Most do not put out the Christ child until Christmas Eve.

Last month, we looked at how reclaiming Sunday for God and his purposes protects our human freedom. Why? Because it sets a limit to the other things that demand our time, our attention, our resources, our loyalty. Things that are not God. Things that do not love us like he does. Keeping Sunday as a day of worship and a day of rest is for our own personal good as well as the good of society.