Dear St. Philip parishioners, recently, the Boston diocese had a lenten campaign using a popular motel advertisement phrase to invite parishioners to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. At St. Philip, we also have convenient lenten opportunities for you to make your confession during this grace-filled time. THE LIGHT IS ON FOR YOU!

I’m Tim Logsdon, and my wife Eileen and I moved to Houston three years ago. We enjoy living near our daughter’s family and five grandkids, and we are an easy drive to visit our son’s family in Dothan, AL. We are lay readers at Mass and enjoy the prayers and fellowship of Bible study and Prime-Timers at St. Philip. I’m honored to assist in liturgy ministries and to be in-training as a sacristan. I’m also a 4th degree brother in our Knights of Columbus in our local Council #9794.  

About once each year in spring, I dutifully use my pressure washer to eliminate the unsightly mud dauber nests from my house under patio and porch roofs. The personal satisfaction of the completed cleanup lasts about one month before the first mud dauber nest reappears. It’s easy to say Eh, it’s only one blemish. I don’t like it, but I can live with it. However, by mid-summer, mud dauber nests are taking over our patio and porch again. At this point I’ve given up on a clean house, and the pressure washer is so inconvenient to use anyway. No, the complete cleansing will have to wait until the next annual spring cleaning.

Our Lenten journey with each other, and personally with Our Lord, includes many scheduled opportunities to prepare for the Easter miracle. Ash Wednesday reminded us of the call to “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3:2) Annual confession is a precept of the Church, and lent is an ideal time as we are reminded: “If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.” (1 John 1:9) We are taught early on in our faith catechesis that lent is a time for penance, reflection, prayer, and fasting to prepare for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday and beyond. For this message, today, I want to touch on penance and to share some personal perspective on my love and deep appreciation for the amazing Sacrament of Reconciliation.

My first confession was over six decades ago in preparation for my first communion on May 23, 1956. Over the years, with different life-phases, changing priorities and obligations, and lots of other excuses, my faith ebbed and flowed. My schedule for receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation was, well . . . less than ideal. Infrequent confession was my mode for many years. I am proud of “every month” routines along the way in my live and likewise disappointed with my former “five-year or so” confession habits.

On the bright side, during lent 2009, in Phoenix, AZ a visiting priest from the nearby Miles Jesu-St. Josaphat Center challenged the congregation to visit their center for confession. The light is on five days each week, two time periods daily! he said. Next, I was in our choir, and the choir director also gave us the same challenge. The third nudge came the following Sunday; the sermon was about penance and reparation. I recall the inner voice: Tim, this message is for YOU! Go to confession. Do It. Soon! Since that time, monthly confession has been a very important pillar of my faith journey. It began with a word. Then I did something about it.

Our parish website (stphiliphuffmantx.org) and our new smartphone app (myParish) are good starting points for you. As well, there are many guides to making a good examination of conscience and a good confession. There are many supporting materials online to help you prepare for making a meaningful confession.

God’s Divine Mercy is so welcome and abundant. Lent is the perfect time for you to become the best version of yourself. Your participation in the eucharistic celebration will be enriched. You are blessed knowing that you are in the state of sanctifying grace before God. Let’s go to confession. Do it. Soon. We’ll leave the light on! Sincerely in Christ, Tim Logsdon

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