Sunday Sermon, December 9th -- The Three Acts of the Penitent When Going To Confession (Father Ryan Erlenbush, Sunday Sermon)

Advent Confession prepares us for Christmas Communion, even as John's baptism of repentance prepared the way for the coming of the Messiah.

First, regarding the duty of the priest when hearing confession, two points: 1) If a priest does not say the proper words of absolution (Specifically, "I absolve you"), he should be reported to the bishop.  2) If a priest in confession says that a sin against the 6th commandment isn't a sin, he must be reported (because he has committed a canonical crime, and he must be stopped from continuing in his ministry).

There are many priests who have said certain sexual sins are not sins (most especially, contraception or sterilization) - these priests aren't just "liberals," they are real criminals, they have broken canon law and must be stopped from continuing in ministry in this way.  Bad advice in confession is one thing, but when the bad advice is given about a grave sexual sin, the Church treats the matter far more seriously as it is a far graver offense.


Secondly, we consider the acts of the penitent in making confession: Contrition (sorrow for sin), Confession (naming our serious sins by kind and number), and Satisfaction (fulfilling our penance).

Saturday, December 8th -- Advent Retreat on the Infancy of Jesus (Father Ryan Erlenbush, Corpus Christi Parish)

Saturday Morning Retreat for the beginning of the Advent Season -- Devotion to the Infancy of Jesus.

Conference 1 -- The Historical Reality of Jesus' Infancy.
We consider at the history surrounding Jesus' conception, birth and childhood. Further, we recognize that this Child is true God, and that he knows and loves us even in his humanity from the moment of his conception. The baby Jesus is no ordinary baby, but truly has use of reason and free will - and he embraces all of us in the love of his Sacred infant Heart.


Conference 2 -- Devotions to the Infancy of Jesus
The knowledge of the infant Christ is the foundation of our devotion to him in his childhood - for he truly knew then that we would be praying to him now. We consider various saints who had special devotion to the infancy of Jesus, especially St Teresa of Avila and the Infant of Prague. Further, the "Way of Bethlehem" or "Stations of the Infant Jesus" by St Alphonsus Liguori.

Sunday Sermon, December 2nd -- The Great Apostasy and the Current Crisis (Father Ryan Erlenbush, Corpus Christi Parish)

"The powers of the heavens will be shaken" -- The Fathers of the Church and the great saints tell us that, in the last days during the final tribulation, those to whom we should have looked to give light and guidance to the world will rather sow confusion and doubt. In the last days, many of the pastors of the Church (bishops, even cardinals, and priests as well) will seem to be shaken, no longer giving clear teaching or sound moral example.

The Church is today in a time of great crisis. The crisis of sexual abuse of children by priests has caused much harm. Furthermore, since the Second Vatican Council, there was been so much confusion in the Church - priests and bishops promoting false teachings and even heresies, grave liturgical abuses, serious moral failings, etc.

And yet, Jesus tells us to stand tall and hold our heads high, for it is meant to be the day of our vindication. Bishop Warfel has called for a year of Prayer, Penance, and Reparation - the perfect response to the current crisis and the grave tribulation in which we find ourselves.


Listen online [here]!