Lord, You invite all who are burdened to come to you. Allow Your healing Hand to heal me. Touch my soul with Your compassion for others; touch my heart with Your courage and infinite Love for all; touch my mind with Your Wisdom, and may my mouth always proclaim Your praise. Teach me to reach out to You in all my needs, and help me to lead others to You by my example. 

Most loving Heart of Jesus, bring me health in body and spirit that I may serve You with all my strength. Touch gently this life which you have created, now and forever. 

Amen. 

Dear St. Mark Family, 

As we journey through this holy season of Lent, the Church invites us to a deeper conversion of heart through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. One of the most profound ways we respond to this call is by receiving the Sacrament of Penance, where we encounter the boundless mercy of God and experience His healing grace. 

As we gather for our Parish Penance Day on Tuesday April 8, from 6-9PM, I invite each of you to embrace this sacred opportunity to experience God’s infinite mercy and love through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This sacrament is a gift given to us by Christ Himself, a moment of grace that restores our hearts and renews our souls. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells us the parable of the prodigal son, reminding us that no matter how far we stray, our Heavenly Father is always waiting with open arms to welcome us back. 

Through Reconciliation, we humbly acknowledge our sins before God, receive His mercy, and commit to a path of conversion and renewal. It is not about shame or fear but about healing and restoration. Just as the father in the parable of the Prodigal Son ran to embrace his lost child, so too does our Lord eagerly await our return, ready to grant us His peace and grace. 

I encourage you to embrace this sacrament regularly. Whether you have been away for some time or frequently receive this grace, know that God’s mercy is always available. If you feel hesitant or uncertain, remember the words of Jesus: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). 

Let us take this opportunity to renew our hearts, strengthen our faith, and walk in the light of Christ’s love. May we never grow tired of seeking His mercy, for His love is unending. 

Yours in Christ, 

Father Santhosh George, O.SS.T. 

Pastor, St. Mark Church