Bishop Parkes Invites Catholics to the Holy Door of the Confessional This Lent

Posted inCommunications, News Releases

March 5th is Ash Wednesday, the first day of the season of Lent, a six-week period of penance and spiritual preparation for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection at Easter. Bishop Gregory Parkes shares a Lenten message and invitation to all Catholics. The bishop’s message can be shared as a video or text via the links below:

Bishop’s Lenten Message

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This Lent, I invite you to seek and receive God’s forgiveness. The ashes we receive on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday remind us that we are all sinners and yet we all have hope. Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Reconciliation so that nothing would keep us from God’s love. No sin is greater than God’s love and mercy.

During this Jubilee Year, the Holy Door is the door of the confessional. This is where you will encounter God’s love and mercy in a profound way.

Jesus is calling out to you as a beloved son and daughter, and He is waiting to meet you in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  This is where you find healing and restoration – and where you can focus on what is truly life-giving. May you have a blessed Lenten Season!

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Bishop Gregory Parkes
Diocese of Saint Petersburg

Spanish Translation

Queridos hermanos y hermanas en Cristo:

En esta Cuaresma, los invito a buscar y recibir el perdón de Dios. Las cenizas que recibimos en la frente el Miércoles de Ceniza nos recuerdan que todos somos pecadores y, sin embargo, todos tenemos esperanza. Jesús instituyó el Sacramento de la Reconciliación para que nada nos alejara del amor de Dios. Ningún pecado es más grande que el amor y la misericordia de Dios.

Durante este Año Jubilar, la Puerta Santa es la puerta del confesionario. Aquí es donde encontrarás el amor y la misericordia de Dios de una manera profunda.

Jesús te está llamando como hijo e hija amado, y está esperando encontrarte en el Sacramento de la Reconciliación.  Aquí es donde encuentras la sanación, la restauración y donde puedes centrarte en lo que realmente da vida. ¡Que tengas una bendecida Cuaresma!

Les saluda atentamente en Cristo,
Su Obispo Gregory Parkes
Diócesis de Saint Petersburg

Social Media Caption

@BishopParkes invites you to the Holy Door of the Confessional this Lent. “We are all sinners, and yet, we all have hope.”  #CallToConversion #CourageouslyLiving #Lent #AshWednesday

Vatican Resources

For resources relating to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, visit the Vatican’s website for “24 Hours for the Lord.”