Upcoming Catholic Events

Sacred Music for your prayer! Receiving top billing on the Billboard's Classical Traditional Chart, ”Lent at Ephesus" by the Benedictine Sisters of Mary, is a terrific experienc. These Benedictine nuns are cloistered; their monastery is western Missouri. This CD is sung prayer.

More here: http://benedictinesofmary.org

You can get the CD or a download from iTunes.

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The Traditional Latin Mass is offered several places in CT. For Laetare Sunday, the Solemn High Mass is being offered at 2pm, St Stanislaus Church, State and Eld Streets, New Haven.

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21ST ANNUAL WHITE MASS to be held Mar. 30 at 9am at St. Peter Church, 121 Main St., Danbury to honor persons in the healthcare field with Fr. Ruffin Compassionate Care Award. Breakfast follows immediately after Mass at Crown Plaza Hotel, 18 Old Ridgebury Rd., Danbury. For more info call Jean at (203) 416-1358 or email jtalamelli@diobpt.org

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"Ignatian Spirituality and the Discernment of Spirits”

Presenter: Father Paul Fitzgerald, S.J., Academic VP at Fairfield University

St. Pius Parish, 834 Brookside Dr., Fairfield on Apr. 1 at 7:30pm 

(203) 255-6134 or www.st-pius.org.

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FREE BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR SUPPORT GROUP sponsored by St. Vincent’s SWIM Across the Sound, meets on Apr. 1 from 5:30-7pm on Level 4 of the Elizabeth Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care, 2800 Main St., Bridgeport. Information and resources for women dealing with breast cancer at any stage of survivorship, and opportunity to share questions and concerns about the disease. No reservations required, free parking. For more info call (203) 576-6158 or www.stvincents.org/events.

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"Between Divine Glory and Human Suffering: Music and Drama in Bach's St John's Passion"

Presenter: Markus Rathey

Saturday, April 5, 7pm, Yale Unvi., Sheffield-Sterling-Strathcona Hall, Grove & Prospect Streets, New Haven

### a pre-concert talk followed by Schola performance

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The Pope on confession:

“Firstly, the agent of the ministry of Reconciliation is the Holy Spirit”, he said. “The forgiveness that the Sacrament confers is the new life transmitted by the Risen Lord by means of His Spirit. … Therefore, you are required always to be “men of the Holy Spirit”, witnesses and proclaimers, joyful and strong, of the resurrection of the Lord”. The Bishop of Rome encouraged them to welcome penitents “not with the attitude of a judge or even that of a mere friend, but with God's charity. … A priest's heart is a heart that is able to be touched. … If it is true that tradition suggests the dual role of doctor and judge for confessors, we must never forget that the doctor cures and the judge absolves”.

Second: “If Reconciliation transmits the new life of the Risen Lord and renews baptismal grace, then your task is to give this generously to your brethren. A priest who does not take care of this part of his ministry … is like a shepherd who does not take care of his lost sheep. … But mercy is at the heart of the Gospel! It is the good news that God loves us, that He always loves man the sinner, and with this love he draws man towards Him and invites him to convert. We must not forget that the faithful often struggle to receive this Sacrament, both for practical reasons and for the natural difficulty of confessing one's own sins to another man. Therefore, it is necessary to work hard upon ourselves, on our humanity, so as never to be an obstacle to but rather to facilitate an approach to mercy and forgiveness. … Confession is not a sentencing court, but rather an experience of forgiveness and mercy!”.

Finally,“There are many reasons, both historical and spiritual. However, we know that the Lord wished to offer this immense gift to the Church, offering the baptised the security of the Father's forgiveness. For this reason, it is very important that particular care is taken in the celebration of this Sacrament of forgiveness and salvation in all dioceses and parish communities. It is essential that in every parish the faithful know when they can find available priests: when there is trust, the fruits can be seen”.

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Pope Francis' Prayer Intentions for April:

The General Intention: That governments may foster the protection of creation and the just distribution of natural resources.

The Missionary Intention: That the Risen Lord may fill with hope the hearts of those are being tested by pain and sickness.

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The Norcia Gala (a fundraising dinner) for the Benedictine Monastery in Norcia, Italy

Keynote speaker: Raymond Cardinal Burke

Date: Friday, 9 May 2014

Waveny House, New Canaan, CT

Contact: Bryan Gonzalez: 812-686-6102; development@osbnorcia.org

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Contributor: Paul A. Zalonski

Catholic Connecticut

255 Foxon Hill Road

East Haven, CT 06513-1216 USA

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***Paul is the Catholic Events Contributor for Connecticut Catholic Corner***