People have a hard time letting go of things whether it’s issues with themselves or issues with friends of families. A recent Lenten Mission hoped to show people how to deal with those issues.
From March 30 to April 1 St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, Beaumont, played host to Msgr. Jim Lisante who led its Advent Mission. Msgr. Lisante is the pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in West Hempstead, N.Y., and a published author and frequent guest on CNN and Fox News.
The title of the Lenten Mission was “Hope is our Heritage.” Msgr. Lisante focused on how people can better get in touch with their faith by opening up their hearts.
“Everyone has something that they’ve done that they have never confessed to anyone. What I want you to do during these next few days is think of that and just open your heart a little. Maybe tell someone, maybe not, but open up to the possibility,” Msgr. Lisante said.
Msgr. Lisante also spoke about forgiving others and how that can set people free in a way.
“Here’s another challenge for you. I want you to think of someone that has wronged you. Someone in your life that you haven’t forgiven. I want you to work up the courage to write a letter, send an email or maybe just pick up the phone and speak to that person,” Msgr. Lisante said.
Msgr. Lisante closed by offering the parishioners a chance to cleanse themselves.
“At the end of these sessions I want you to take whatever sin you haven’t confessed and write it down on a piece of paper. I’m going to read them and then I’m going to burn them to symbolize that they can’t weigh you down,” Msgr. Lisante said.
“Always remember that we have, this day, the capacity to change.”
