In times past, just about every faithful Catholic, and some Catholics who were only occasionally faithful, went to confession before Christmas and Easter. It is better to go to confession more than twice each year, but still, getting ready for the great feasts of our salvation by going to confession is a good idea and good preparation.
Saint John’s is famous for confessions. In times past, there were many priests hearing confessions for many hours before the two major church feasts. Today fewer people come for confessions, but still there are a lot of confessions at Saint John’s.
I am sure that some of you reading these words have not been to confession in years and perhaps are intimidated to partake of an unfamiliar ritual. Let me assure you that you will be received with respect and affection if you come to confession at Saint John’s. And if you don’t remember how to go to confession, have no worries. The priest will help you.
In addition to our usual schedule of confessions Wednesday through Saturday, 3:30 to 4:45 PM, we will offer two Penance services with individual confession of sins and absolution. These services allow for many people to go to confession with several priests available and there will be an easy format in the context of prayer.
Our Penance services will be on December 20 and 21, Tuesday and Wednesday, after the 12:05 Masses, beginning approximately at 12:30 PM.
As part of your spiritual preparation for Christmas, examine your conscience and come to confession.

End of the year donation: Please consider making an extra generous end of the year donation to Saint John Church. Saint John’s Church is financially sound due to our generous benefactors and the donations that young couples provide for their weddings. But we also have many challenges to assure that we remain a vibrant Catholic presence in Center City. I assure you that we are careful with the donations and money we receive, that we operate without waste. I pray every day for our generous benefactors.

Young Adult Outreach. Our Jack’s Yacs group is planning several events focused on Advent and Christmas:

• Wednesday, December 14, 6:30 PM: Prayer and Reflection: Topic and details to follow Sunday, January 8: Join us for the Feast of the Epiphany Mas at 6 PM, followed by dinner and drinks in the parish center.
• Sunday, January 8: Join us for the Feast of the Epiphany Mass at 6 PM, followed by dinner and drinks in the parish center.

Christmas Gifts for ProMedica patients: For many years on Christmas Eve, Holy Redeemer children have gone to the nursing home/rehab facility at 16th and Lombard Streets. The name of the facility has changed over the years and it is now called ProMedica. The children will sing Christmas carols and give each resident a wrapped Christmas gift. Simple gifts are appreciated: word puzzle books, adult coloring books, decks of cards, stuffed animals, 2023 calendars with pictures, socks, warm scarfs or lap blankets. Please consider buying a few gifts, wrapping them and mark them M, F or E (male, female or either). Please do not give food or candy. Gifts will be collected in boxes in the upper and lower churches.

Christmas Concert, December 11, 2 PM: The annual Saint John’s Christmas concert will be in the upper church and will feature our own Saint John’s Choir and students of the University of the Arts. A free will offering will be collected. Please join us for refreshments following the concert.

Saint John’s Staff and Volunteers Christmas Party: On Thursday, December 15, we will have our staff and volunteers Christmas party from 12 noon — 2 pm in the parish center. All volunteers are invited: Eucharistic ministers, servers and lectors, cleaners, money counters, receptionists, music ministers and choir, office helpers, hospitality and events planners. If I have forgotten a category of volunteers, let me know and come to the party.

Advent Penance Services: In addition to our usual Wednesday to Saturday schedule of confessions, Saint John Church will offer two communal penance services with individual confession of sins and absolution. Mark your calendars for December 19 and 20, 12:30 PM. Plan to make a good confession before Christmas.

Christmas flower donations: There are envelopes in the upper and lower churches for Christmas flower donations. Every Christmas Saint John’s is beautifully decorated with flowers and trees. The cost of flowers has increased over last year. Please help us to have a beautiful church this Christmas!

Christmas Novena Masses: As usual, we will offer nine Masses for our novena intentions beginning on Christmas. If you would like to include your intentions in these Masses, there are novena offering envelopes in the upper and lower churches. Novena Mass cards are available in the parish office.

Second Collection for Saint John Debt Reduction: Saint John’s owes the Archdiocese about $800,000 for work done some years ago to the church towers and for other bills what we were not able to pay. Over the past few years, we have been making significant payments on our debt. Our parish council has agreed that we should have a monthly second collection to pay down our debt. We will have significant needs in the future and paying off our debt is essential for us to move forward with other necessary projects. Please be generous next weekend, December 17-18.

Saint John Church serves people who live, work and visit Center City Philadelphia. Saint John’s receives no subsidy from the Archdiocese and is entirely dependent on donations from our parishioners and visitors. We ask our visitors to be generous to our collection so that Saint John’s can be a vibrant Catholic presence in Center City.