Parish Missions

2012 Lenten Mission
with
Fr. Martin Farrell, O.P., D. Min.

Facing East: A 40 Day Journey Back Home

Sunday March 11th: Fr. Farrell preached at all the Sunday Masses (3rd Sunday of Lent). In his homily he explained that Lent is not just about fasting, increased prayer and almsgiving, but principally about Metanoia (repentance or conversion): changing your mind - about just about everything...  Download mp3 (21 minutes)

March 12th: Fr. Farrell continued to preach on what we must constantly evaluate and change (who I am, who God is, what God wants from me, relationship with others, Church, etc). Life involves constant change: if we don't progress we regress. Lent also invites us to a reflection on the forgiveness received from God, and which we must extend to others. We can't earn God's forgiveness; our forgiving of others is not a feeling, but a decision...  Download mp3 (31 minutes)

March 13th: Fr. Farrell discussed Original Sin and its effects (weakening of the will, darkening of the intellect, emotions thrown into chaos). He then delved into our neurotic tendencies to "lie unconsciously" about the reality of sin in our lives: i.e. denial, projection, conversion, rationalization - sin has a way of hiding truth from us, especially truth about ourselves. 12 step approach in dealing with addiction developed by Sister Ignatia can apply equally well in the approach we can take with our sins...  Download mp3 (45 minutes)

March 14th: Fr. Farrell offered criteria which could be useful in evaluating our sins: 10 Commandments, 6 Church Commandments, Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy, and the Beatitudes. The Spiritual Works of Mercy and Beatitudes help us engage with people the way God does. Most sinful behavior has to be squeezed out by practicing the opposite virtue. Penance involves turning back (from our sins) and returning to our Father (story of Prodigal Son is premier example). Our life is a series of such turning-backs. To help us get into the spirit of Penance Fr. Farrell recommends we recite the Prayer of St. Ephrem, and not just in Lent...  Download mp3 (35 minutes)

Father Martin Hilbert, a priest of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in Toronto, preached three days of Lenten exercises at Saint Patrick's Basilica in March, 2010.

On March 7th, Fr. Hilbert preached at all the Sunday Masses (3rd Sunday of Lent). His homily dealt with the problem of evil in the world, the meaning of God's Holiness, and God's final answer to suffering.   Download mp3.

On March 8th Fr. Hilbert delivered a profound teaching entitled "The Fear of the Lord Is the Beginning of Wisdom". Although praised in Scripture (both New and Old Testaments), the concept of Fear of the Lord is scorned in our day; it fact it is replaced by other types of fear.   Download mp3.

On March 9th Fr. Hilbert gave another poignant teaching entitled "Perfect Love Casts Our Fear". In this sermon, Fr Hilbert reflects upon the steps to spiritual growth. He refers to several books on the subject including Spiritual Combat by Lorenzo Scupoli and Spiritual Combat Revisited by Jonathan Robinson.   Download mp3.

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