"God never tires of forgiving us!" ~ Pope Francis, 3/17/13
The Holy Father says: “So many people, including young people, are returning to the Sacrament of Reconciliation; through this experience they are rediscovering a path back to the Lord, living a moment of intense prayer and finding meaning in their lives. Let us place the Sacrament of Reconciliation at the centre once more in such a way that it will enable people to touch the grandeur of God’s mercy with their own hands. For every penitent, it will be a source of true interior peace.” (Misericordiae Vultus, #17)
More from The Holy Father on the Sacrament of Reconciliation PDF
Lenten Resources
Prayers, retreats, meditations, articles, art, songs, crafts, recipes....scroll through the sections to find something for YOUR Lenten Journey.
Ideas? Suggestions? Email: office@stbrendanparish.org.
Ideas? Suggestions? Email: office@stbrendanparish.org.
Many of the Resources below include a link to FORMED.ORG.
For FREE Access:
1. Go to signup.formed.org
2. For parish, enter zip code 94127, and then select Saint Brendan.
3. Register with your name and email address.
4. Check that email account for a link to begin using FORMED.
Opportunities for Confession
Saturdays During Lent:
3:00 - 4:45 in the church
BY APPOINTMENT
Please call the rectory to make an appointment for confession. 415-681-4225.
How to Go to Confession
Need a reminder for how to receive the sacrament? Click HERE
Examination of Conscience
- An 8-minute guided Examination of Conscience with Father Mark-Mary from Ascension Press. Click HERE.
- Options from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, including for youth, children, single people and more. Click HERE.
Priest's Perspective on Confession
- One perspective on the experience of Priests. Click HERE.
- You can also watch Session 3 of Forgiven for more thoughts from priests on the Sacrament. On FORMED.ORG. Click HERE.
3:00 - 4:45 in the church
BY APPOINTMENT
Please call the rectory to make an appointment for confession. 415-681-4225.
How to Go to Confession
Need a reminder for how to receive the sacrament? Click HERE
Examination of Conscience
- An 8-minute guided Examination of Conscience with Father Mark-Mary from Ascension Press. Click HERE.
- Options from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, including for youth, children, single people and more. Click HERE.
Priest's Perspective on Confession
- One perspective on the experience of Priests. Click HERE.
- You can also watch Session 3 of Forgiven for more thoughts from priests on the Sacrament. On FORMED.ORG. Click HERE.
Stations of the Cross
Stations of the Cross for Personal Exploration
Fr. Mike's Stations of the Cross (2021). Click HERE
Traditional Stations of the Cross by of St. Alphonsus Liguori text PDF
Stations of the Cross - Narrated by Catholic Speaker Ken Yasinski. Click HERE.
Latin Chant Version on FORMED.ORG. Click HERE.
Stations of the Cross for Kids
Brother Francis video about the Stations of the Cross. A moving 40-minute presentation appropriate for most kids 1st grade and above. On FORMED.ORG. Click HERE.
Fr. Mike's Stations of the Cross (2021). Click HERE
Traditional Stations of the Cross by of St. Alphonsus Liguori text PDF
Stations of the Cross - Narrated by Catholic Speaker Ken Yasinski. Click HERE.
Latin Chant Version on FORMED.ORG. Click HERE.
Stations of the Cross for Kids
Brother Francis video about the Stations of the Cross. A moving 40-minute presentation appropriate for most kids 1st grade and above. On FORMED.ORG. Click HERE.
Daily & Weekly Activities
Weekly Activities
From Boston College: "Along the Way - an online Lenten Retreat"
Join the Church in the 21st Century Center at Boston College for Along the Way: An Online Lenten Retreat, March 8-11, 2022 from 1:00-2:15pm (EST) each day. Catholic writer, speaker, and author Laura Kelly Fanucci will be directing our first virtual retreat journey, as we meet the men and women who served Jesus in His darkest hours—including Mary Magdalene, Nicodemus, and Joseph of Arimathea. More information HERE.
From Loyola Press: "Arts and Faith"
Enter into a visual prayer experience this Lent with Arts & Faith: Lent. Each week we’ll provide a video commentary about a work of art inspired by the Sunday Scriptures. Use these videos to take a new look at this season of spiritual renewal through the lens of sacred art. LINK
From Ascension Press Presents
Follow along with Fr. Mark Toups for an under-10-minute weekly reflection. LINK
From the Catholic Healthcare Association
Under 5-minute meditations and reflections. Not just for our essential healthcare workers! LINK
From Boston College: "Along the Way - an online Lenten Retreat"
Join the Church in the 21st Century Center at Boston College for Along the Way: An Online Lenten Retreat, March 8-11, 2022 from 1:00-2:15pm (EST) each day. Catholic writer, speaker, and author Laura Kelly Fanucci will be directing our first virtual retreat journey, as we meet the men and women who served Jesus in His darkest hours—including Mary Magdalene, Nicodemus, and Joseph of Arimathea. More information HERE.
From Loyola Press: "Arts and Faith"
Enter into a visual prayer experience this Lent with Arts & Faith: Lent. Each week we’ll provide a video commentary about a work of art inspired by the Sunday Scriptures. Use these videos to take a new look at this season of spiritual renewal through the lens of sacred art. LINK
From Ascension Press Presents
Follow along with Fr. Mark Toups for an under-10-minute weekly reflection. LINK
From the Catholic Healthcare Association
Under 5-minute meditations and reflections. Not just for our essential healthcare workers! LINK
Daily Readings and Reflections
From Busted Halo: Lenten "MicroChallenge"
Check in each day for an easy-to-do, yet thought provoking "MicroChallenge" from the team at BustedHalo.com. Click HERE.
From the Augustinians: "Walking with Augustine through Lent"
Daily reflections using the writings of St. Augustine. LINK
From CERC (The Catholic Education Resource Foundation): "Forty for 40: A Literary Reader for Lent"
Originally published in 2015, Nick Ripatrazone offers 40 stories, poems, essays, and books for the 40 days of this season. Some pieces are inspired by feast days and Gospel readings, while others capture the discernment of the season. LINK
From College of the Holy Cross: "Return to Me" Daily Lenten Reflections
Sign up to receive a daily email from the faculty, staff and clergy at Holy Cross college in Massachusetts. LINK. Or, download the reflection packet HERE.
From Busted Halo: Lenten "MicroChallenge"
Check in each day for an easy-to-do, yet thought provoking "MicroChallenge" from the team at BustedHalo.com. Click HERE.
From the Augustinians: "Walking with Augustine through Lent"
Daily reflections using the writings of St. Augustine. LINK
From CERC (The Catholic Education Resource Foundation): "Forty for 40: A Literary Reader for Lent"
Originally published in 2015, Nick Ripatrazone offers 40 stories, poems, essays, and books for the 40 days of this season. Some pieces are inspired by feast days and Gospel readings, while others capture the discernment of the season. LINK
From College of the Holy Cross: "Return to Me" Daily Lenten Reflections
Sign up to receive a daily email from the faculty, staff and clergy at Holy Cross college in Massachusetts. LINK. Or, download the reflection packet HERE.
Meditations
Lenten Poetry: All About Mary
From the University of Dayton, Lenten poems with a focus on the Blessed Mother. LINK.
My Beloved Son: Meditations for Lent from Bishop Robert Barron (on FORMED.ORG)
Bishop Robert Barron offers five sermons on the spiritual discipline we must cultivate in the Lenten season, a discipline centered on Christ. These meditations cover topics such as finding our identity in God, prayer as the key to mission, our thirst for God, how to end our alienation from God, and how to embrace the way of happiness joyfully. LINK
Lenten Poetry: All About Mary
From the University of Dayton, Lenten poems with a focus on the Blessed Mother. LINK.
My Beloved Son: Meditations for Lent from Bishop Robert Barron (on FORMED.ORG)
Bishop Robert Barron offers five sermons on the spiritual discipline we must cultivate in the Lenten season, a discipline centered on Christ. These meditations cover topics such as finding our identity in God, prayer as the key to mission, our thirst for God, how to end our alienation from God, and how to embrace the way of happiness joyfully. LINK
Kids and Families
Let's Learn About Lent: Brother Francis (on FORMED.ORG)
10 minute video from Brother Francis. Great for the whole family! LINK
Ignatian Spirituality with your Family
Two Simple Ways to Add God into your Family Routine LINK
Songs to Journey with Jesus during Lent
A Lenten Sing-A-Long with Treasured Catholic Composer John Burland (Composer of SBS First Reconciliation Favorite "My Shepherd") and Miss Heidi - host of the weekly "Children's Liturgy of the Word" LINK
Lent Crafts & Activities
- From Catholic Inspired LINK
- From Catholic Icing LINK
Praying in Color
Beautiful templates for praying visually during Lent. A wonderful resource for kinesthetic learners, doodlers, kids, teens and adults.
- Templates here LINK
- Instructions here PDF
Bake....Pretzels During Lent? Yes!
- Article "Pretzels for God: Lent & the Pretzel" LINK
- Recipe from Catholic Icing LINK
- Recipe from Catholic Foodie LINK
Just for Teens: 40 Ways in 40 Ways
Staying Rooted in Prayer for Lent from LifeTeen LINK
Lenten Music Playlist
A wide variety of songs from traditional choral to Elvis to Matt Maher.
(Free...or load it from Spotify) LINK
Lenten Quiz - How Much do you Know about Lent?
Test your knowledge of our Catholic traditions! LINK
Meatless Recipes
Many ideas from around the world - to be in solidarity with our brothers and sisters served by Catholic Relief Services. LINK.
10 minute video from Brother Francis. Great for the whole family! LINK
Ignatian Spirituality with your Family
Two Simple Ways to Add God into your Family Routine LINK
Songs to Journey with Jesus during Lent
A Lenten Sing-A-Long with Treasured Catholic Composer John Burland (Composer of SBS First Reconciliation Favorite "My Shepherd") and Miss Heidi - host of the weekly "Children's Liturgy of the Word" LINK
Lent Crafts & Activities
- From Catholic Inspired LINK
- From Catholic Icing LINK
Praying in Color
Beautiful templates for praying visually during Lent. A wonderful resource for kinesthetic learners, doodlers, kids, teens and adults.
- Templates here LINK
- Instructions here PDF
Bake....Pretzels During Lent? Yes!
- Article "Pretzels for God: Lent & the Pretzel" LINK
- Recipe from Catholic Icing LINK
- Recipe from Catholic Foodie LINK
Just for Teens: 40 Ways in 40 Ways
Staying Rooted in Prayer for Lent from LifeTeen LINK
Lenten Music Playlist
A wide variety of songs from traditional choral to Elvis to Matt Maher.
(Free...or load it from Spotify) LINK
Lenten Quiz - How Much do you Know about Lent?
Test your knowledge of our Catholic traditions! LINK
Meatless Recipes
Many ideas from around the world - to be in solidarity with our brothers and sisters served by Catholic Relief Services. LINK.
Articles about Lent & the Sacrament of Reconciliation
"How the Irish Changed Penance"
By John Rodden in Commonweal. LINK
The sacrament as we know it today....is thanks to Irish monks!
"How to Receive God's Forgiveness"
By Sr. Ann Shields, via CatholicLife LINK
"Take Yourself out of Lent"
From Fr. Robert Mc Teigue, SJ in Aleteia LINK
"Do Good People Need Confession?"
America Magazine LINK
By John Rodden in Commonweal. LINK
The sacrament as we know it today....is thanks to Irish monks!
"How to Receive God's Forgiveness"
By Sr. Ann Shields, via CatholicLife LINK
"Take Yourself out of Lent"
From Fr. Robert Mc Teigue, SJ in Aleteia LINK
"Do Good People Need Confession?"
America Magazine LINK
