300-Parishioners received the Sacrament of Reconciliation & Holy Communion

Narowal (Fr. Lazar Aslam OFM Cap.): On February 4, 2021 St. Paul’s Catholic Church arranged the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Holy Communion. Commemorating the tradition of the old missionary Fathers nearly 300 children and adults participated,. These children belonged to the substations of St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Narowal and they were mentored by Catechists and Sunday school teachers.

The program commenced with the Sacrament of Reconciliation, followed by the Sacrament of Holy Communion. On this occasion, the solemn Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Rev. Fr. Afzal Iqbal OFM Cap the parish priest of St. Paul’s Catholic Church. Con-celebrants Fr. Babar Shahzad OFM Cap and Fr. Lazar Aslam OFM Cap.

In his homily, Rev. Fr. Afzal Iqbal OFM Cap said, “These Sacraments have been instituted by Jesus Christ himself. He imparted His power, for forgiveness of sins, to his Apostles.”

He continued, “Our Lord also gave them the authority to reconcile sinners to the Church.”

This ecclesial dimension of their task is expressed most notably in Christ’s solemn words to Simon Peter:
“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Therefore, the office of binding and loosing which was given to Peter was also assigned to the college of the Apostles who are united to its head. He also empowered His disciples and that power was transmitted to the priests.

He further said,” We all want to meet Jesus. We strive to have a closer friendship with Him. We want to have more of Him in our lives. So, we have to come to the right place. The best place to meet Jesus is in the Eucharist. Jesus tells us how we can have a closer relationship with Him citing from the book of John “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.”(6:56)

He appreciated and encouraged his companion priests Fr. Babar Shahzad OFM Cap, Fr. Lazar Aslam OFM Cap along with the Catechists and Sunday school teachers. After receiving these sacraments the children and adults were extremely happy. As the event came to a close, the participants were served with refreshments.