For Feb 20, 2026, Friday after Ash Wednesday
There is a common frustration in the spiritual life: Why do we keep confessing the same list of sins over and over again? From anger and resentment to judging others, it often feels like we are stuck in a cycle of nasty habits. Father Tom reminds us that the call to "Repent and believe in the Gospel" is not just about a temporary pause on guilty pleasures (like giving up chocolate only to binge on Easter). True repentance is a condition of the heart—a permanent renewal that casts off the old self to put on a new mantle of hope, peace, and justice. Join us to learn how to make this Lent not just a break from bad habits, but the start of a "new you." **Timeline:** 0:00 Welcome from St. Pius V Parish, Chicago 0:17 The Frustration of Recurring Sins 0:32 The "Same Old List" in Confession 0:44 The Meaning of "Repent and Believe" 0:58 Repentance as a Renewal of Heart 1:17 Beyond the "Chocolate" Sacrifice 1:29 Seeking a New Attitude 1:40 Putting on a Mantle of Hope and Justice 1:50 Making Lent a New Beginning 2:07 Blessing for Your Lenten Practices **Hashtags:** #AWordOfHope #Lent2026 #CatholicConfession #Repentance #SpiritualGrowth #FrTomLynch #DominicanFriars #NewBeginning #StPiusVChicago #CatholicFaith #Renewal #dailyreflection