Divine Mercy Sunday

My dear friends in Christ,

Today we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday. Sr. Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun, was God’s instrument to proclaim Divine Mercy toward every human being. Sr. Faustina was inspired by a vision in which Jesus told her that a painting should be made of his image with the invocation "Jesus, I trust in You." She commissioned the painting in 1935. Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, then Archbishop of Krakow who would become St. Pope John Paul II, began Sr. Faustina's process of beatification. At her canonization in 2000, the Pope designated the Second Sunday of Easter to be Divine Mercy Sunday. The Pope's final days coincided with the Church's preparation to celebrate the feast he described as flowing from Christ's "most profound mercy," and which the Lord himself established. Why did Pope John Paul II so strongly recommend that we pay heed to the Divine Mercy message and devotion given to the world through St. Faustina? Clearly, he did so because he saw it as more than just a collection of "private revelations"; rather, he saw them as prophetic revelations. In other words, revelations given to us by God to proclaim the heart of the Gospel in a way especially suited to meet the needs of our era. So when you are having doubts or are faced with difficult situations don’t despair—simply pause— have faith and say “Jesus, I trust in you.”

The weekend of April 14th and 15th, we will have our Ministry Fair. All ministries of our parish will be represented after all the Masses in Bogdan Hall. Tables will be set up with information and representatives from each ministry will be available to explain the respective parish ministry and answer your questions. The Knights of Columbus will also have their Family Breakfast. More details next week.

May God bless you all!

Father John