There are brochures and prayer cards at the entrances to the Church of St. Mary offering information about Divine Mercy Sunday. As followers of our Risen Lord, may we continue to practice the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. As we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday may the following questions, brought to prayer, guide us in God's mercy. Where do you most experience mercy in your life? Where do you pray that mercy may be shared in your life? How do you trust in God's redeeming and merciful love and share mercy? Is there a relationship, situation, experience where you are not merciful? To whom has God sent you with the gift of mercy? How has God shown mercy to you? In addition to the Masses celebrated at St. Mary's, you are invited to a Mass and Holy Hour at St. Patrick's Sunday afternoon. See information and details in today's bulletin.
Saturday was a very special moment for our children receiving their First Holy Communion. We give thanks for the faith shared in their home and in the Church of St. Mary. May the children receiving communion for the first time on Saturday, April 27 find strength, nourishment and grace in the sacrament of the Eucharist throughout their lives.
Grandparents, godparents, family members, and friends come to share in the joy of our celebration of First Holy Communion. The celebration of the Eucharist is to be the "source and summit" of our lives as Catholics. May our young children, filled with the joy of the Lord on their First Communion day, find strength, hope, and nourishment at the table of the Lord throughout their lives.
May our celebrations during the 50 days of Easter affirm within us our awareness of the need to come together in community, to come together in thanksgiving, to come together to be nourished, and to be sent forth into our world to live, share and proclaim Resurrection life in Jesus Christ.
Thank you to all who made a generous offertory contribution to the Church of St. Mary this Easter. Your faithful support is gratefully appreciated by the lives that are touched through the many ministries at our parish.
A friend shared the following reflection with me. I believe it was penned by the very popular 'anonymous:'
While praying one day a woman asked, "Who are you, God?" God answered, "I AM." "But who is I AM?" she asked. God replied, "I am love, I am peace, I am grace, I am joy, I am strength, I am safety, I am shelter, I am power, I am creator, I am comforter, I am the beginning and the end. I am the way, the truth and the light." With tears in her eyes she looked to heaven and said, "Now I understand. But, who am I?" God tenderly wiped the tears from her eyes and whispered, "You are mine."
God bless you and your loved ones celebrating and living Easter hope.
