Newsletter - 12 April
Divine Mercy Sunday
"Give praise to the Lord, for he is good, his mercy endures for ever!" (Ps 118:1)
The Second Sunday of Easter is also called "Divine Mercy Sunday."
Sr. Faustina Kowalska is witness and messenger of the Lord's merciful love. Jesus said to her one day: "Humanity will never find peace until it turns with trust to Divine Mercy" (Diary, p. 132). Divine Mercy! This is the Easter gift that the Church receives from the risen Christ and offers to humanity. On the Gospel of John our Master transmits to the fearful, astounded disciples the mission of being ministers of divine Mercy. He shows them His hands and His side and tells them: "As the Father has sent me, even so I send you" . Immediately afterwards "he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained" (Jn 20: 22-23).
Jesus entrusted to them the gift of "forgiving sins," a gift that flows from the wounds in His hands, His feet, and especially from His pierced side.His "Sacred Heart" has given men everything: redemption, salvation, sanctification. St. Faustina Kowalska saw coming from this Heart two rays of light which illuminated the world. "The two rays," according to what Jesus himself told her, "represent the blood and the water" (Diary, p. 132). The blood recalls the sacrifice of Golgotha and the mystery of the Eucharist; the water makes us think of Baptism and the Gift of the Holy Spirit (cf. Jn 3: 5; 4: 14).
"Jesus, I trust in you." This prayer, clearly expresses the attitude with which we too would like to abandon ourselves trustfully in your hands, O Lord, our only Saviour.
You are burning with the desire to be loved and those in tune with the sentiments of Your heart learn how to build the new civilisation of love. A simple act of abandonment is enough to overcome the barriers of darkness and sorrow, of doubt and desperation. The rays of Your divine mercy restore hope, in a special way, to those who feel overwhelmed by the burden of sin.
Mary, Mother of Mercy, help us always to have this trust in your Son, our Redeemer.
Help us too, St. Faustina, whom we remember today with special affection. Fixing our weak gaze on the divine Saviour's face, we would like to repeat with you: "Jesus, I trust in you." Now and for ever. Amen.
April 22, 2001 Divine Mercy Sunday, Homily by Pope St. John Paul II
Focus of the week
ADORATION & CONFESSION
Monday – Friday 6 – 7pm
If you would like confession please speak to Fr Pascal or
Fr Georges.
PRAY AND PLAY
The first Sunday of each month
11am – 1pm
Pray: Meet at 11am Mass includes special animations for children.
Play: After Mass - enjoy a time of games, crafts and other family friendly activities.
Volunteers welcome.
Notices of the Week
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