Divine Mercy Sunday

My Dear Friends in Christ, 

Today’s first reading gives us a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our Christian communal life. Are we checking in with friends and family? Are we dropping off food or supplies on door steps like the early Christians who would “divide them among all according to each one’s need”? Are we using this time to eat our “meals with exultation and sincerity of heart”? Are we praising God even in the midst of these uncertain times? 

As we celebrate the second Sunday of Easter, we also hear about Jesus’ first post-resurrection appearance to the apostles. His first words to them were, “Peace be with you”. They were seeing Jesus in his glorified body standing in the room with them. I am certain they were frightened and amazed at this sight. Jesus offered them forgiveness and hope. “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” Through these words comes the commission of the Church to forgive sins in the name of God. We can thank God for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. 

This Sunday is Divine Mercy Sunday when the Divine Floodgates from Heaven are opened wide and Jesus offers total forgiveness of all sins and punishment to any soul who goes to Confession and receives Him in Holy Communion on this day. Due to the current limitations and our inability to participate in the sacraments today, there are revised guidelines for how to receive those graces. Please take the time to read through the information and prayers in this bulletin designed to help you pray and keep the Divine Mercy celebrations. 

Fr. Melwin and I will pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament at 2:30 pm and the final day of the novena prayers at 3 pm. We will offer your intentions before God at this time. We con-tinue to hold you and your family in prayer until we see one another again. 

Father Gilbert Mascarenhas, SAC 
Pastor